<\/p>\n
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10)\u00a0dives to score a touchdown during the first half Oct. 25, 2025\u00a0against the\u00a0LSU Tigers at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tyler Kaufman\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
LSU wide receiver Aaron Anderson (right) is defended by Texas A&M cornerback Tyreek Chappell\u00a0during the first half Oct. 25, 2025 at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, La.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tyler Kaufman\/Getty Images<\/p>\n
Texas A&M running back Jamarion Morrow (23) carries for a touchdown against LSU linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. (7) in the second half\u00a0Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gerald Herbert\/Associated Press<\/p>\n
BATON ROUGE, La. \u2014\u00a0Texas A&M football<\/a> has proven it’s a legitimate threat for the College Football Playoff.\u00a0Following its 49-25 win over the LSU Tigers<\/a> in Death Valley, the Aggies remain the only SEC team yet to suffer a loss.<\/p>\n It wasn’t always smooth, as A&M trailed 18-14 at halftime. But the\u00a0Aggies came out strong in the second half\u00a0and now head into their\u00a0final bye week of the season at 8-0 for the first time since 1992. With plenty of positives after the win, head coach Mike Elko will prepare for Missouri and South Carolina before a final nonconference game against Samford.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Here’s how the Aggies graded in their Week 9 victory:<\/p>\n Texas A&M wide receiver KC Concepcion (right) celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Terry Bussey\u00a0in the second half Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gerald Herbert\/Associated Press<\/p>\n MORE\u00a0AGGIES: Aggies bounce Tigers in Baton Rouge for first time since 1994<\/a><\/p>\n Texas A&M football Week 9 grades<\/p>\n Quarterbacks: B-<\/p>\n Marcel Reed<\/a> had two interceptions. One was a mistake as he tried to fit the ball into a tight window in the end zone, and the second was a tipped ball. The turnovers helped the Tigers go into halftime with an 18-14 lead after trailing most of the half.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Still, Reed demonstrated great ability with\u00a0his arm and his legs. He finished 12-for-21 for 202 yards and two touchdown passes while adding a game-high 108 yards and two touchdowns on the ground.<\/p>\n Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed (10) is hit by LSU defensive lineman Bernard Gooden\u00a0as he releases a pass in the first half\u00a0 Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gerald Herbert\/Associated Press<\/p>\n Running backs: C-\u00a0<\/p>\n No A&M running back was particularly impressive, but the group was efficient enough.\u00a0Rueben Owens II<\/a> led with eight carries for 44 yards.\u00a0Jamarion Morrow<\/a> added 26 yards and one touchdown on three carries. He also caught a touchdown pass for the second time this season, the position group’s only reception.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Overall, the running backs accounted for 98 of the team’s 224 rushing yards.<\/p>\n Receivers: C+<\/p>\n Ashton Bethel-Roman<\/a> led the team with 47 receiving yards, all on one reception. KC Concepcion<\/a> finished with 45 yards on three catches and one touchdown. Wide receivers accounted for nine of Reed’s 12 completions. Even if it wasn’t the group’s best night statistically, they\u00a0helped A&M convert 7\u00a0of 10 third-down attempts\u2014 with receptions on the first three conversions of the night.<\/p>\n Tight ends: C+<\/p>\n This group’s impact is mainly felt weekly in the running game, where they excel in two tight end formations, pounding the ball down defenses’ throats. It was much the same against LSU as A&M averaged 5.6 yards per carry. Theo Melin Ohstrom<\/a> was the only one in the group to catch a pass, finishing with two receptions for 32 yards. Nate Boerkircher scored for the second straight week, this time with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Offensive line: A<\/p>\n It was an outstanding performance by A&M’s big men, who once again recorded a shutout in the sacks category. Reed consistently had running lanes and time in the pocket, and although the Aggies lost the turnover battle, the linemen\u00a0continue to demonstrate why they’re a true strength of the team.<\/p>\n Defensive line: A+<\/p>\n The best group of the week, A&M’s defensive line dominated LSU. The Aggies’ pass rushers finished with six of the team’s seven sacks. Cashius Howell<\/a> remains a standout, recording two sacks and boosting his season total to 9\u00bd.\u00a0Both DJ Hicks<\/a> and\u00a0TJ Searcy<\/a> also contributed, each with 1\u00bd sacks.\u00a0LSU averaged just 2.2 yards per carry, when factoring in sacks, thanks in large part to the push up front.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier (18) is sacked by Texas A&M defensive end Cashius Howell (9) in the first half\u00a0Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge,\u00a0<\/p>\n Gerald Herbert\/Associated Press<\/p>\n Linebackers: B-<\/p>\n Taurean York<\/a> continues to be the heart and soul of the\u00a0defense, and he and the rest of the linebackers were impressive. LSU had just one rush of 20-plus yards while gaining only 5.1 yards per reception. LSU running backs mustered zero catches, and tight end\u00a0Trey’Dez Green’s touchdown came against a defensive back.<\/p>\n York, along with freshman Noah Mikhail, led the linebackers with four tackles. Scooby Williams<\/a> added three, including two for loss.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Defensive backs: B-<\/p>\n No LSU receiver finished with more than 60 yards, and only one had five receptions (Green led his team with six catches). While the group did commit two penalties, it played well, limiting the Tigers’ passing attack to just 218 yards and a 2-for-12 showing on third downs.<\/p>\n Special teams: B<\/p>\n A major momentum shift in the first half occurred when LSU blocked a punt, resulting in a safety. It’s the second blocked punt of\u00a0the season for the Aggies, which is somewhat concerning. But the unit’s highlight was Concepcion’s 79-yard punt return for a touchdown in the second half. And place kicker Randy Bond was flawless, finishing 7-for-7 on extra points.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko calls out from the sideline in the first half Oct. 25, 2025 in Baton Rouge, La.\u00a0<\/p>\n Gerald Herbert\/Associated Press<\/p>\n Coaching staff: A+<\/p>\n It’s hard not to be impressed by head coach\u00a0Elko<\/a> and his staff. A&M is continuing to do things that the program hasn’t accomplished in decades. Winning in Death Valley is no small feat, and Elko and his staff are primarily responsible for the Aggies outscoring\u00a0LSU 35-7 in the second half.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n As the Aggies approach their final bye week undefeated, A&M is a true College Football Playoff contender.<\/p>\n Reach Texas A&M beat reporter Tony Catalina via email at Anthony.Catalina@statesman.com. Follow the American-Statesman on\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0X<\/a>\u00a0for more. Your subscription makes work like this possible. Access\u00a0all of our best content<\/a>\u00a0with\u00a0this tremendous offer<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n