For the first time since 1992, Texas A&M is 8-0, after demolishing LSU 49-25 in one of the crazier second halves you’ll watch all season, and for those who didn’t watch, it’s essential to know that the Aggies actually trailed 18-14 going into halftime, thanks to starting quarterback Marcel Reed’s two interceptions. Well, thanks to head coach Mike Elko’s legendary second-half adjustments, the Aggies came out swinging.
After giving up a safety, a touchdown, and a field goal in the disastrous second quarter, LSU held all the momentum heading into halftime. Still, Texas A&M didn’t get the message, storming out of the locker room with an impressive 9-play, 56-yard drive that resulted in Marcel Reed’s third touchdown of the game to take a 21-18 lead.
After Texas A&M’s defense continued to harass quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, who was sacked seven times, including two from senior edge Cashius Howell, transfer wide receiver KC Concepcion returned the punt 79 yards for his second punt return TD of the season, as the lead mounted to 28-18, while the Tigers’ chances looked bleak.
Things got ugly quickly, as the Aggies continued to shred LSU’s defense through the air and on the ground, as Reed found freshman running back Jamarion Morrow for a 24-yard touchdown on a well-timed screen. After two more A&M touchdowns, Texas A&M led 49-18 before the Tigers’ garbage time score with under a minute left in the fourth quarter.
While defeating LSU in Death Valley for the first time since 1994 is impressive, destroying an SEC team on the road in a Stadium considered to be the toughest in the country is on a whole other level.
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Entering the bye week is a ton of momentum; the Aggies will rest and recover before facing Missouri on the road. Here are five takeaways from Texas A&M’s historic 49-25 road victory over the LSU Tigers.
Texas A&M’s defense showed vast improvement
After giving up over 500 yards against Arkansas last Saturday night, Texas A&M’s defense really only allowed 18 points after LSU’s garbage time touchdown with under a minute left in the game. After allowing several explosive runs, the Aggies shut down LSU’s rushing attack in the second half, and throughout the night, QB Garrett Nusmeier was in a bad place.
Texas A&M’s pass rush, led by senior edge Cashius Howell, produced seven sacks and eleven tackles for loss, as Howell got home twice, followed by rotational edge T.J. Searcy’s 1.5 sacks in his best game as an Aggie. While LSU’s offensive line didn’t hold up, the Aggie defensive line has been lights out in SEC play.
In the secondary, Nussmeier only threw for 168 yards and one touchdown, and was shut down in the second half, while senior cornerback Will Lee III had one of his best games of the year, including a pass breakup.
Jamarion Morrow is going to be a big-time running back for the Maroon & White
What a game for Texas A&M’s freshman running back Jamarion Morrow, who, due to senior Le’Veon Moss’s injury, saw more play time, especially late in the game, where he scored two touchdowns, including his 24-yard receiving score that put the game out of reach.
Morrow’s quickness and elite agility have led to increased playing time, as head coach Mike Elko and OC Collin Klein know he is one of the best weapons in the screen game, which was utilized on Saturday night. While he isn’t former Texas A&M star back De’Von Achane, Morrow resembles the Aggie record holder and will continue to see the field even when Moss returns.
With Morrow, Texas A&M’s offense is highly versatile, placing even more pressure on opposing defenses through the air and on the ground.
Marcel Reed’s second half play outweighs his inconsistency
Yes, Marcel Reed did throw two interceptions, including a costly turnover that resulted in LSU’s second touchdown of the game, but after leading the Aggie offense to 35 points in the second half, do these early mistakes really matter?
They do, but Reed’s dual-threat ability, which led to 202 passing yards, 110 rushing yards, and four total touchdowns, was too much for LSU’s 26th-ranked defense to handle. Even last season, the Tigers have yet to stop the redshirt sophomore signal caller on the ground, a trend that has continued to haunt defensive coordinator Blake Baker.
Marcel Reed is truly a Heisman Trophy candidate after another impressive performance that directly led to another road victory. As long as his early mistakes don’t result in the Aggies’ first loss of the season, if that even occurs, the good will always outweigh the bad.
HC Mike Elko’s halftime adjustments are becoming legendary
Since taking over as Texas A&M’s defensive playcaller this season, Mike Elko’s second-half adjustments have directly led to nearly every one of the Aggies’ eight consecutive wins, including Saturday night’s second-half blowout over LSU.
While Elko downplayed his second-half adjustments after the Aggie defense gave up 18 points off a safety, two touchdowns, and a field goal, Texas A&M’s offense immediately responded with a 56-yard touchdown drive and 35 consecutive points, while LSU’s run game, which produced several explosive runs, was also shut down.
Elko’s hiring was primarily based on his success as Texas A&M’s defensive coordinator from 2018 to 2021, while his two-year stint as Duke’s head coach demonstrated that he could turn a flailing program around in less than three seasons. In Year 2, the Aggies are 8-0 and look like the most complete team in the country, alongside Indiana.
The halftime adjustments continue to work.
Transfer wide receiver KC Concepcion is, as the kids say “him”
Texas A&M’s offseason additions of transfer wide receivers Mario Craver and KC Concepcion instantly made the Aggies College Football Playoff contenders. Still, after Saturday’s blowout win over LSU, it’s time to consider the team from College Station National Championship worthy.
On Saturday, both players combined for 87 receiving yards, while Concepcion, who is lightning in a bottle whenever the ball is in his hands, recorded his second punt return touchdown of the second half, weaving his way through LSU defenders for 79 yards to the house. This return essentially ended the game and further proved that the former NC State do-it-all weapon deserves substantial praise.
With all the first-half issues, Concepcion is the type of player Mike Elko and Collin Klein can trust when the offense, and especially special teams, needs a boost, and combined with Craver’s elite speed and versatility, Texas A&M’s wide receiver corps can match up with any secondary.
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