With mounting pressure on LSU (5-3, 2-3) coach Brian Kelly after losing two of LSU’s last three games, and LSU’s playoff hopes on life support, the Tigers’ backs were against the wall against Texas A&M (8-0, 5-0).
And the Tigers came ready to respond - for one half.
However, in the second half, LSU saw its 18-14 lead fall apart as quickly as the pocket collapsed on Garrett Nussmeier all night, as LSU fell to Texas A&M 49-25.
Texas A&M scored touchdowns on three consecutive drives and returned a punt for a touchdown while suffocating LSU’s offense to 14 yards and a single first down in the third quarter. The Aggies outgained LSU 132-14 in the third quarter.
“No one is more disappointed than our football team,” Kelly said. “They are looking for answers, and I have to be able to provide that for them. The performance in the second half was the most disappointing part of this game.”
Before you could look up, the Aggies found themselves on a 35-0 run with a 49-18 lead.
LSU added a meaningless touchdown on the final drive of the game to cut the Aggies' margin to 24.
Texas A&M outgained LSU 426-278.
LSU quarterback Garret Nussmeier completed 22 of his 35 passes for 168 yards and a touchdown. His favorite target was LSU receiver Barion Brown with four catches for 60 yards.
LSU running back Harlem Berry was LSU’s leading rusher with 59 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.
Defensively, LSU safety AJ Haulcy led the way with 12 tackles, an intercetion and a pass breakup.
