Post Game Review: No. 3 Texas A&M 49, No. 20 LSU 25

Death Valley: Where dreams stay alive for Mike Elko and the 2025 Fightin’ Texas Aggies.

Now 8-0 for the first time since 1992, No. 3 Texas A&M rolled past No. 20 LSU behind 35 unanswered points in the second half to win 49-25.

The beatdown represents the Aggies’ first win in Baton Rouge since 1994.

Under the lights of Tiger Stadium, LSU kicked off the action. Earning his first start of his young career, freshman tailback Harlem Berry gained the Tigers' initial first down. Yet, it wasn’t long before Cashius Howell would find the backfield, surging past freshman left tackle Carius Curne to sack Garrett Nussmeier for a loss of nine.

A completion to KC Concepcion and Theo Melin-Öhrström powered the A&M early before Marcel Reed took advantage of an open running lane and scrambled for a 41-yard touchdown.

The Bayou Bengals answered on the following drive. LSU’s running game found some momentum, leading to an efficient are attack. Garrett Nussmeier went a perfect 6-for-6 on the drive, finding Trey’Dez Green three times, including in the end zone to cap off the 74-yard march.

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Under Mike Elko, Texas A&M has started conference play 5-0 in back-to-back seasons.

It didn’t take long for the Aggies to strike back. Jamarion Morrow saw initial reps at tailback, running for 12 to kick off the drive. On third down, Reed delivered a dart to Concepcion for a big first down. A few plays later, Reed did the exact same thing, connecting with his transfer wideout in the end zone to take back the lead, 14-7.

As the second quarter began, the Tigers’ offense stalled. Howell swarmed Nussmeier once again, dropping him for a loss of six. A pass breakup from Will Lee III followed, forcing another punt from the home squad.

After two straight scoring drives for the Aggies, the Maroon & White were far from successful on the third. Miscommunication between Reed and center Mark Nabou Jr. led to an early snap and an 11-yard loss on the play. After two incompletions, Tyler White’s punt was blocked and rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety.

Luckily for A&M, the Tigers were ineffective on the ensuing possession as the Aggie pass rush continued to get after Nussmeier. Back on offense, an eye-popping snag from Ashton Bethel-Roman propelled the Ags into the red zone. Yet, the drive was spoiled as Reed was picked off in the end zone by A.J. Haulcy.

What appeared to be a dead drive for LSU was revived due to an A&M unnecessary roughness penalty against Dezz Ricks. A play later, Nussmeier sent a 41-yard bomb to Barion Brown to set up a Berry rushing touchdown, claiming the lead by one after a missed PAT.

SCOTT CLAUSE / USATODAY Network

Garrett Nussmeier was sacked five times by Texas A&M’s relentless pass rush.

More misery came for Aggie fans as Reed’s pass was tipped and picked off by Harold Perkins. Caden Durham’s second carry of the game was a 28-yard pickup before Damian Ramos knocked a 28-yard field goal through to conclude the first half.

A 43-yard kickoff return from Terry Bussey kick-started a much-needed A&M response. Reed used his legs to gain a chunk of real estate as A&M’s ground game got going. A rush-heavy drive concluded with Reed hauling it in the end zone.

After a three-and-out possession from the home squad, Concepcion ignited the Aggie sideline with a 79-yard punt return to take a 10-point lead.

Brian Kelly’s offense gained only 18 yards before Reed & Co. took the field again. Following a series of short gains, Reed completed a pass to Morrow, who took it 24 yards to the house.

A tackle for loss by Scooby Williams highlighted another flawed offensive drive for the Tigers. A&M had no problems marching downfield, scoring a 1-yard rushing touchdown to begin the fourth quarter.

After both teams traded empty possessions, Tiger Stadium quickly emptied after A&M’s sixth score. Morrow rushed for 11 yards to secure a season-high 49 points.

Michael Van Buren Jr. took over under center after Nussmeier was badgering all night, leading the Tigers on a 75-yard touchdown drive that simply did not matter. The backup quarterback found Kyle Parker in the end zone to cut the lead down to 24.

Stephen Lew-Imagn Images

Texas A&M has outscored LSU 66-13 in the second halves in 2024 and 2025.

RUMBLED: Thirty-five unanswered. A&M’s offense roared back after a lackluster second frame to score the most points this season. 

STUMBLED: All around, it was a scornful second quarter for the Aggies. In the second frame alone, the Aggies had a bad snap ruin a drive, gave up a safety on a blocked punt, allowed an unnecessary roughness call to revive an LSU march, two Reed interceptions (one in the end zone) and gave up 11 points while scoring none.

TURNING POINT: The Tigers’ momentous second quarter shifted Maroon with a 14-point third. KC Concepcion’s 79-yard punt return to take a 10-point lead was a good indication that A&M had this one in the bag.

UNSUNG HERO: With Cashius Howell receiving a lot of the praise (and deservedly so) along the defensive line, the entire Aggie pass rush terrorized Garrett Nussmeier all night long. The Aggies finished with seven sacks and 11 tackles for loss.

KEY STAT: Trailing at the half for the first time this season, A&M did not flinch and ripped off 35 unanswered points to put the outcome to rest. A&M’s 49 total points are the most scored vs. an SEC opponent on the road since 52 at South Carolina to open the 2014 season.

Scoring Summary

First-quarter

A&M: 10:10 - Marcel Reed 41-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 6 plays, 68 yards. TOP 2:36. Texas A&M 7, LSU 0

LSU: 5:38 - Garrett Nussmeier 5-yard touchdown pass to Trey’Dez Green. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards. TOP 4:26. Texas A&M 7, LSU 7

A&M: 0:40 - Marcel Reed 15-yard touchdown pass to KC Concepcion. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards. TOP 4:52. Texas A&M 14, LSU 7

Second-quarter

LSU: 12:13 - Tyler White punt blocked for safety. Texas A&M 14, LSU 9

LSU: 3:09 - Harlem Berry 7-yard rushing touchdown pass. Missed PAT. Drive: 8 plays, 75 yards. TOP 3:47. LSU 15, Texas A&M 14

Third-quarter

A&M: 10:41 - Marcel Reed 5-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 9 plays, 56 yards. TOP 4:12. Texas A&M 21, LSU 18

A&M: 8:47 - KC Concepcion 79-yard punt return for a touchdown. Texas A&M 28, LSU 18

A&M: 4:02 - Marcel Reed 24-yard touchdown pass to Jamarion Morrow. Drive: 4 plays, 50 yards. TOP 1:54. Texas A&M 35, LSU 18

Fourth-quarter

A&M: 14:15 - Nate Boerkircher 1-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 6 plays, 33 yards. TOP 3:23. Texas A&M 42, LSU 18

A&M: 6:12 - Jamarion Morrow 11-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 5 plays, 29 yards. TOP 2:35. Texas A&M 49, LSU 18

LSU: 0:59 - Michael Van Buren Jr. 12-yard touchdown pass to Kyle Parker Green. Drive: 12 plays, 75 yards. TOP 5:13. Texas A&M 49, LSU 25