Texas A&M (10-0, 7-0 SEC) pulled off one of the craziest comebacks in college football history after defeating South Carolina 31-30 on Saturday afternoon, reaching 10-0 for the first time since 1992, and being the first SEC team in over 20 years to win a game after trailing by 27 or more points at halftime.
This result wasn’t random, and no matter how much folks in the national media realm want to blame this on the Gamecocks not showing up in the second half, Texas A&M’s defense shut down the visitors, while starting quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw two interceptions in the first half, played at a Heisman level when the pressure was on.
Advertisement
After completing just 6/19 for 141 yards and two picks, Reed exploded in the second half, completing 16/20 for 298 yards and three touchdowns, all starting with his 4th & 12 conversion that led to his first touchdown pass to redshirt freshman WR Izaiah Williams.
After a 27-yard strike, Reed was completely locked in, connecting with ascending WR Ashton Bethel-Roman for a perfectly thrown 39-yard touchdown, followed by Bethel-Roman’s 76-yard reception, which set up TE Nate Boerkircher’s 14-yard TD reception.
After running back EJ Smith’s lead-taking touchdown early in the fourth quarter, Texas A&M’s defense stood firm, allowing less than 80 yards in the second half, while recording two sacks against QB LaNorris Sellers during South Carolina’s final possession.
Texas A&M’s miraculous win was bad news for several SEC teams hoping to earn a spot in Atlanta for the SEC Championship Game, including Alabama, which fell 23-21 at home to surging Oklahoma. At the same time, Texas A&M, Georgia, and Ole Miss now have the most straightforward path moving forward.
Advertisement
After another chaotic week, Texas A&M stayed at No. 3 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll, but did receive two first-place votes.
US LBM Coaches Poll after Week 12
|
1 |
Ohio State |
10-0 |
1573 |
61 |
1 |
– |
1/2 |
|
2 |
Indiana |
11-0 |
1497 |
0 |
2 |
– |
2/21 |
|
3 |
Texas A&M |
10-0 |
1457 |
2 |
3 |
– |
3/22 |
|
4 |
Georgia |
9-1 |
1381 |
0 |
5 |
+1 |
3/10 |
|
5 |
Oregon |
9-1 |
1285 |
0 |
6 |
+1 |
2/9 |
|
6 |
Ole Miss |
10-1 |
1268 |
0 |
7 |
+1 |
4/15 |
|
7 |
Texas Tech |
10-1 |
1213 |
0 |
8 |
+1 |
7/24 |
|
8 |
Oklahoma |
8-2 |
1099 |
0 |
10 |
+2 |
6/NR |
|
9 |
Notre Dame |
8-2 |
1064 |
0 |
9 |
– |
5/21 |
|
10 |
Alabama |
8-2 |
976 |
0 |
4 |
-6 |
4/20 |
|
11 |
BYU |
9-1 |
923 |
0 |
12 |
+1 |
8/NR |
|
12 |
Georgia Tech |
9-1 |
815 |
0 |
12 |
– |
7/NR |
|
13 |
Vanderbilt |
8-2 |
777 |
0 |
14 |
+1 |
11/NR |
|
14 |
Utah |
8-2 |
748 |
0 |
15 |
+1 |
14/NR |
|
15 |
Miami (FL) |
8-2 |
707 |
0 |
16 |
+1 |
2/18 |
|
16 |
USC |
8-2 |
610 |
0 |
18 |
+2 |
16/NR |
|
17 |
Michigan |
8-2 |
587 |
0 |
17 |
– |
13/NR |
|
18 |
Texas |
7-3 |
521 |
0 |
10 |
-8 |
1/19 |
|
19 |
Virginia |
9-2 |
455 |
0 |
19 |
– |
11/NR |
|
20 |
Tennessee |
7-3 |
403 |
0 |
20 |
– |
11/22 |
|
21 |
Missouri |
7-3 |
220 |
0 |
24 |
+3 |
14/NR |
|
22 |
James Madison |
9-1 |
201 |
0 |
25 |
+3 |
22/NR |
|
23 |
North Texas |
9-1 |
164 |
0 |
NR |
+4 |
23/NR |
|
24 |
Houston |
8-2 |
144 |
0 |
NR |
+5 |
22/NR |
|
25 |
Tulane |
8-2 |
96 |
0 |
NR |
+5 |
25/NR |
Schools Dropped Out
No. 21 Louisville;Â No. 22 Cincinnati;Â No. 23 Pittsburgh;
Others Receiving Votes
Navy 56;Â SMU 42;Â Illinois 34;Â Washington 28;Â Iowa 24;Â Arizona 23;Â Louisville 21;Â San Diego State 19;Â Arizona State 16;Â Pittsburgh 13;Â Nebraska 12;Â East Carolina 3;
Contact/Follow us @AggiesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Texas A&M news, notes and opinions. Follow Cameron on X: @CameronOhnysty.
Advertisement
This article originally appeared on Aggies Wire: Texas A&M football stays at No. 3 in the latest US LBM Coaches Poll
