COLLEGE STATION — Texas A&M football and Miami find themselves in a defensive struggle, entering the second half tied at 0-0.
Hurricanes had six possessions, with four ending in punts and the other two being missed field goals.
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The Aggies weren’t much better, punting three times, attempting an unsuccessful fake punt, losing one fumble and missing a field goal from 22 yards.
Despite the lack of scoring, A&M moved the football well, finishing the half with 175 yards. Marcel Reed went 12-for-17 for 113 passing yards. He added a team-high 39 yards on the ground.
Amari Daniels (4) of Texas A&M carries the ball during the first half against Miami at Hard Rock Stadium on Sep. 09, 2023 in Miami Gardens, Fla. (Photo by Lauren Sopourn/Getty Images)
Lauren Sopourn/Getty Images
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MORE AGGIES: Texas A&M football vs Miami betting lines, scouting report, prediction
Miami quarterback Carson Beck struggled, finishing the half 8-for-12 with just 31 passing yards. It was led by running back Mark Fletcher Jr. who finished the half with 40 rushing yards on seven carries.
Aggies’ defense was nearly perfect on third down, holding the Hurricanes without a conversion on 1-of-6 attempts.
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Penalty-wise, it was relatively clean, with A&M finishing the half with two and Miami called for just one.
However, one of the Aggies’ penalties came on fourth down, forcing them to punt rather than go for it at midfield.
Saturday’s winner will advance to the quarterfinal, taking on No. 2 Ohio State in the Cotton Bowl. Stay tuned for updates throughout the action:
Offense has been nonexistent in this one, and to try to spark a drive, the Aggies ran a fake punt. The pass from punter Tyler White to Ashton Bethel-Roman fell incomplete, giving the Hurricanes the ball on the plus-46.
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After A&M missed a field goal minutes earlier, Miami missed one as well from 47 yards out. Both teams have struggled offensively and on special teams, while both defenses have looked the part in the first half.
A false start on third-and-2 pushes A&M back and forces it to punt. The ensuing punt was returned 55 yards to the Aggies 25 yard line putting Miami in scoring range for the first time.
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It’s been a defensive struggle early on, and after the blocked field goal, A&M’s defense stands up to force a punt. All four of the Hurricanes drives have resulted in a punt, with Miami struggling to find any offensive rhythm thus far.
After a 59-yard pass from Marcel Reed to Mario Craver set up a potential scoring opportunity at the Miami 11-yard line, a field goal attempt by Jared Zirkle was blocked, leaving the score tied at 0-0. The Aggies have now had two drives that crossed midfield but ended without points; the first drive was halted by a fumble from Reed.
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Miami will get the ball on its own 13 yard line to start the drive.
Slow going offensively for both teams so far, as each opening drive ended in a punt.
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Where: Kyle Field in College Station
TV/radio: ABC, 1370 AM in Austin; 1150 AM, 93.7 FM in College Station.
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Moneyline: Texas A&M +150, Miami -185
Spread: Texas A&M is favored by 3½ points.
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Partly cloudy conditions with temperatures expected to be in the low 70s at kickoff.
Week 1 vs UTSA: W, 42-24
Week 2 vs Utah State: W, 44-22
Week 3 at Notre Dame: W, 41-40
Week 4 Sept. 20: BYE
Week 5 vs Auburn: W, 16-10
Week 6 vs Mississippi State: W, 31-9
Week 7 vs Florida: W, 34-17
Week 8: at Arkansas: W, 45-42
Week 9 vs LSU: W, 49-25
Week 10: BYE
Week 11 vs Missouri: W, 38-17
Week 12 vs South Carolina: W, 31-30
Week 13 vs Samford: W, 48-0
Week 14 vs Texas: L, 27-17
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Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com.