Photo by: Sydney Stevenson/Texas A&M Athletics
CFP First Round Press Conference Quotes: Offense
Dec 15, 2025 | Football
Mario Craver, Rueben Owens II, KC Concepcion and Dametrious Crownover met the press on Monday at the Aggies' offensive press conference for the College Football Playoff First Round matchup with Miami.
Coach Elko just said that Holmon Wiggins is going to be the new offensive coordinator. What's that mean to you guys as the two receivers on the podium, and just kind of the impact he had on y'all coming here and the impact he's had on the offense this season?
MARIO CRAVER: Definitely looking forward to it next season. It has always been a goal of his so I'm very proud of him.
KC CONCEPCION: That's definitely an accomplishment for Coach Wiggins. He comes in every day the same way, high energy, and he's going to give us his all. So I'm happy and excited for him to finally be in that role.
Rueben, obviously one of the goals was to get here. Have you allowed yourself to kind of enjoy the fact that you're here? Obviously you want to win the whole thing, but have you been able to take a moment and just go we're the team that that finally broke through and made this thing happen?
RUEBEN OWENS: Yeah. I'm really excited to be here. I mean, this opportunity only comes a while because there's a lot of good teams in the nation, but I'm glad that me and my boys were able to get it done for the 12th Man and for us.
How has your game changed from week one to now and then how do you personally elevate it against an NFL like defense like Miami's?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: From week one to now, I think it's just a trust in my game that has allowed me to play the way I play. And getting ready for a team like Miami, It's not about who's going to play the hardest or be the hardest, it'll be about who knows what their job is and can execute.
KC CONCEPCION: I would say something that that has got better for me is my confidence coming from game one to game 13.
RUEBEN OWENS: I'd say from week one to now me trusting my blockers, being more patient. Week one, week two, around that time I was more in a rush because I was coming off the injury and itching to make a big play. I'd just say my patience has got better throughout the weeks.
MARIO CRAVER: From week one to now, I learned to just become a leader when things are not going right. There's a couple times this season where I didn't get what I want, but the offense got what we needed to do. And I think me just being able to just play my role and focus on my role helped me.
Wondered for all you guys if you could talk about Marcel Reed and his leadership and how you've seen him grow this year?
MARIO CRAVER: Marcel, he's grown a lot. He's become more of a vocal leader. I'd say in the beginning of the season he really wasn't that. I think he's gained a lot of confidence. He knows he's the guy, and we're ready to play behind him.
RUEBEN OWENS: So me coming in with Marcel, from freshman year to now, Marcel has gotten way more mature. He knows ball more now than he did before. And basically what Mario said--he's become more of a leader.
KC CONCEPCION: This is my first year with Marcel, but just saw him growing up, being able to read the defensive coverages, and then like Mario said just becoming a better vocal leader. Because you are the quarterback of the entire team and we are only going to go as far as Marcel takes us.
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: I'm on the offensive line, so knowing that he can sit comfortable there and just knowing that he can put us in the right position to block the people we need to block. I think he's just grown tremendously as a player and I think he's going to continue to grow.
Miami has a very, very good record against the run. Do you guys kind of take that personally and how do you approach a defense that has kind of made its bones stopping the running game?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: As an offensive line, we know what we have to do. We have to know our job. We have to know the game plan. I think as long as we go into the game and execute the game plan that our coaches have given us, I think we'll be perfectly fine.
RUEBEN OWENS: I know my guys, they're ready for the challenge. It's been like that a couple games. Mizzou game, they said they had a good run defense and we put up over 200 rushing yards. So I just feel that we just align, do our assignment, put effort in…we'll get the job done.
Dametrious, obviously Trey (Zuhn) got some attention for the comments he said last week. As a running mate on the offensive line with him, when you hear something like that, is that something that you kind of get fired up about? And is that something kind of--not necessarily that specific--but you echo that type of confidence and sentiment there?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: Yeah. I mean, I know as offensive line, we're ready to do our job. And I think that's what Trey was speaking on. It's just the fact that we know what we're capable of. And if we go out there and do what we're capable of, we'll be perfectly fine.
Mario, after being banged up of there for a few weeks last month, just how do you feel now and how good was it for you to have kind of those few weeks off?
MARIO CRAVER: It's been great. Me getting back to 100 percent and back to my full speed is going to help this offense a lot. And this team knows that, all my teammates know that. I'm glad to be back out there at 100 percent.
