Texas A&M entered this week on a six-game winning streak, looking to extend their undefeated SEC run against No. 8 LSU. With the top spot in the SEC on the line, this game had all the elements of an incredible matchup.
A&M demonstrated grit, physicality and composure and pulled off a 38-23 victory that underscored the team’s depth and resilience. Trailing at halftime, the Aggies ignited in the second half, scoring 31 points and leaving no doubt about their ability to contend against formidable SEC competition.
Here’s an in-depth look at how this game evolved from an LSU advantage to an Aggie showcase and what it means for A&M moving forward.
The Good
Offensive Spark — the arrival of Marcel Reed: The redshirt freshman’s breakout was exactly what the Aggies needed. At halftime, A&M had only seven points, and it was clear the offense was struggling to find rhythm. While Conner Weigman worked to create opportunities, LSU’s defense effectively stifled momentum. With A&M down 17-7 midway through the third quarter, Mike Elko and Collin Klein made the call to bring in Reed, and the effect was immediate.
Jamie Maury
Playing just the final 23 minutes of the game, Marcel Reed earned his second SEC Freshman of the Week honor for his relief performance in rallying back vs. LSU.
Reed’s first drive began just after BJ Mayes intercepted LSU, sparking a surge of energy at Kyle Field. Reed capitalized immediately, finding the end zone on the next play. His composure and intensity elevated the entire unit, going 2-for-2 through the air for 70 yards and adding nine rushes for 62 yards with three rushing touchdowns in a pivotal 23-minute span. The impact of his arrival was unmistakable as fans and players alike fed off his dynamic play. With Reed at the helm, the Aggies leaned heavily into the ground game, throwing only twice for the remainder of the contest. His dual-threat capability gave A&M a significant edge, with the offensive line and tight ends consistently creating space for Reed, Le’Veon Moss and Amari Daniels. This level of physicality and execution allowed the Aggies to repeatedly challenge LSU’s defense, making it one of their most dominant ground performances of the season.
The Aggie backfield — A three-headed beast: This game showcased just how special the Aggies’ backfield is. Moss, Daniels and now Reed are three elite runners with the ball in their hands. Daniels posted 91 yards on 12 carries. Moss added 83 yards and two touchdowns on 14 carries, and Reed scored three touchdowns on nine carries for 62 yards. To have three different players each run the ball 10 times and average over five yards per carry is exceptional. This backfield will create issues for opponents throughout the rest of the season, and with Klein leading this offense, I’m confident they’ll continue finding ways to dominate.
The deep strike to Noah Thomas: While Reed’s ground game set the pace, the deep bomb to Thomas for a 54-yard completion was a defining moment. Shortly after LSU scored to pull within one possession, Klein’s decision to take a deep shot was bold and brilliantly timed. Reed’s connection with Thomas came when LSU’s defense was expecting runs, throwing them off balance and putting A&M firmly in control. This play showed that the Aggies aren’t looking to play conservatively — they’re embracing a killer instinct not just to win games but to dominate them.
Defensive prowess — second-half adjustments: The Aggies’ defense deserves equal credit for this victory. LSU’s offense looked strong in the first half, putting up 288 yards and 17 points. But the A&M coaching staff made key adjustments at halftime, and the defense responded with a dominant second-half performance, holding LSU to just 163 yards and six points. Elko and Jay Bateman’s play-calling kept LSU off balance, employing a variety of pressures and coverage schemes that disrupted their rhythm. A&M forced three interceptions and registered two sacks in the second half, capitalizing on LSU’s mistakes and effectively shutting down their scoring efforts.
Jamie Maury
The Aggies sacked Garrett Nussmeier twice, with Nic Scourton being credited with 0.5 of a sack. Coming into the game, LSU had only allowed two sacks all year.
The defensive line delivers: A major storyline heading into the game was how A&M’s defensive line would match up against LSU’s highly-ranked offensive front. The Aggies’ front four rose to the occasion, limiting LSU to under 30 rushing yards while sacking Garrett Nussmeier twice. On the field, it was clear that the edge rushers’ battles with LSU’s tackles were among the most intense one-on-one matchups of the night. The defensive line’s ability to generate pressure allowed A&M to control the pace in the second half, as Nussmeier was forced into hurried throws, leading to three interceptions. Their dominance set the tone for the defense, allowing the Aggies to change the game’s trajectory.
The Bad
Despite the win, there were clear takeaways for the offense and defense to address.
Offensive struggles in the first half: A&M’s early offense struggled to establish the passing game, allowing LSU to focus on the run and hold the Aggies to just seven points on 142 total yards. The lack of scoring could have put the team in a much tougher spot had the defense not held firm. However, Reed’s entrance and dual-threat ability ultimately shifted the offensive momentum and allowed A&M to control the pace.
Defensive challenges in the first half: The defense initially struggled to consistently slow LSU’s potent passing game, and Nussmeier took advantage of his time in the pocket. LSU connected on several big plays, underscoring the challenges any defense faces against top-tier passing offenses. While the Aggies responded well in the second half, they’ll look to fine-tune their approach for future games.
Key Takeaways
This game was a test that many teams wouldn’t have been able to come back from, but the Aggies stood tall, facing adversity and rewriting the script against one of the nation’s best.
From offensive adjustments that broke through LSU’s defense to defensive takeaways that turned the tide, A&M displayed toughness, maturity and adaptability.
This wasn’t just a win — it was a statement.
The Aggies didn’t just keep up; they fought back to dominate, proving that under pressure, they’re a force that won’t back down. Every obstacle strengthens this team, setting the stage for even greater victories ahead. Next week won’t be easy, and now more than ever, we need to stay on the gas as we continue SEC play against South Carolina in Columbia.
The Aggies have made it to November as the top team in the conference, and this month is where great teams separate themselves from the rest of the pack.
Gig’Em and BTHO South Carolina.
