Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed celebrates after running for a touchdown against Arkansas during the first half Oct. 18, 2025, in Fayetteville, Ark.
Michael Woods/Associated Press
FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — Texas A&M football held multiple multiscore leads in its game Saturday against the Arkansas Razorbacks, but Based on recent results, a close finish was expected.
And the Southwest Classic lived up to its reputation as the Aggies traveled to Fayetteville, Ark., for the first time since 2013 and left with a 45-42 victory.
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“I guess it doesn’t matter where we play this game, that’s just how this game’s going to go,” head coach Mike Elko said after the win. “It’s the sixth game I’ve been a part of, and it’s the sixth that has come down to a final drive in the fourth quarter.”
He led A&M to a 21-17 win during last season’s game in Arlington. With the 2025 result, eight of the last 12 Southwest Classics finished with a margin of victory of seven points or fewer.
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In a contest featuring 87 points and over 1,000 yards of offense, sophomore Terry Bussey corralled Arkansas’ onside kick with 8 seconds remaining to secure A&M’s first 7-0 start since 1994. Although Bussey’s special teams play was the final highlight, it was quarterback Marcel Reed and the Aggies’ second outstanding offensive performance on the road this season that made the difference.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed runs the ball in the second half against the Arkansas on Oct. 18, 2025 at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville. The Aggies won 45-42.
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
MORE A&M: Top-ranked Aggies defeat Razorbacks 45-42
Marcel Reed, offense steps up for Aggies
After scoring 41 against Notre Dame in Week 3, Reed and the Aggies offense came into Fayetteville, Ark., and went blow-for-blow with the SEC’s No. 5 scoring offense.
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“Offensively, obviously, we played a really, really good football game,” Elko said. “I thought that was Marcel’s best game of the year. He did a lot of things with his arm, with his legs, extended drives, and did a really good job in the passing game, spreading the ball around.”
Reed finished the night 23-for-32, passing for 280 yards and four total touchdowns, including three through the air. He also gained 55 yards on six carries. Nine different receivers caught passes, and the Aggies totaled 497 yards of offense.
Reed’s 72% completion percentage is the highest of his career in a game he started.
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed warms up Oct. 18, 2025 before a game against Arkansas at Donald W. Reynolds Razorback Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
As a unit, the offense finished the night 5-for-11 on third down but went a perfect 3-for-3 on fourth down, including EJ Smith’s 1-yard run late in the fourth quarter. Smith was initially stopped for a loss before bouncing off would-be tacklers and finding the necessary yardage to extend the drive.
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That possession ended in a 12-yard touchdown run by redshirt sophomore Rueben Owens II to put the game out of reach.
“I think we never let them touch the ball with a chance to go up,” Elko said. “It’s a credit to our offense.”
A&M’s offense picking up a struggling defense
The Razorbacks entered Week 8 ranked in the top five in the SEC for rushing, passing and total offense, and they tested A&M’s defense thoroughly.
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Arkansas outgained A&M 527 to 497 and rushed for 268 yards, the most A&M has surrendered this season.
“We just picked a really, really bad night to play bad (defensive football),” Elko said. “We didn’t play anywhere near the standard of Texas A&M football.”
Coming into Week 8, the Aggies averaged 12 points allowed per game in three SEC contests and allowed just one third-down conversion during that stretch.
Arkansas finished the night 4-for-10 on third down as Razorbacks’ quarterback Taylen Green threw three touchdowns and ran for two more. The talented senior had 256 yards passing and another 85 rushing.
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The defense forced two punts in the second half as A&M’s offense scored on four of its five possessions to escape with the road win.
“I truly believe this, I believe this team gets a feel for the game,” Elko said. “When one side of the ball has needed to step up, it has done it. Every single game, every single week, every single opportunity, and I just think they’re getting a feel for that.”
Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com. Follow the American-Statesman on Facebook and X for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access all of our best content with this tremendous offer.
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