Texas A&M stuns LSU 38-23
With a trip to Atlanta booked to take on the #1 team in the country next week, LSU had one final road test in College Station, Texas to take on the struggling Texas A&M Aggies.
LSU’s mission was simple - win out the next two weeks and punch a ticket to the college football playoff.
However with just four wins this season, the Aggies were playing for one thing and one thing only - spoil those playoff hopes for their SEC West rival.
Texas A&M (5-7, 2-6) accomplished that goal, shocking #5 LSU 38-23 in its final game of the year.
“We just weren’t our best today,” LSU coach Brian Kelly said. “We needed more juice, more fire, and we seemed to lack that today. That’s on me.”
Texas A&M running back Devon Achane set the tone early dicing up LSU’s defense. He punched in a 10-yard score on Texas A&M’s first drive capturing a 7-0 lead for the Aggies.
LSU (9-3, 6-2) never found an answer for Achane as he ran wild for 215 yards and a pair of touchdowns on 38 carries.
LSU did manage to put points on the board to stay in the game for a while. In fact, LSU tied the game at 17 in the third quarter and really appeared to be taking control of the game after a defensive stop and running back John Emery’s 19-yard touchdown.
The turning point for the game was LSU’s next drive with the game still tied. LSU quarterback Jayden Daniels ran the ball left on a keeper and had a rare turnover by fumbling the ball. The Aggies made the most of this fumble returning it 27 yards for a touchdown. That was the start of Texas A&M’s 21 unanswered points, which proved too much to overcome for the Tigers.
Daniels completed 21-35 passes for 189 yards with no touchdowns or interceptions. He was LSU’s leading rusher with 84 yards on 12 carries.
Texas A&M outgained LSU 429-384.
LSU defensive lineman Jaquelin Roy was LSU’s leading tackler with 12 tackles including 1.5 for a loss.
Despite the loss, Kelly still had a positive outlook on his team's accomplishments this season.
“I think they’ve done incredible things,” Kelly said of his team. “This has been one of the most enjoyable years in my career. This was not a step back.”
LSU will face Georgia in Atlanta next week for the SEC Championship.
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