KC, in case this is the last time we talk to you, have you made a decision yet on whether you're going pro or coming back for next year?
KC CONCEPCION: I have not made a decision yet.
What kind of goes into that decision for you?
KC CONCEPCION: Talking with my coaches, talking with my parents. We're going to put our trust in God, and whatever He has in in store for my future, we're going to go like that.
KC, You've already earned some individual awards, some All-Americans. What does that mean to you, especially doing it and doing it here?
KC CONCEPCION: I would say that it means a lot doing it here inside of the SEC, upon a bigger stage than where I came from. But to me, the job is not finished. Me and my teammates, we still have our eyes set on the national championship. So whenever the season is over, I will sit back and think about all of that stuff. But for right now, we are focused on winning."
And for you individually when you think back of getting recruited to A&M, is there a moment you think back of talking with Coach Wiggins that you kind of realize hey, this is the guy I want to coach me?
KC CONCEPCION: For sure. This was actually my last visit that I came to, talking with Wiggins and talking with Coach Klein, those guys talked to me and told me that they wanted me here. And then as the season is winding down, now I can finally see why they had wanted me to come here and play at Texas A&M.
Dametrious, how do you let the moment not get too big or maybe get too excited for the game?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: I think you have to let it get a little exciting before you can calm yourself down, because going out there and just being like I've got to do this, I've got to do that and just being super tight, it puts more stress. When you walk in the stadium, you take those moments like, man, we are here, we get to play this game, and then as the game goes closer and closer you start to settle down and lock into what you've got to do.
Mario, I understand it's early prep week, but is there anything that stands out about Miami's secondary just from watching them on film?
MARIO CRAVER: They're very physical and they're great in the back half. I look forward to this matchup.
Starting with Reuben and Dametrious, you guys have been here in College Station for your entire college career. What does it mean for you guys to kind of be the building blocks for what A&M becomes starting this year?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: Starting from our freshman year to now, just realizing what we've went through and how far we've come, it means a lot. Every game you go into the 12th Man is still sitting there cheering you on no matter what's going on. To me that just means a lot.
RUEBEN OWENS: Basically, the same thing. My freshman year to now, things weren't the best, you know. But I'd say most of us stuck together, we stayed at A&M, and then we just believed in Coach Elko and what he wanted to do. And then it all worked out. Year two, we're in the playoffs.
And then KC and Mario, this is your first year here. What does it mean for you guys to come here, immediately make an impact and make this team a championship-caliber team?
MARIO CRAVER: This is a dream of mine. I always wanted to play in the SEC and become this type of player. So it's just definitely just a 360 moment for me, coming in here and just seeing his vision and being able to do this.
Dametrious, as one of the OGs in the locker room, you've been here for a while. And this is an epic season. I know the Texas loss was disappointing but as one of the leaders, what do you say to the younger guys to let them know that there's bigger fish to fry? You guys could win a national championship.
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: Like you said, it was a rough loss, and you hate to lose that game, but we've got hopefully four more games left. We can't afford the time to sit and sulk. We had our time off to sit and sulk about it, and now we've got to go win a national championship.
I'm sure there's a lot, but what's the number one thing y'all will have to do on Saturday if you want to win?
MARIO CRAVER: Just be consistent and trust our game plan.
KC CONCEPCION: I would just say be physical.
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: Just communication with everybody. As long as we're talking to each other, staying on the same page, we'll be fine.
KC and Mario, when you guys came here in the offseason, did you foresee the passing game going the way it did?
KC CONCEPCION: See, that was the talk of us actually getting here. They had wanted to expand the passing game. They had wanted to bring guys in that could get open and separate and stretch the field vertically. I personally don't think that it's a surprise what we have done on offense. All of us knew that we could do it, we just had to go out there and actually do it.
MARIO CRAVER: Yeah, we just knew when you get a lot of special guys in the room, guys like me, Ash (Bethel-Roman), KC, T-Bus (Terry Bussey), a lot of special guys, and the backfield like we have? It's hard to go wrong, honestly.
Rueben, obviously we already asked about Marcel Reed and his development. But you're one of his closest friends on the team. Personally as a friend, what kind of growth have you seen from him as he's kind of grown into the face of this program?
RUEBEN OWENS: When Marcel first got here he was a shy guy. I wouldn't say he didn't talk to no one, but he stayed back. He was laid back. But now I see him becoming a starting quarterback, becoming at basically that dude in College Station. He's more outgoing now. He talks to everyone on team, he doesn't just talk to the receivers or the running backs. Marcel talks to everyone. He dances around the locker room. He's a funny guy. So I'd say he's grown a lot.
