5 plays that swung LSU's 38-23 loss to Texas A&M
LSU missed opportunities big and small Saturday night on its way to a fourth straight loss in College Station with a nightmare second half against Texas A&M.
The No. 8 Tigers (6-2, 3-1) watched a double-digit lead in the third quarter quickly evaporate into a double-digit deficit with their own miscues helping fuel the No. 14 Aggies (7-1, 5-0) in their 38-23 comeback victory.
Here’s a look at five of the most impactful plays in the disappointing swing.
Opening the door
Plenty of game remained, but LSU was clearly in the driver’s seat with a 17-7 lead against an opponent with a reeling quarterback and a recent track record of not being able to overcome double-digit deficits. But senior B.J. Mayes snatched an interception forced into tight coverage. And the Tigers’ first turnover of the game abruptly reenergized the Aggies and the Kyle Field crowd. Mayes returned the ball to the 8-yard line, and reserve quarterback Marcel Reed ran in the touchdown the next play.
Aggies take the lead
LSU couldn’t manage an answer to Texas A&M’s sudden momentum, as the Tigers’ ensuing drive stalled at the 29-yard line and then came up completely empty on a botched hold on their field-goal attempt. Reed and company started with great position at their own 40 and began marching down the field in chunks with the run game. And when the Aggies finally faced their first third down of the drive, a third-and-5 from the 8, Reed slashed his way back to the end zone for the conversion and the 21-17 lead.
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Mayes’ Day
Mayes snatched another interception two plays later to set Reed and the offense back up just 26 yards from the goal line. Nussmeier entered the game having thrown just six interceptions in seven games this season and was productive in the first half despite dropped passes by receivers and the Tigers’ overall trouble establishing a rushing attack. But Mayes had suddenly claimed two takeaways in a three-possession span on the way to three interceptions total in a deflating second half.
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No answer for the Aggies’ rush
LSU couldn’t seem to find any answers for the Aggies’ new-look offense with Reed at the helm. But a blindside block penalty negating a red-zone touchdown run by Le’Veon Moss and appeared to give the Tigers an opportunity to at least hold a back-up Texas A&M out of the end zone and keep the deficit in check. Amari Daniels picked up 10 yards on second own back down to the 4, and Reed converted another third down to push the lead to 28-17 with the third straight touchdown by the reserve quarterback.
Closing shot
The Aggies had taken control of the game with their opportunities defense and Reed-led rushing attack. But the freshman had only attempted one pass in his first three possessions at the helm. And as LSU pulled back within five points, its defense retook the field keyed in on slowing that threat on the ground which had cashed in three straight scores. Instead, Texas A&M took immediately to the air where Reed found Noah Thomas for a 54-yard strike that put the Tigers right back on their heels all the way to an eventual Moss touchdown to stretch the lead to 35-23.
