Eric Boggs 
Texas A&M defender with the sack on LSU quarterback.
Texas A&M defeats LSU 38-23 with a powerful second-half surge, led by freshman QB Marcel Reed, to remain unbeaten in SEC play. See how the Aggies dominated after halftime and what’s next for both teams.
In a classic Southeastern Conference battle at Kyle Field, Texas A&M turned the tables on LSU with a dominant second-half performance, claiming a 38-23 victory that kept them undefeated in SEC play. After LSU entered halftime with a 10-point lead, the Aggies made a game-changing switch at quarterback, inserting freshman Marcel Reed. The decision paid off, as Reed’s dynamic play and the Aggies’ lockdown defense upended the Tigers’ momentum.
LSU (6-2, 3-1 SEC) controlled the first half, with quarterback Garrett Nussmeier passing for 259 yards and two touchdowns. But in the third quarter, A&M head coach Mike Elko made the strategic move to bench starter Conner Weigman, who had struggled with just 64 yards on 6-for-18 passing. Reed’s entry revitalized the Aggies’ offense, as his swift runs and adept use of the zone read disoriented LSU’s defense, leading to three rushing touchdowns and a swift comeback.
The momentum fully shifted when A&M’s BJ Mayes intercepted Nussmeier in LSU territory, setting up Reed’s first touchdown run to narrow LSU’s lead to 17-14. The Tigers’ woes continued with a botched field goal attempt, further stalling their offense. Reed capitalized again, adding an 8-yard score to give the Aggies their first lead. LSU’s defense, caught off guard by the shift in offensive styles, was unable to adjust, allowing the Aggies to score on four consecutive possessions in the third quarter.
Nussmeier, who threw for 405 yards on 25-of-50 passing, faced mounting pressure in the second half, ultimately throwing three interceptions. The Aggies turned these turnovers into 21 points, with linebacker Taurean York’s key pick leading to another Reed touchdown. “The second-half interceptions made all the difference,” Elko noted. “Once we had that spark from Marcel, we knew we had the momentum.”
Texas A&M’s ground game flourished under Reed, who ran for 62 yards and three touchdowns while also completing two passes for 70 yards. The Aggies totaled 242 rushing yards against LSU’s 24, securing a relentless grip on the game’s closing moments. Le’Veon Moss capped the scoring for the Aggies with a 3-yard touchdown run following a 54-yard connection between Reed and receiver Noah Thomas.
Reflecting on LSU’s collapse, Tigers head coach Brian Kelly emphasized the need for better decision-making and ball security, pointing to costly turnovers and special teams errors as critical factors in the loss. “We lost our margin for error,” Kelly said. “Mistakes on the road against a talented team like Texas A&M will cost you.”
With the victory, Texas A&M (7-1, 5-0 SEC) stands alone at the top of the SEC West, eyeing their first appearance in the conference championship game. Elko, in his debut season, expressed pride in the program’s growth and resilience. “This is a real program, and we’re building something special,” Elko said. “Our guys played with heart and showed what it takes to win in the SEC.”
The Aggies aim to keep their winning streak alive next week against South Carolina, while LSU will regroup with a bye week before facing Alabama in a pivotal matchup at Tiger Stadium.
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