Texas A&M falls to USC

On December 28, 2024By Littum

Texas A&M football suffered its fourth loss in five games Saturday, falling to USC 35-31 in the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl.

The Aggies led by three scores in the second half, but the Trojan horses stormed back in a furious fourth quarter. USC wide receiver Ja’Kobi Lane’s seven receptions for a game-high 127 yards and three touchdowns were key in the effort.

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed bounced back from two first-half interceptions to gain 293 passing yards and three touchdowns. He also added 46 rushing yards on nine carries, including a 19-yard touchdown run to give the Aggies the lead with less than 2 minutes to play.

USC quarterback Jayden Maiava was 22-for-39 for 295 yards, four touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Aggies scored a touchdown on the opening drive of the game, but followed it with two consecutive interceptions and two more punts on their next four drives.

A&M’s defense forced three first-half punts and collected an interception en route to a low-scoring half.

Reed finished the first half 11-for-21 with 99 yards, one touchdown pass and two interceptions. Running back EJ Smith had 76 yards from scrimmage, including 40 receiving yards. Rueben Owens added 56 yards on 13 carries.

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USC entered the game 6-6 and finished over .500 overall in their first season in the Big Ten. The Trojans were led in the first half by running back Bryan Jackson, who had 43 rushing yards on nine attempts. The Aggies defense tightened up on the run game in the second half; Jackson finished with 66 yards on 16 totes.

Find updates from Friday’s game below:

Jayden Maiava leads a clutch, but chaotic, drive that included a batted pass that the quarterback caught. His 7-yard strike to Kyle Ford won the game.

It was gut check time for the Aggies offense after falling behind, and Reed and Co. answered the call with a 7-play, 75-yard go-ahead drive, capped by a 19-yard Reed touchdown run to take back the lead 31-28.

After scoring 17 points in the third quarter, Texas A&M collapsed and fell behind with under five minutes left in the game. The Trojans matched the Aggies’ points and then some, leading late at 28-24.

A&M came out of halftime in complete control, but entering the fourth quarter, it is USC that has taken back the momentum with two consecutive touchdowns. The latest comes in the form of a ‘1-yard Bryan Jackson touchdown run to cut the deficit to 24-21.

Just when it looked like it was as bad as it could get for USC, the Trojans quickly drove down the field and hauled in a touchdown pass from Maiava to Ja’Kobi Lane, tightening the deficit to 24-14.

It’s been all Aggies in the third quarter, and the trend continues as pass rusher Cashius Howell tips a pass at the line of scrimmage and catches his own deflection for a game-changing interception. From there, A&M’s offense musters the nine yards needed to score the touchdown, with Reed finding Jabre Barber to push the lead to 24-7.

The Aggies come out of halftime scoring on back-to-back offensive possessions, this time settling for a 27-yard Randy Bond field goal to push their lead to 17-7.

To make up for his first-half mistake, Thomas collects his second touchdown of the game, this time scaling over a Trojan defender and overcoming pass interference to reel in the 5-yard touchdown pass in the corner of the endzone. The eight-play, 76-yard possession gives the Aggies the lead again, 14-7.

What should have been the Aggies’ second touchdown of the night, pushing their lead to 14-0, turned into a pass that bounced off Noah Thomas’ hands into the grasp of a Trojan defender. From there, USC was able to orchestrate an eight-play 74-yard drive, capped off with a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Lane to tie the score 7-7.

After the Aggies’ defense forced a three-and-out, the A&M offense came out of shooting itself with a 16-play drive, capped by a 7-yard Marcel Reed touchdown pass to Noah Thomas to give them the early 7-0 lead.

Texas A&M vs USC time today

Date: December 27
Time: 21:30
Location: Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.

What channel is the Texas A&M vs USC game on today?

TV channel: ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
Radio: 1370 in Austin; 1150 AM, 93.7 FM in College Station.

Texas A&M vs. USC will be televised nationally on ESPN. Dave Flemming and Brock Osweiler will call the game from the stands at Allegiant Stadium, with Stormy Buonantony reporting from the sidelines. Streaming options for the game include ESPN+ and Fuboeach offering a free trial to new subscribers.

Texas A&M vs USC History

Series record: USC leads 3-0.
Texas A&M’s Last Win: REACH
USC’s last win: 47-28 (1971)

Texas A&M vs USC predictions

Tony Catalina: It’s hard to get a beat on how these non-playoff games will play out with all the changes and uncertainty. However, Mike Elko has a chance to get his ninth win of the season, and there is still enough talent in the program and coming back that I think A&M is capable of finding a way. Texas A&M 27, USC 20.

Texas A&M vs USC odds

Game lines and odds from BetMGM from Thursday:

Spread: Texas A&M is favored by 4.
Above/below: 54½
Moneyline: Texas A&M (-160), USC (+135)

Texas A&M 2024 schedule

USC football 2024 schedule

Sept. 1: USC 27, LSU 20
Sept. 7: USC 48, Utah State 0
Sept. 21: Michigan 27 USC 24
Sept. 28: USC 38, Wisconsin 21
Oct. 5: Minnesota 24, USC 17
Oct. 12: Penn State 33, USC 30 (OT)
Oct. 19: Maryland 29, USC 28
Oct. 25: USC 42, Rutgers 20
Nov. 2: Washington 26 USC 21
Nov. 16: USC 28, Nebraska 20
Nov. 23: USC 19, UCLA 13
Nov. 30: Notre Dame 49, USC 35
Dec. 27: vs. Texas A&M (Las Vegas Bowl)

Texas A&M football news

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