Second half collapse dooms LSU at Texas A&M

By Hunt Palmer

THE STORY: LSU made too many mistakes to win the game. The Tigers left nine points on the board with missed field goals when they were in control.

Nussmeier made poor decisions on the three interceptions, and Marcel Reed totally changed the game.

Once Reed and the Aggies started running the ball in the read option game, LSU’s defense didn’t have an answer.

The Aggies scored rushing touchdowns on the first four drives Reed piloted and did it with basically a single completed pass.

Perhaps the Tigers weren’t prepared for Reed, the Aggie backup quarterback. He had played in Conner Weigman’s absence due to injury earlier this season. LSU bottled Weigman up completely. It was a different story once Reed entered.

Meanwhile, LSU completely abandoned an unproductive running game and couldn’t throw it with enough consistency to sustain drives, produce points and avoid turnovers.

LSU warts are a lack of a running game and Nussmeier turnovers. Those were LSU’s offensive undoing.

LSU’s playoff chances are not dead, but they’re on life support. The Tigers will have to hope to win out and see where 10-2 gets them.

Texas A&M is now knocking on Atlanta’s door at 5-0 in league play.

THE STATS: LSU couldn’t run the ball or stop the run. The Tigers gained 33 yards on 22 carries on the ground. The long run of the game was 13 yards.

LSU second half rushing yards: 0

A&M, conversely, ran it for 245 yards on better than five yards per carry.

A&M runs of 10+ yards: 9

Conner Weigman Drives: 8 Total, 1 touchdown, 5 punts, 1 fumble, 1 turnover on downs

Marcel Reed Drives: 5 Total, 4 touchdowns, one field goal, 198 yards

Marcel Reed pass attempts: 2

Turnovers: LSU 3, Texas A&M 1

Total Yards: LSU 429, Texas A&M 378

Second Half Scoring: 31-6 Texas A&M

THE PLAYS: After LSU drove the ball 87 yards for a field goal to start the scoring, the Tiger defense forced a second down fumble from Le’Veon Moss. Former Aggie Jardin Gilbert fell on it at the A&M 36. After the play a 15-yard late hit was called on A&M’s Ar’maj Reed-Adams to start LSU’s drive at the Aggie 21.

The game’s first touchdown came off the turnover. Nussmeier lofted a gorgeous fade to Mason Taylor who hauled it in at the back pylon for a score. Tigers led by 10 with 3:51 to play in the first quarter.

On third and eight, just on the LSU side of midfield, Texas A&M ran the ball at LSU’s wrinkle that lines the pass rushers up. The Aggies converted with an 11-yard run by Amari Daniels. Moss scored four plays later to make it 10-7.

On third and 15 after a questionable false start call on Nussmeier, LSU converted on a 33-yard shot to Kyren Lacy to extend the drive. Lacy also converted a third down three plays later with a great double move route for a 21-yard gain to the A&M 28. Damian Ramos would miss the 48-yard field goal those plays set up.

A&M looked to have a golden opportunity to seize field position with six minute to play in the first half. Shemar Stewart dropped Caden Durham at the LSU seven yard line which would have set up third and 13 from the shadow of LSU’s goalposts. However, Jayvon Thomas was called for a facemask on Kyren Lacy to give LSU a first down and some breathing room.

Two plays later Nussmeier found Aaron Anderson for a 76-yard touchdown to put LSU back up 10.

LSU was trying to add insurance late in the first half, but the drive stalled at the 32. Ramos missed his second field goal of the night with 2:46 left in the period.

A&M faced a fourth and three from the LSU 42 yard line with a minute to play in the half. Mike Elko decided to go for it, and the ball was batted down at the line of scrimmage.

Texas A&M got its first real break of the game on Nussmeier’s first critical mistake. On third and two, Nussmeier was flushed out of the pocket and forced a looping throw into coverage. It was picked off by BJ Mayes. Marcel Reed took over for a clumping Weigman and immediately scampered in for eight yard score to cut the LSU lead to three with 8:10 left in the third.

A&M was penalized 27 yards for pass interference and unnecessary roughness. That put LSU into Texas A&M territory.

LSU self-destructed on the 46 field goal attempt that ensued. Slade Roy snapped the ball before Peyton Todd was ready. It bounced off Todd’s facemask and set the Aggies up at the A&M 40 in a 17-14 game.

A&M took its first lead on another Reed rushing touchdown. On third and five from the eight yard line, A&M dialed up a quarterback draw. Reed was pushed into the endzone by his offensive line. 21-17 Aggies with 16 minutes to play in the game.

On the second play of LSU’s next drive, Nussmeier was intercepted again. This time Mayes undercut an out route and picked it off at the 26.

Moss scored from nine yards out to put A&M up 27-17, but the score was brought back for an illegal blindside block by Jahdae Walker. The block was also ruled a targeting foul disqualifying Walker from the game and backing the Aggies up to 18 yard line for first and goal.

It didn’t matter. Three straight runs by Texas A&M put the ball in the endzone. The last was a read-option keep by Reed for a four-yard score. 28-17, A&M.

A chunk play down the field to Aaron Anderson put LSU inside the 10. After Trey’dez Green’s knee was ruled down at the 6-inch line. Nussmeier snuck it in for the score, a nine-play, 78 yard answer LSU had to have. The two-point try failed, and LSU trailed 28-23 with 9:57 to play.

Reed finally made a play using his arm. He found Noah Thomas for a gain of 54 down to the LSU 21.

Two plays later Moss scored from the three. A&M by 12 with 8:09 to play. That was the dagger.

Nussmeier was picked a third and final time with 6:31 left. He tried to flip the ball to Durham and didn’t see Taurean York peel back from rushing to intercept the pass.