No. 24 Texas A&M pulls of a win in the Southwest Classic

ARLINGTON, Texas - Texas A&M entered the Southwest Classic against the Arkansas Razorbacks seeking their third straight victory and the chance to solidify a 2-0 record in SEC play. In a hard-fought battle that lasted all four quarters, the Aggies ultimately emerged victorious.

Arkansas wasted no time, striking early with just 1:11 off the clock as Taylen Green connected with Isaac TeSlaa for a stunning 75-yard touchdown. The explosive play sent Razorback fans into a frenzy, igniting the jam-packed AT&T Stadium in Arlington. This lightning-fast drive marked the second-quickest scoring effort in Southwest Classic history at AT&T Stadium.

In response to the swift Razorbacks touchdown, the Aggie offense capitalized quickly, taking just three plays to find the end zone with a 58-yard pass from Marcel Reed to Noah Thomas, tying the game at 7-7.

After a third-down sack by A&M’s Jaydon Hill, the Razorbacks' cleverly responded with a big-yardage run by their punter, setting the offense up in scoring territory. Capitalizing on the momentum, Arkansas pieced together a 10-play, 75-yard drive, finishing with an 8-yard touchdown run by Ja'Quinden Jackson to regain the lead, 14-7.

Following an Aggies punt, the Razorbacks took possession deep in their own territory, looking to extend their lead. However, defensive lineman Shemar Stewart had other ideas, forcing a pivotal fumble that swung the momentum back to Texas A&M. Scooby Williams quickly recovered the loose ball, giving the Aggies' offense excellent field position at the Razorbacks 10-yard line. This set the stage for a two-play drive that culminated in a 5-yard touchdown run by Marcel Reed.

What initially appeared to be a high-scoring shootout took a dramatic turn after halftime, evolving into a fierce defensive battle. Both teams remained scoreless until the fourth quarter, highlighting the intensity and resilience of their defenses. Until the Razorbacks kicked a 45-yard field goal, making it 17-14.

Marcel Reed followed up by skillfully leading his team down the field, finishing the drive with a five-yard touchdown pass to Tre Watson. This crucial play gave the Aggies a 21-17 lead and ignited a surge of energy in the stadium.

The Aggies halted what appeared to be a threatening drive from the Razorbacks, which came to a halt at the A&M 43-yard line. However, in a surprising turn of events, Arkansas coach Sam Pittman opted to punt instead of going for it. Devin Bale's attempt to place the ball in the corner went out of bounds at the Aggies' 1-yard line.

Starting from their own 1-yard line, Texas A&M's drive concluded with a punt, but not before they advanced to Arkansas' 44-yard line, taking valuable time off the clock. Now trailing 21-17, Arkansas will kick off its next drive from their 10-yard line.

Arkansas' final opportunity to seize the game vanished in spectacular fashion when Texas A&M's Nic Scourton unleashed a game-changing sack, stripping Razorbacks quarterback Taylen Green of the ball. The Aggies jumped on the fumble, igniting a surge of excitement as they seized control and dashed Arkansas' hopes.

Texas A&M's thrilling 21-17 victory over Arkansas marked the Aggies' 11th win in the last 12 years of this historic rivalry series, which concluded its run at AT&T Stadium with yet another nail-biter. A pivotal defensive play by Nic Scourton clinched the win, while quarterback Marcel Reed celebrated his third consecutive start with a victory.

AGGIE KEY ANALYSIS:

Since their home opener loss to No. 16 Notre Dame, the Aggies have clearly shifted gears, boasting a 3-0 record in the wake of that defeat, including two crucial SEC victories on the road. This newfound momentum could signal a cultural transformation under Mike Elko’s leadership. Additionally, Marcel Reed is beginning to find his rhythm as the quarterback, demonstrating increasing comfort at the helm of the Aggie offense. It may soon be time to officially name the redshirt as the starting QB for Texas A&M, as he continues to solidify his position and lead the team effectively.