- Texas A&M fell to 4-5 overall and 1-5 in SEC play with the loss.
- Senior running back Rueben Owens II rushed for a season-high 137 yards.
- The Aggies have held every opponent this season to a third down-conversion success rate under 50% after holding the Gamecocks to 4-of-12.
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Texas A&M fell short to No. 21 South Carolina, 17-9, Saturday afternoon from Williams-Brice Stadium.
The Aggies entered the fourth quarter with a 9-7 advantage but were unable to hang on in the final period.
Fifth-year kicker David Olano accounted for all nine of the Maroon & White’s points, converting three field goals (40, 46, 44) on four attempts.
The Aggies limited the Gamecocks to 109 rushing yards, while holding the home team to just 4-of-12 on third down. Senior safety Marcus Ratcliffe led the unit with six tackles and chipped in a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. Freshman defensive tackle Bryce Perry-Wright made his presence felt in the second quarter with a strip-sack recovered by the Texas A&M defense. The Atlanta native totaled 1.5 tackles for loss and the strip-sack marked his first career sack and forced fumble.
The Aggies were led offensively by senior running back Rueben Owens II, who posted a season-high 137 rushing yards on 19 carries. The El Campo, Texas, native registered two carries of 40 or more yards, including a team-long 44-yard carry to open the second half. Senior quarterback Marcel Reed tossed for a season-high 251 yards, completing 25 passes on 43 attempts.
How it Happened
- After a scoreless first quarter, David Olano put the Aggies on the board first with a 40-yard field goal to open the second period.
- The Gamecocks captured a 7-3 edge on the ensuing drive with a 1-yard scoring reception by Mazeo Bennett Jr.
- Olano converted a 46-yard field goal in the closing seconds of the second quarter to make it a 7-6 ballgame at the break.
- The Maroon & White opened the second half with a 44-yard field goal by Olano to claim a 9-7 advantage.
- South Carolina’s Malik Orsan successfully made a 43-yard field goal with 8:14 to play to put the home team back in front, 10-9.
- The Gamecocks capped the scoring at 17-9 after a 41-yard touchdown rush by LaNorris Sellers with 1:19 left to play.
- The Aggies’ offense drove down the field in the final minute of the contest but could not secure a last-minute score for a chance to even the tally.
Game Notes
- Texas A&M rushed for 200 or more yards for the fourth time this season.
- Owens’ season-high 137 rushing yards was the fourth 100-yard performance of his career.
- After holding South Carolina to 4-of-12 on third downs, the Aggies have held every opponent this season to a less than 50% success rate on third down.
- Olano’s three field goals were a season-high and marked the fifth game of his career with three or more successful attempts.
Up Next
Texas A&M returns home to face Tennessee in its “Operation Blackout” game Saturday, Nov. 14. Kickoff from Kyle Field will take place between 2-3:15 p.m. on ESPN or SEC Network.