- Mario Craver logged a career-high 11 receptions with 119 yards.
- The Aggies registered 400 yards of total offense for the second game this season.
- After an evenly-matched first half, Kentucky used a strong third quarter to pull away.
COLLEGE STATION – No. 9 Texas A&M dropped a 31-21 decision to Kentucky in its first SEC game of the season Saturday afternoon at Kyle Field.
The score was knotted at 7-7 heading into halftime, but the Aggies could not erase a 21-point deficit entering the fourth quarter.
Junior wide receiver Mario Craver headlined the offensive attack with 119 yards on a career-high 11 receptions. Senior quarterback Marcel Reed completed 26 passes on 49 attempts for 236 yards and one passing score, while leading the squad with 80 rushing yards and a touchdown. Freshman running back Carsyn Baker added a rushing score of his own in the second quarter.
Defensively, senior defensive tackle DJ Hicks and graduate defensive end Anto Saka logged 0.5 sack each, while senior defensive end T.J. Searcy recorded a sack in the second quarter. Senior safety Marcus Ratcliffe led the unit with seven tackles.
How it Happened
- With 5:18 to play in the first half, Baker scampered 2 yards into the end zone to put the Aggies on the board first.
- The Wildcats evened the score at 7-7 on a 3-yard receiving score from Henry Boyer in the final two minutes of the half.
- Kentucky opened the second half with a 42-yard passing touchdown to Kenny Darby, claiming a 14-7 advantage.
- The visitors extended the edge to 21-7 on a 3-yard rushing score by CJ Baxter.
- Baxter charted a 2-yard rushing score on the ensuing drive to make it a 28-7 game.
- Reed scrambled for a 5-yard rushing touchdown on the Aggies’ first drive of the fourth quarter to cut the deficit to 28-14.
- Adam Zouagui converted a 52-yard field goal attempt to put the Wildcats ahead, 31-14, with 8:22 left to play.
- Reed connected with Micah Riley on a 5-yard touchdown with 3:45 remaining in the contest.
Game Notes
- Saturday’s attendance of 105,186 marked the 14th consecutive game of 100,000+ fans at Kyle Field.
- Marcel Reed registered the 47th passing score of his career, tying Corey Pullig for fifth-most all-time at Texas A&M.
- Mario Craver turned in his fourth career performance of 100 or more receiving yards.
- The junior wide receiver became the first Aggie to log 10 or more receptions in a game since 2023.
- Fifth-year tight end Micah Riley scored his first touchdown in the Maroon & White on a 5-yard reception in the fourth quarter.
- Marcus Ratcliffe matched a season high with seven tackles.
Up Next
Texas A&M hits the road for the first time this season to face LSU Sept. 26. The contest airs nationally on ABC with kickoff from Tiger Stadium slated for 6:30 p.m.
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