Rueben, if and when Le'Veon can return, what would that add to this offense and can you sense how eager he is maybe to get back out on the field?
RUEBEN OWENS: When Lev returns it's going to add an extra spark to the offense. Lev's really explosive. And then with these guys being able to get open on the outside, me and Lev will be able to open more on the inside.
And then for Mario, I know you've talked about your relationship with Coach Wiggins in the past. When you saw that there was going to be an offensive coordinator opening, did you go and vouch for him? And how'd you guys find out that he was going to be the offensive coordinator moving forward?
MARIO CRAVER: That was definitely a big decision for us going forward, and me just telling (Coach) Elko that's the guy that I wanted to run the offense and I think that he could take the keys and put us in a position that we wanted to be. And also I trust Elko to make the right decision. I'm just happy for Coach Wiggins.
How did y'all find out that he was going to be the guy?
MARIO CRAVER: He actually told me.
KC, you've quickly become a fan favorite to a lot here. What has your journey meant this season and what has it been like really feeling the embrace of the 12th Man?
KC CONCEPCION: Man. It's been crazy. We are nothing without our support system, without our fans, without everybody coming to the games and cheering us on. So whenever I can, whenever I have the time, I try and always interact with any and every fan I can interact with because you never know how you can change somebody's day, change somebody's life by just simply having an interaction with them.
A video resurfaced this week of a couple of the Hurricane players that were here the last time they came to Kyle Field and they said how crazy it was that they had never experienced anything like it. Can each one of you guys talk about what you expect the crowd to be like on Saturday?
MARIO CRAVER: Last game in College Station, I expect to be very exciting. And we're going to come put on a show for y'all.
RUEBEN OWENS: For a playoff game, Kyle Field, it's going to be electric. And I already know, even though it will be an 11 a.m. kickoff, it'll still be turnt up in there. So I'm ready.
KC CONCEPCION: Whenever I had first got here, my first game was crazy. I've never seen anything like that. And then we have a playoff game here? I already know that it's going to be crazy. It's gonna be amazing.
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: You definitely know it's going to be a packed out game for us. Kyle Field, first playoff game, I think it's going to be an exciting one to watch.
Coach Elko just said that Holmon Wiggins is going to be the new offensive coordinator. What's that mean to you guys as the two receivers on the podium, and just kind of the impact he had on y'all coming here and the impact he's had on the offense this season?
MARIO CRAVER: Definitely looking forward to it next season. It has always been a goal of his so I'm very proud of him.
KC CONCEPCION: That's definitely an accomplishment for Coach Wiggins. He comes in every day the same way, high energy, and he's going to give us his all. So I'm happy and excited for him to finally be in that role.
Rueben, obviously one of the goals was to get here. Have you allowed yourself to kind of enjoy the fact that you're here? Obviously you want to win the whole thing, but have you been able to take a moment and just go we're the team that that finally broke through and made this thing happen?
RUEBEN OWENS: Yeah. I'm really excited to be here. I mean, this opportunity only comes a while because there's a lot of good teams in the nation, but I'm glad that me and my boys were able to get it done for the 12th Man and for us.
How has your game changed from week one to now and then how do you personally elevate it against an NFL like defense like Miami's?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: From week one to now, I think it's just a trust in my game that has allowed me to play the way I play. And getting ready for a team like Miami, It's not about who's going to play the hardest or be the hardest, it'll be about who knows what their job is and can execute.
KC CONCEPCION: I would say something that that has got better for me is my confidence coming from game one to game 13.
RUEBEN OWENS: I'd say from week one to now me trusting my blockers, being more patient. Week one, week two, around that time I was more in a rush because I was coming off the injury and itching to make a big play. I'd just say my patience has got better throughout the weeks.
MARIO CRAVER: From week one to now, I learned to just become a leader when things are not going right. There's a couple times this season where I didn't get what I want, but the offense got what we needed to do. And I think me just being able to just play my role and focus on my role helped me.
Wondered for all you guys if you could talk about Marcel Reed and his leadership and how you've seen him grow this year?
MARIO CRAVER: Marcel, he's grown a lot. He's become more of a vocal leader. I'd say in the beginning of the season he really wasn't that. I think he's gained a lot of confidence. He knows he's the guy, and we're ready to play behind him.
