Texas A&M Football: News and notes from around the SEC in Week 12

2. Texas A&M beats a Mississippi school for the first time since 2015

Mississippi football has been a thorn in Kevin Sumlin’s side since 2015. After hot starts and a rise to the top 10 in consecutive years, Mississippi State and Ole Miss have sent the Aggies reeling in consecutive seasons.

In 2016 the Aggies found themselves ranked fourth in the first College Football Playoff poll of the season, and then promptly lost 29-28 to Ole Miss at Kyle Field in quarterback Shea Patterson’s college debut.

The following week they fell at home to Mississippi State. Until this weekend the last Texas A&M quarterback to beat a Mississippi school was Kyle Allen. He beat a Dak Prescott-led Mississippi State team 30-17.

RELATED: Aggies win the tale of two halves vs. Ole Miss

Given the history, the Aggies November woes, and the questions surrounding Kevin Sumlin’s job security this game was a must-win.

The first two drives for each team ended in touchdowns and then all offensive production stopped cold. The only touchdown scored in the second half was a 19-yard pick six by Texas A&M freshman Derrick Tucker, which ended up being the game winner.

The Aggies played catch up for a majority of the game and trailed 24-21 in the third quarter until Tucker’s pick six. It didn’t help that the Aggies had points taken off the board courtesy of a miscue by the referees for the second time this season.

In the end the Aggie defense was able to shut down the potent Ole Miss offense and the offense was able to do just enough behind Nick Starkel to get the win. The Aggies still have the possibility of a nine-win season in play as well.