Battered Aggie Syndrome strikes again.

Texas A&M football’s season ended in the first round of the College Football Playoff, falling to Miami 10-3. The Aggies offense stood on the opposing 5-yard line with 24 seconds left and a chance to tie the game, when Hurricanes defensive back Bryce Fitzgerald intercepted quarterback Marcel Reed, ending the dream of a CFP quarterfinal against Ohio State.

MORE: Recap from Texas A&M’s College Football Playoff loss to Miami

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Texas A&M outgained Miami 326 to 278 in total yards of offense and ran 26 more plays than its opponent. However, the Aggies lost the turnover battle three to one and failed to take advantage of the opportunities presented to them.

Here are some takeaways from Texas A&M’s loss:

Texas A&M’s inability to capitalize

After tying the game to start the fourth quarter, Texas A&M found momentum when safety Dalton Brooks ripped the ball out of Toney’s hands with 7 minutes and 11 seconds left. The Aggies recovered the fumble at their own 47-yard line, but were unable to make anything of the field position, punting after a single first down.

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The Aggie defense had held firm for all of three quarters, allowing a field goal and holding Hurricanes quarterback Carson Beck to 80 passing yards. But the offense was a different story, as untimely turnovers and inaccurate passes from Reed kept the unit from ever finding a rhythm. 

Reed’s best drive of the day came after Miami went up 10-3. With just under two minutes remaining, the quarterback led the Aggies 70 yards in 10 plays. He made quick decisions, used his legs effectively and connected with wide receiver KC Concepcion for a 14-yard completion to set up first-and-goal. But the Aggies couldn’t finish the job.

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) is tackled during the round one College Football Playoff game against Miami at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) is tackled during the round one College Football Playoff game against Miami at Kyle Field on Saturday, Dec. 20, 2025 in College Station, Texas.

Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman

Aggies’ run defense collapses

The Aggies allowed 38 yards rushing in the first half, stonewalling the Hurricanes’ offensive line and running back Mark Fletcher Jr. But things changed after halftime.

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Miami began to get its run game churning in the third quarter, rushing for 47 yards on nine attempts. An injury at the end of the period to Aggies defensive lineman Albert Regis —  one of their best run defenders — exacerbated the issue. Fletcher proceeded to rip off a 56-yard run with 4:01 remaining, which set up the game-sealing 11-yard touchdown pass to Miami wide receiver Malachi Toney.

The Aggies allowed 91 rushing yards in the fourth quarter, despite holding the Hurricanes to 85 yards for the rest of the game.

A special teams spectacle

With winds gusting up to about 30 miles per hour, each team’s kickers struggled to find the uprights in Kyle Field.

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Aggies kicker Jared Zirkel began the day by mishitting a 22-yard attempt, allowing Hurricanes defensive lineman Rueben Bain to block the low-driven kick. Miami kicker Carter Davis, who’d missed two kicks all season, saw his 47-yard field goal in the second quarter fly wide right of the post.

Davis missed attempts from 40 and 35 yards as well. Instead of sticking with Zirkel, Elko turned to former starter Randy Bond, who had made only 11-of-18 attempts entering the game. The kicker took advantage of his opportunity, tying the game on a 35-yard field goal despite a bad hold. 

Head coach Mike Elko dug into his bag of tricks toward the end of the second half. Aggies punter Tyler White faked a punt with less than two minutes remaining in the half, but wide receiver Ashton Roman-Bethel failed to bring in White’s pass.

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