Post Game Review: Southern California 35, Texas A&M 31
In the fourth-ever meeting between the two storied universities, a second-half collapse allowed USC to score a last-second touchdown and beat Texas A&M in the 2024 SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl, 35-31.
The 9:30 p.m. CT showtime in Vegas offered some early success and late theatrics.
Captain Taurean York kickstarted the Aggies’ night defensively with a tackle-for-loss and broken-up pass to force a quick USC three-and-out.
Texas A&M’s offense found rhythm early as a read-option from signal caller Marcel Reed gained nine yards before Rueben Owens moved the sticks. A 12-yard reception from Tre Watson inched the Aggies toward midfield, and a series of short gains kept the offense operating.
Inside the 10-yard line, Reed threw back-to-back incompletions before finding Noah Thomas in the end zone to cap off the beautifully scripted 17-play march.
The Trojans earned their initial first down via scramble from quarterback Jayden Maiava. The next play, Cashius Howell shot out of a cannon off the edge to sack Maiava for a loss of 13. Howell’s monster play saddled any offensive momentum USC had.
Reed’s second opportunity began on the six-yard line, and after two completions, the quarterback threw into tight coverage, with Kamari Ramsey intercepting the pass. However, the USC offense mustered up just one positive yardage play before punting.
An electric 40-yard grab by Jahdae Walker highlighted what initially appeared to be another encouraging drive. To start the second quarter, EJ Smith rushed for 14 to set up the Aggies with a new set of downs on the 13-yard line. However, a dart in the end zone intended for Thomas was tipped up and intercepted by Akili Arnold.
After a 26-yard return from Arnold, the Trojans capitalized off the turnover and used a rush-heavy drive to ignite the offense. To knot the late-night clash, Maiava hit Ja’Kobi Lane, who took it 30 yards to the house.
After A&M’s first three-and-out, USC’s run game continued to thrive and worked its way right into A&M territory.
Yet, BJ Mayes hauled in his fourth interception of the year — the most by an Aggie since Armani Watts in 2017 — to switch the energy in Allegiant Stadium in favor of the Aggies for a few moments. Subsequently, A&M’s offense short circuited.
USC’s final drive before the half saw two negative plays and an incompletion on third down, which led USC to punt. A roughing the kicker penalty resulted in an automatic first down, but A&M’s defense did not allow another. On fourth down, Lincoln Riley sent out his field goal team, and Michael Lantz missed wide left.
The Trojans failed to take advantage of the penalty and A&M’s lack of second-quarter offense, and the score remained deadlocked at 7-all heading into the half.
After the break, A&M kicked off another half with an efficient march downfield. A screen pass to Terry Bussey gained A&M’s first chunk of yardage. Smith powered his way for a rush of 21 before passes of 17 and 16 placed A&M inside the 10. Reed connected with Thomas for his 15th career touchdown — entering the top 10 in A&M’s all-time record book.
A 36-yard dart to Shane Calhoun highlighted A&M’s next drive. Two penalties helped A&M advance into the red zone but it could not finish out the march with a touchdown. Randy Bond knocked a 27-yard field goal through to put the Ags up by 10.
Back on defense, Howell came up huge, deflecting a pass and catching it to plant the Aggies on the nine-yard line. Just three plays later, Reed launched a bullet to Jabre Barber to score A&M’s second touchdown of the quarter.
A pair of pass interference calls propelled USC right into A&M territory. The Trojans benefitted as Maiava delivered a strike to Lane to close the gap, 24-14.
A 28-yard catch from Makai Lemon crossed midfield, and a 14-yard reception from Lane allowed USC to sneak to A&M’s 20. Bryan Jackson rushed up the middle and across the goal line to bring the deficit to three.
Tyler White pinned the Trojans on the four-yard line, Dalton Brooks picked off Maiava to give the Aggies a golden opportunity in plus territory, but once again, the offense sputtered, settling for a field goal, which Bond missed wide right.
After an early USC third-down conversion, Maiava launched a laser to Lemon, who torched A&M’s secondary to pick up 33 yards. Runs from Jackson set up a third touchdown to Lane.
Needing to respond, quick pickups of 16, 12 and 13 later allowed Reed to haul it in himself from 19 yards out to steal back the lead.
With 1:44 to go, USC had one last offensive possession to try to win the ballgame. After seeping into A&M territory, a 33-yard gain put the Trojans inside the red zone. With eight seconds on the clock, Kyle Ford caught a seven-yard touchdown pass to win the game.
RUMBLED: Marcel Reed made strides on Friday night. Needing a touchdown drive late in the fourth, Reed delivered and relied on his legs to haul it in himself. Throwing for 292 yards, Reed’s ability as a passer was improved and will greatly benefit from the offseason ahead.
STUMBLED: Leading the entirety of the game until late in the fourth quarter, A&M blew a 17-point lead. A handful of issues walloped the Aggies down the stretch, and USC did not relent. A&M gave up four touchdowns in the second half.
TURNING POINT: Three unanswered scores from Collin Klein’s offense put A&M up 24-7 with 5:12 to go in the third. Yet, USC wasn’t done fighting. Back-to-back touchdown drives narrowed the deficit. One in the fourth quarter stole the lead, and although the Aggies found the end zone late, so did USC with seconds left on the clock.
UNSUNG HERO: Noah Thomas hauled in five receptions and two touchdowns for the Aggies in Las Vegas. With questions surrounding the receiver room throughout the season, Thomas was a consistent target for Reed all year long. The Aggies are lucky to have him on campus, and the wideout could excel in his fourth year in the program.
KEY STAT: A&M’s Achilles heel all season, the Aggies gave up seven passing plays over 15-plus yards, four of which surpassed 28 yards.
Scoring Summary
First-quarter
A&M: 6:31 - Marcel Reed 7-yard passing touchdown to Noah Thomas. Drive: 16 plays, 78 yards. TOP: 7:07. Texas A&M 7, USC 0
Second-quarter
USC: 10:16 - Jayden Maiava 30-yard passing touchdown to Ja’Kobi Lane. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards. TOP: 3:36. Texas A&M 7, USC 7
Third-quarter
A&M: 11:03 - Marcel Reed 5-yard passing touchdown to Noah Thomas. Drive: 8 plays, 76 yards. TOP: 3:51. Texas A&M 14, USC 7
A&M: 6:12 - Randy Bond 27-yard field goal. Drive: 8 plays, 74 yards. TOP: 3:55. Texas A&M 17, USC 7
A&M: 5:12 - Marcel Reed 5-yard passing touchdown to Jabre Barber. Drive: 3 plays, 9 yards. TOP: 0:43. Texas A&M 24, USC 7
USC: 3:42 - Jayden Maiava 17-yard passing touchdown to Ja’Kobi Lane. Drive: 3 plays, 71 yards. TOP: 1:26. Texas A&M 24, USC 14
Fourth-quarter
USC: 14:24 - Jayden Maiava 15-yard passing touchdown to Ja’Kobi Lane. Drive: 8 plays, 66 yards. TOP: 2:51. Texas A&M 24, USC 21
USC: 4:30 - Jayden Maiava 15-yard passing touchdown to Ja’Kobi Lane. Drive: 10 plays, 79 yards. TOP: 5:32. USC 28, Texas A&M 24
A&M: 1:49 - Marcel Reed 19-yard rushing touchdown. Drive: 7 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 2:41. Texas A&M 31, USC 28
USC: 00:08 - Jayden Maiava 7-yard passing touchdown to Kyle Ford. Drive: 10 plays, 75 yards. TOP: 1:41. USC 35, Texas A&M 31