RUEBEN OWENS: So me coming in with Marcel, from freshman year to now, Marcel has gotten way more mature. He knows ball more now than he did before. And basically what Mario said--he's become more of a leader.
KC CONCEPCION: This is my first year with Marcel, but just saw him growing up, being able to read the defensive coverages, and then like Mario said just becoming a better vocal leader. Because you are the quarterback of the entire team and we are only going to go as far as Marcel takes us.
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: I'm on the offensive line, so knowing that he can sit comfortable there and just knowing that he can put us in the right position to block the people we need to block. I think he's just grown tremendously as a player and I think he's going to continue to grow.
Miami has a very, very good record against the run. Do you guys kind of take that personally and how do you approach a defense that has kind of made its bones stopping the running game?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: As an offensive line, we know what we have to do. We have to know our job. We have to know the game plan. I think as long as we go into the game and execute the game plan that our coaches have given us, I think we'll be perfectly fine.
RUEBEN OWENS: I know my guys, they're ready for the challenge. It's been like that a couple games. Mizzou game, they said they had a good run defense and we put up over 200 rushing yards. So I just feel that we just align, do our assignment, put effort in…we'll get the job done.
Dametrious, obviously Trey (Zuhn) got some attention for the comments he said last week. As a running mate on the offensive line with him, when you hear something like that, is that something that you kind of get fired up about? And is that something kind of--not necessarily that specific--but you echo that type of confidence and sentiment there?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: Yeah. I mean, I know as offensive line, we're ready to do our job. And I think that's what Trey was speaking on. It's just the fact that we know what we're capable of. And if we go out there and do what we're capable of, we'll be perfectly fine.
Mario, after being banged up of there for a few weeks last month, just how do you feel now and how good was it for you to have kind of those few weeks off?
MARIO CRAVER: It's been great. Me getting back to 100 percent and back to my full speed is going to help this offense a lot. And this team knows that, all my teammates know that. I'm glad to be back out there at 100 percent.
KC, in case this is the last time we talk to you, have you made a decision yet on whether you're going pro or coming back for next year?
KC CONCEPCION: I have not made a decision yet.
What kind of goes into that decision for you?
KC CONCEPCION: Talking with my coaches, talking with my parents. We're going to put our trust in God, and whatever He has in in store for my future, we're going to go like that.
KC, You've already earned some individual awards, some All-Americans. What does that mean to you, especially doing it and doing it here?
KC CONCEPCION: I would say that it means a lot doing it here inside of the SEC, upon a bigger stage than where I came from. But to me, the job is not finished. Me and my teammates, we still have our eyes set on the national championship. So whenever the season is over, I will sit back and think about all of that stuff. But for right now, we are focused on winning."
And for you individually when you think back of getting recruited to A&M, is there a moment you think back of talking with Coach Wiggins that you kind of realize hey, this is the guy I want to coach me?
KC CONCEPCION: For sure. This was actually my last visit that I came to, talking with Wiggins and talking with Coach Klein, those guys talked to me and told me that they wanted me here. And then as the season is winding down, now I can finally see why they had wanted me to come here and play at Texas A&M.
Dametrious, how do you let the moment not get too big or maybe get too excited for the game?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: I think you have to let it get a little exciting before you can calm yourself down, because going out there and just being like I've got to do this, I've got to do that and just being super tight, it puts more stress. When you walk in the stadium, you take those moments like, man, we are here, we get to play this game, and then as the game goes closer and closer you start to settle down and lock into what you've got to do.
Mario, I understand it's early prep week, but is there anything that stands out about Miami's secondary just from watching them on film?
MARIO CRAVER: They're very physical and they're great in the back half. I look forward to this matchup.
Starting with Reuben and Dametrious, you guys have been here in College Station for your entire college career. What does it mean for you guys to kind of be the building blocks for what A&M becomes starting this year?
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: Starting from our freshman year to now, just realizing what we've went through and how far we've come, it means a lot. Every game you go into the 12th Man is still sitting there cheering you on no matter what's going on. To me that just means a lot.
RUEBEN OWENS: Basically, the same thing. My freshman year to now, things weren't the best, you know. But I'd say most of us stuck together, we stayed at A&M, and then we just believed in Coach Elko and what he wanted to do. And then it all worked out. Year two, we're in the playoffs.
And then KC and Mario, this is your first year here. What does it mean for you guys to come here, immediately make an impact and make this team a championship-caliber team?
