No. 3 Texas A&M Routs No. 20 LSU, 49–25, to Stay Perfect
Marcel Reed and KC Concepcion Lead the Aggies’ Second-Half Surge
BATON ROUGE, La. — The No. 3 Texas A&M Aggies continued their unbeaten run through the SEC with a commanding 49–25 victory over No. 20 LSU on Saturday night at Tiger Stadium. Quarterback Marcel Reed accounted for four touchdowns — two rushing and two passing — while KC Concepcion totaled 177 all-purpose yards and two scores as the Aggies turned a halftime deficit into a dominant second-half performance.
The win improved Texas A&M to 8–0 overall and 5–0 in SEC play, marking the program’s best start since 1992 and its first victory in Baton Rouge in over 30 years.
Early Fireworks in Death Valley
The opening half featured highlight plays, special teams drama, and momentum swings that energized the packed Tiger Stadium crowd. Texas A&M struck first when Reed burst through the LSU defense for a 41-yard touchdown run, giving the Aggies an early 7–0 lead.
LSU quickly countered with a 74-yard scoring drive, capped by Garrett Nussmeier’s five-yard touchdown pass to Trey’Dez Green to even the score at 7–7.
Late in the first quarter, Reed found Concepcion on a 15-yard touchdown pass, putting A&M ahead 14–7 and capping a crisp 75-yard drive. The Tigers responded with big plays on defense and special teams in the second quarter to regain control.
Jhase Thomas blocked a punt through the end zone for a safety, narrowing the gap to 14–9, before A.J. Haulcy intercepted Reed in the end zone to halt another Aggie drive. LSU capitalized on the turnover with Harlem Berry’s seven-yard touchdown run, taking a 15–14 lead after a missed extra point.
Moments later, linebacker Harold Perkins Jr. intercepted a tipped pass, setting up a 30-yard field goal by Damian Ramos to extend LSU’s lead to 18–14. The Tigers carried that advantage into halftime, appearing poised for an upset.
Aggies Take Control After the Break
Texas A&M came out of the locker room with renewed focus and fire. On the first possession of the second half, Reed led a nine-play, 56-yard drive, finishing it himself with a five-yard touchdown run to put the Aggies back in front 21–18.
The defense immediately followed with a three-and-out, setting up a game-changing special teams play. Concepcion fielded a punt near his own 20-yard line, weaved through defenders, and sprinted 79 yards down the sideline for a punt return touchdown that stunned the LSU crowd and gave A&M a 28–18 lead.
Midway through the third quarter, Reed found Jamarion Morrow for a 24-yard touchdown, extending the Aggies’ advantage to 35–18. The offense, which had sputtered early, found rhythm and explosiveness as the Tigers’ defense began to tire.
Defense Dominates the Second Half
While the Aggies’ offense came alive, their defense completely shut down LSU after halftime. Texas A&M sacked Nussmeier seven times and logged 11 tackles for loss, suffocating LSU’s attack and seizing control of the line of scrimmage.
Defensive end Cashius Howell continued his breakout season with two sacks, raising his total to 9.5 on the year — the most by an Aggie since 2017. Safety Dalton Brooks recorded six tackles and helped anchor the secondary, while linebacker Chris Russell Jr. stuffed multiple rushing attempts on early downs.
The relentless pressure forced LSU into long-yardage situations throughout the half. Early in the fourth quarter, Nate Boerkircher powered in for a one-yard touchdown run, stretching the lead to 42–18.
Five minutes later, Morrow scored again — this time on an 11-yard run, his first career rushing touchdown — to make it 49–18 and effectively end the contest. LSU added a late score when Kyle Parker caught an 11-yard pass from Rickie Collins, closing the gap to 49–25.
Reed’s Historic Night
Marcel Reed turned in one of the most complete performances of his young career. He became the first Aggie since Johnny Manziel in 2012 to record at least two passing and two rushing touchdowns in a true road game.
Reed completed 12 of 21 passes for 202 yards and rushed for 108 yards on 12 carries, averaging more than nine yards per attempt. His ability to extend plays, evade pressure, and make throws on the move kept LSU’s defense off balance.
The sophomore’s dual-threat command has transformed A&M into one of the most dynamic offenses in the SEC. Saturday marked the seventh straight game in which the Aggies surpassed 400 total yards, continuing a streak that underscores their offensive balance and efficiency.
Concepcion’s Breakout and Special Teams Impact
KC Concepcion delivered a complete performance that showcased his versatility. He finished with 177 all-purpose yards, including a 15-yard touchdown reception and a 79-yard punt return score that shifted the game’s momentum.
Concepcion’s return marked Texas A&M’s first special teams touchdown of the season and reflected the Aggies’ renewed focus on field position and execution.
Morrow contributed 35 receiving yards and two touchdowns, while Boerkircher added a short-yardage score. The Aggies averaged seven yards per play on 61 offensive snaps, demonstrating both precision and explosiveness.
LSU’s Missed Opportunities
For LSU, the loss was a frustrating example of squandered momentum. The Tigers produced 18 first-half points with strong defensive play and special teams but were overwhelmed after halftime.
Nussmeier finished with 168 passing yards and one touchdown, but constant pressure limited his effectiveness. Harlem Berry rushed for 66 yards and a score, while Green and Parker added touchdown receptions.
The defense intercepted Reed twice in the first half but failed to force any turnovers in the second. LSU fell to 5–3 overall (2–3 SEC), suffering its third conference loss of the year.
Historical Context and Significance
The 49 points were the most ever scored by Texas A&M at Tiger Stadium, breaking a program record that had stood for over 50 years. The victory marked A&M’s second straight win over LSU and the second consecutive year in which the Aggies scored more than 40 points against the Tigers.
Under head coach Mike Elko, the Aggies have won back-to-back road games against ranked opponents, including recent triumphs over Notre Dame (41–40) and Arkansas (45–42).
Defensively, the team has allowed just 13 second-half points across its last two meetings with LSU, underscoring its growth into one of the nation’s most complete units.
What’s Next
Texas A&M enters its second bye week before closing its three-game road stretch with a trip to Missouri on November 8. The Tigers, currently 6–2, will be looking to rebound from a 17–10 loss to Vanderbilt.
LSU will have a week off before traveling to Alabama, aiming to regroup and reignite its postseason hopes.
Final Takeaway
The 49–25 victory over LSU was more than just another win — it was a display of depth, resilience, and dominance. Marcel Reed’s four-touchdown effort, KC Concepcion’s explosive impact, and a relentless defensive front defined a performance that solidified Texas A&M’s place among the elite of college football.
From start to finish, the Aggies showcased why the road to the SEC title may now run directly through College Station — and why this team continues to look every bit the national contender it was built to be.








