The much-anticipated Las Vegas Bowl matchup between Texas A&M Vs USC was an exciting contest that ended with USC winning 35–31. Despite having the lead for the majority of the second half, Texas A&M was unable to stop the Trojans’ late comeback.
The Trojans pulled off an incredible comeback in the fourth quarter after the Aggies established a dominant three-point advantage in the second half. The star of the show was USC wide receiver Jacobe Lane, who hauled in seven passes for a game-high 127 yards and three touchdowns.
Marcel Reed, the quarterback for Texas A&M, recovered from two interceptions in the first half to gain 293 passing yards and three touchdowns. With less than two minutes left, Reed also added 46 rushing yards on nine carries, including a pivotal 19-yard touchdown run that gave the Aggies a brief lead.
Jaden Maiava, the quarterback for USC, completed 22 of 39 throws for 295 yards, four touchdowns, and three interceptions.
Key Highlights from Texas A&M vs USC:
First Quarter:
- 6:37 – The Texas A&M defense got off to a fast start bY forcing USC’s three-and-out offensive series. The Aggie offense responded with a 16-play march that consumed more than seven minutes of clock time and ended on Marcel Reed’s 7-yard touchdown pass to Noah Thomas, giving them an early 7-0 lead over the Trojans.
Second Quarter:
- 10:16 – A potential second touchdown for the Aggies turned to despair when a pass intended for Noah Thomas was tipped into the hands of a USC defender. The Trojans took it 74 yards in six plays, score on the drive being a 30-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Lane. That made it 7-7.
- Halftime Score: Texas A&M 7, USC 7.
Third Quarter:
- 13:03 – A&M began the third quarter powerfully, with eight plays in all covering 76 yards. After a pass interference call, Marcel Reed hit Noah Thomas again for 5 yards and a touchdown, making it 14-7 Aggies.
- 6:12 – A 27 yard field goal from Randy Bond increased the lead 17-7 for Texas A&M.
- 5:12 – Battered by a quick score from Reed and Jabre Barber, his defense finally came through when Cashius Howell intercepted a batted pass. The Aggies led, 24-7.
- 3:42 – USC began to counterattack by scoring a touchdown on a pass from Maiava to Jocab Lane, reducing the margin to 24-14.
Fourth Quarter:
- 14:24 – Brian Jackson’s 1 yard run narrowed of A&M to 21-24.
- 4:30 – The lead changed hands for the fourth time in the game when USC scored consecutive touchdowns from 24 to 28 off these field goals.
- 1:49 – With seven plays in all covering 87 yards, Marcel Reed drove A&M in brilliant fashion downfield and finished by hitting Jarrod Johnson for 91 yards and a score which put the Aggies ahead again at 31-28.
- 0:08 – USC’s last pass of the day, a beautiful catch that he allowed to pass before catching it and then cleared a way another receiver in order for Ford to make off on his seven yards touchdown which wasn’t enough, Maiava to Kyle Ford for 31. game. This touchdown empowered the Trojans to defeat the Aggies in a completely unexpected upset, 35-31.
The Texas A&M vs USC showdown was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, with breathtaking plays and a dramatic finish. Despite their efforts, the Aggies couldn’t hold on to their lead, leaving fans with an unforgettable clash on the field.
