No. 5 LSU struggles in blowout loss to Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (WAFB) - No. 5 LSU (9-3, 6-2 SEC) struggled in its regular season finale as the Tigers fell to Texas A&M (5-7, 2-6 SEC), 38-23, on Saturday, Nov. 26.

With the loss, LSU’s chances to potentially make the College Football Playoffs are now gone. Texas A&M snapped a five-game SEC losing streak with its win over LSU.

LSU head coach Brian Kelly talks about the disappointing loss to Texas A&M ahead of the SEC Championship game.

LSU linebacker Mike Jones Jr. talks about the disappointing loss to Texas A&M ahead of the SEC Championship game.

LSU running back Noah Cain talks about the disappointing loss to Texas A&M ahead of the SEC Championship game.

Defensively, the Tigers struggled to stop the Aggie offense, giving up 416 total yards and 231 yards on the ground. Devon Achane led the way for the Aggies with 202 yards on 34 carries and two touchdowns. He rushed for more than 100 yards in the first half.

With the game tied at 17 in the third quarter, Jayden Daniels fumbled the ball. It was scooped up and returned for a touchdown by Demani Richardson to give the Aggies a 24-17 lead. Texas A&M led the rest of the way.

Texas A&M struck first after forcing an LSU punt. Connor Weigman led a 15-play, 90-yard drive capped off with an Achane touchdown to make it 7-0. LSU answered with a touchdown drive of its own as John Emery Jr. scored his first touchdown of the night to tie the game at 7-7.

The Tigers and Aggies then traded field goals on their next drives to keep the game tied at 10-10. Texas A&M added a touchdown before the half to take a 17-10 lead.

LSU forced the first three-and-out of the game to start the third quarter and the Tigers scored a touchdown on their first possession, as Emery found the end zone for the second time to tie the game at 17-17.

After the fumble return for a touchdown by the Aggies to take a 24-17 lead, the Texas A&M defense forced LSU to punt. The Aggie offense then added to the lead with a touchdown, as Weigman found Moose Muhammad to make it 31-17.

The Tigers were forced to punt again on their next drive and the Aggies scored once more, as Achane found the end zone for the second time to make it 38-17.

LSU answered quickly on a six-play, 75-yard drive that resulted in Emery’s third touchdown of the game to make it 31-23.

With time running out, the Tigers had a chance to score again, but on fourth down, Daniels’s potential touchdown pass to Jaray Jenkins was ruled incomplete.

The Tigers will face No. 1 Georgia on Saturday, Dec. 3, in the SEC Championship game in Atlanta.

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