In a thrilling SEC matchup, No. 14 Texas A&M defeated No. 8 LSU 38-23, largely due to a pivotal quarterback switch at halftime. Aggies head coach Mike Elko made the bold move to replace struggling starter Conner Weigman with freshman Marcel Reed, which sparked an impressive second-half rally and kept Texas A&M undefeated in conference play.
Weigman had a lackluster first half, completing only 6 of 18 passes for 64 yards, allowing LSU to take a 17-7 lead at halftime. Elko’s decision to bring in Reed quickly paid off; on his first drive, following an interception that set the Aggies up at the LSU 8-yard line, Reed rushed for a touchdown, narrowing the deficit to three points.
Reed proved to be a game-changing player for Texas A&M. Just minutes later, he scored another rushing touchdown, capitalizing on mistakes by LSU’s special teams and shifting the game’s momentum. His dual-threat ability troubled LSU’s defense, as he extended plays with his legs and connected on a key 54-yard pass to wide receiver Noah Thomas, adding a new dynamic to A&M’s offense.
Opinions among Texas A&M fans varied on the team’s next steps.
Regardless of future decisions, Elko’s halftime choice could be pivotal for Texas A&M’s aspirations for the SEC Championship and a College Football Playoff berth. Meanwhile, LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier struggled in the second half, throwing three interceptions after a strong start where he had over 250 passing yards and two touchdowns. These turnovers led directly to Texas A&M touchdowns, allowing the Aggies to pull away for the win.
This victory gives Texas A&M an important advantage in the SEC standings, now holding a tiebreaker over LSU. With a favorable schedule ahead, the Aggies are well-positioned for a serious shot at the SEC title and a potential playoff spot.
The lingering question is who will be Texas A&M’s starting quarterback moving forward, leaving Elko with a quarterback controversy to address.