MARIO CRAVER: This is a dream of mine. I always wanted to play in the SEC and become this type of player. So it's just definitely just a 360 moment for me, coming in here and just seeing his vision and being able to do this.
Dametrious, as one of the OGs in the locker room, you've been here for a while. And this is an epic season. I know the Texas loss was disappointing but as one of the leaders, what do you say to the younger guys to let them know that there's bigger fish to fry? You guys could win a national championship.
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: Like you said, it was a rough loss, and you hate to lose that game, but we've got hopefully four more games left. We can't afford the time to sit and sulk. We had our time off to sit and sulk about it, and now we've got to go win a national championship.
I'm sure there's a lot, but what's the number one thing y'all will have to do on Saturday if you want to win?
MARIO CRAVER: Just be consistent and trust our game plan.
KC CONCEPCION: I would just say be physical.
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: Just communication with everybody. As long as we're talking to each other, staying on the same page, we'll be fine.
KC and Mario, when you guys came here in the offseason, did you foresee the passing game going the way it did?
KC CONCEPCION: See, that was the talk of us actually getting here. They had wanted to expand the passing game. They had wanted to bring guys in that could get open and separate and stretch the field vertically. I personally don't think that it's a surprise what we have done on offense. All of us knew that we could do it, we just had to go out there and actually do it.
MARIO CRAVER: Yeah, we just knew when you get a lot of special guys in the room, guys like me, Ash (Bethel-Roman), KC, T-Bus (Terry Bussey), a lot of special guys, and the backfield like we have? It's hard to go wrong, honestly.
Rueben, obviously we already asked about Marcel Reed and his development. But you're one of his closest friends on the team. Personally as a friend, what kind of growth have you seen from him as he's kind of grown into the face of this program?
RUEBEN OWENS: When Marcel first got here he was a shy guy. I wouldn't say he didn't talk to no one, but he stayed back. He was laid back. But now I see him becoming a starting quarterback, becoming at basically that dude in College Station. He's more outgoing now. He talks to everyone on team, he doesn't just talk to the receivers or the running backs. Marcel talks to everyone. He dances around the locker room. He's a funny guy. So I'd say he's grown a lot.
Rueben, if and when Le'Veon can return, what would that add to this offense and can you sense how eager he is maybe to get back out on the field?
RUEBEN OWENS: When Lev returns it's going to add an extra spark to the offense. Lev's really explosive. And then with these guys being able to get open on the outside, me and Lev will be able to open more on the inside.
And then for Mario, I know you've talked about your relationship with Coach Wiggins in the past. When you saw that there was going to be an offensive coordinator opening, did you go and vouch for him? And how'd you guys find out that he was going to be the offensive coordinator moving forward?
MARIO CRAVER: That was definitely a big decision for us going forward, and me just telling (Coach) Elko that's the guy that I wanted to run the offense and I think that he could take the keys and put us in a position that we wanted to be. And also I trust Elko to make the right decision. I'm just happy for Coach Wiggins.
How did y'all find out that he was going to be the guy?
MARIO CRAVER: He actually told me.
KC, you've quickly become a fan favorite to a lot here. What has your journey meant this season and what has it been like really feeling the embrace of the 12th Man?
KC CONCEPCION: Man. It's been crazy. We are nothing without our support system, without our fans, without everybody coming to the games and cheering us on. So whenever I can, whenever I have the time, I try and always interact with any and every fan I can interact with because you never know how you can change somebody's day, change somebody's life by just simply having an interaction with them.
A video resurfaced this week of a couple of the Hurricane players that were here the last time they came to Kyle Field and they said how crazy it was that they had never experienced anything like it. Can each one of you guys talk about what you expect the crowd to be like on Saturday?
MARIO CRAVER: Last game in College Station, I expect to be very exciting. And we're going to come put on a show for y'all.
RUEBEN OWENS: For a playoff game, Kyle Field, it's going to be electric. And I already know, even though it will be an 11 a.m. kickoff, it'll still be turnt up in there. So I'm ready.
KC CONCEPCION: Whenever I had first got here, my first game was crazy. I've never seen anything like that. And then we have a playoff game here? I already know that it's going to be crazy. It's gonna be amazing.
DAMETRIOUS CROWNOVER: You definitely know it's going to be a packed out game for us. Kyle Field, first playoff game, I think it's going to be an exciting one to watch.
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