{"id":434099,"date":"2026-09-12T18:24:09","date_gmt":"2026-09-12T18:24:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/434099\/"},"modified":"2026-09-12T18:24:09","modified_gmt":"2026-09-12T18:24:09","slug":"arizona-state-trails-no-10-texas-am-at-halftime-despite-outgaining-aggies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/434099\/","title":{"rendered":"Arizona State Trails No. 10 Texas A&M at Halftime Despite Outgaining Aggies"},"content":{"rendered":"

Arizona State has shown it can play with No. 10 Texas A&M. The Sun Devils just haven’t been able to get out of their own way.<\/p>\n

Despite outgaining the Aggies 200-123 and holding a 10-6 advantage in first downs, Arizona State trails Texas A&M 17-10 at halftime Saturday at Kyle Field.<\/p>\n

Special teams have been the difference.<\/p>\n

A muffed punt by Corey Butler in the first quarter and a failed fake-punt attempt late in the second gave Texas A&M short fields. The Aggies turned those two mistakes into 10 points, including David Olano’s 22-yard field goal with three seconds remaining before halftime.<\/p>\n

Without those miscues, the first half looked considerably different.<\/p>\n

Arizona State Controls the First Quarter<\/p>\n

Arizona State’s defense dominated the opening quarter, limiting Texas A&M to just 14 yards and no first downs on its first two possessions.<\/p>\n

The Aggies’ first touchdown came only after Butler couldn’t handle a punt and Texas A&M recovered inside the ASU 10. Rueben Owens II scored on a 2-yard run to give the Aggies a 7-0 lead.<\/p>\n

Arizona State responded impressively.<\/p>\n

Quarterback Cutter Boley directed an 11-play, 75-yard drive, finishing it with a perfectly placed touchdown pass to Reed Harris with 21 seconds remaining in the quarter.<\/p>\n

The teams entered the second tied 7-7, despite Arizona State holding a commanding 126-14 advantage in total offense.<\/p>\n

Marcel Reed Gets the Aggies Going<\/p>\n

Texas A&M finally found some offensive rhythm in the second quarter, largely because quarterback Marcel Reed began creating opportunities with both his arm and legs.<\/p>\n

Reed directed a 13-play, 75-yard drive and converted a key fourth-and-2 along the way. He finished the possession with a touchdown pass to Isaiah Horton that put the Aggies ahead 14-7 with 9:15 remaining in the half.<\/p>\n

Reed finished the half 10 of 16 for 76 yards and a touchdown while adding 24 rushing yards on three carries.<\/p>\n

Arizona State’s defense still held the Aggies to only 123 total yards \u2014 76 passing and 47 rushing \u2014 through two quarters.<\/p>\n

Cutter Boley Looks Comfortable at Kyle Field<\/p>\n

One of the biggest questions entering Saturday was how Boley would respond to his first road start for Arizona State in one of college football’s most intimidating environments.<\/p>\n

So far, the answer has been encouraging.<\/p>\n

Boley completed 13 of 19 passes for 131 yards and a touchdown without an interception. He also rushed for eight yards.<\/p>\n

His favorite target has been Harris, who already has seven receptions for 108 yards and a touchdown. Harris’ 35-yard reception in the second quarter helped set up another Arizona State scoring opportunity.<\/p>\n

The Sun Devils couldn’t finish that drive with a touchdown after Omarion Miller dropped a pass that could have produced a score. Carson Smith instead converted a 30-yard field goal to pull ASU within 14-10.<\/p>\n

Kyson Brown has also given Arizona State balance, rushing eight times for 54 yards. Overall, the Sun Devils are averaging 4.9 yards per rushing attempt compared with Texas A&M’s 3.1.<\/p>\n

Another Special Teams Gamble Costs ASU<\/p>\n

Arizona State’s second major special teams mistake came with two minutes remaining in the half.<\/p>\n

Facing fourth down, the Sun Devils attempted a fake punt with tight end James Giggey taking the direct snap. He was stopped short, allowing Texas A&M to take possession at the ASU 42.<\/p>\n

The Aggies drove to the 5 before Arizona State’s defense kept them out of the end zone. Olano’s 22-yard field goal nevertheless gave Texas A&M a 17-10 advantage.<\/p>\n

The muffed punt and failed fake punt resulted in 10 Texas A&M points.<\/p>\n

Arizona State has compounded those problems with five penalties for 22 yards. Texas A&M was not penalized in the opening half.<\/p>\n

Sun Devils Have Plenty to Build On<\/p>\n

For Arizona State, the encouraging part of the first half is that the Sun Devils haven’t been outplayed by the nation’s No. 10 team.<\/p>\n

They have 200 yards to Texas A&M’s 123. They have 10 first downs to the Aggies’ six. ASU has gained 131 yards through the air and 69 on the ground, while possessing the football for 15:26.<\/p>\n

But Arizona State’s margin for error at Kyle Field was always going to be small, and its mistakes have been expensive.<\/p>\n

There is another factor that could become increasingly important after halftime. Temperatures are nearing 100 degrees, with conditions even hotter at field level. Depth and conditioning could play a significant role as the afternoon progresses.<\/p>\n

Arizona State has demonstrated through two quarters that it can compete with Texas A&M.<\/p>\n

The question now is whether the Sun Devils can eliminate the self-inflicted mistakes long enough to finish the job.<\/p>\n

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