LSU Pulls Away from Texas A&M Football Late
Texas A&M football deferred after winning the toss, so LSU started on offense. The Tigers muffed the kickoff and started at their own 15. They went deep on their first play, but the Aggies had Brian Thomas well-covered. A short pass to Mason Taylor went for about 6, and another pass to Taylor was short of the sticks after a great tackle by Bryce Anderson. The intimidating offense of LSU went three and out on their first drive. A kick-catch interference call moved the Aggies up by another 15 yards, and Texas A&M football would begin in enemy territory.
Ainias took the first snap on a sweep for about three yards. Henderson on a keeper only got about a yard on second, and a scramble play was tracked down by Perkins 2 yards short of the first down. Perkins was injured on the play, however, and the Aggies faced a decision. They went for it on 4th and 2 and Henderson found Max Wright wide open, but the senior TE dropped the pass. LSU took over around the 42 yard line.
Daniels kept the ball for about a 7 yard gain, but a corner blitz by Bryce Anderson on second dropped the LSU back for no gain. A short pass to Brian Thomas should have been ruled short, but a generous spot gave the Tigers a first. On the next play, Daniels found Malik Nabers for his first catch of the day and another first. Good coverage downfield and some well-placed holds by the LSU OL resulted in a Daniels scramble down into the red zone. Logan Diggs was held out of the end zone on the next two plays, but the third rush found the end zone. LSU struck first to go up 7-0.
Rueben Owens had a good kickoff return to start the Aggies off at the 32, and a swing pass to Moss got the Aggies three on first. An Earnest Crownover run picked up 4 on second, and the Aggies were facing 3rd and 3. Another handoff, this time to Moss, picked up about 5 and the first. Two passes by Henderson to Ainias picked up another first. A couple of runs and a bad third down spot brought up fourth, but Moss barely picked up the first on a short run. A second down sack on the next series brought up 3rd and 12, but Henderson placed a great ball right in the soft spot of the zone to Ainias Smith to convert. Another TFL by LSU and short pass by Henderson to Ainias brought up a long third down and took Texas A&M football to the end of the quarter.