LSU Defeats Texas A&M, 24-19

Mike Evans #13 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs the ball against Eric Reid #1 and Jalen Collins #32 of the LSU Tigers at Kyle Field on October 20, 2012 in College Station, Texas.

The sixth-ranked LSU Tigers picked up a big SEC win on Saturday afternoon, defeating the 18th-ranked Texas A&M Aggies, 24-19, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.

Texas A&M scored first, as Christine Michael capped off a 12-play, 66-yard drive, on the initial possession of the game, with a 2-yard touchdown run. After a missed PAT, the Aggies led the game, 6-0, at the 10:46 mark of the opening quarter.

The Aggies extended that lead to 9-0 at the 5:41 mark of the first quarter, when Taylor Bertolet connected on a 32-yard field goal wrapping up the scoring in the first period.

Bertolet hit his second field goal of the first half at the 7:24 mark of the second quarter, this one from 50 yards out, to give Texas A&M a 12-0 advantage.

LSU was able to score two touchdowns in the last two minutes to grab the lead before halftime, however, thanks to two Texas A&M turnovers.

The first Tiger touchdown came at the 1:49 mark of the second quarter, as Michael Ford capped off a 7-play, 58-yard drive, with a 20-yard run, to cut the Aggies lead to 12-7.

After the LSU defense caused a turnover with an interception, six plays later quarterback Zach Mettenberger hit Kadron Boone with 29-yard scoring strike with only :11 left in the half, giving the Tigers a 14-12 lead, and advantage they took into the locker room at the half.

The score stayed that way until the 8:35 mark of the fourth quarter, when kicker Drew Alleman drilled home a 28-yard field goal, giving LSU a 17-12 lead.

The Tigers put the game on ice at the 3:12 mark of the final quarter when Jeremy Hill broke loose, and scored on a  47-yard touchdown run, making it 24 unanswered points, and a 24-12 LSU lead.

Texas A&M added a late touchdown, on a 5-yard run by Ben Malena, but the on-side kick was recovered by LSU, and the Tigers held on for the five-point win.

Despite the loss, Texas A&M out-gained LSU in terms of total yards, 410-316, including a 276-97 advantage in passing yards.

Quarterback Johnny Manziel paced the Aggies offensively, throwing for 282 yards, despite being intercepted three times, while Hill led the Tigers, with 127 rushing yards on 18 carries.

With the victory, LSU improved to 7-1 overall, and 3-1 in SEC play, while Texas A&M fell to 5-2, and 2-2, respectively.

View the game box score.