Texas A&M football: Aggies defeat LSU 74-72 in seven overtime thriller

By Will Leverett

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COLLEGE STATION — The No. 22 Aggies avenged a seven-game losing streak against No. 7 LSU on Saturday night as they took down the Tigers 74-72 in a seven-overtime thriller. Here are three takeaways from the highest scoring game in FBS history. 

Aggies refuse to go down

Though it took over five hours, the Aggies exorcized the Tiger demons that had haunted them since they joined the SEC. The Tigers gave the Aggies all that they could handle but the Aggies showed a calm and poised presence in adversity that seemed to be a different mentality than the A&M teams that had become notorious with November collapses. 

With one second left, the Aggies didn’t fret but rather spiked the ball and set up one last play in regulation, trailing 31-24. Kellen Mond linked with Quartney Davis for a 19-yard touchdown with time already expired to send the game into overtime. Countless times in the overtime periods the Aggies were on the ropes but continued to fight their way back. After the game, Fisher and multiple players accredited their late-game success to preparations made by new strength and conditioning coach Jerry Schmidt. 

Trayveon Williams continues incredible streak, clinches SEC rushing title 

A&M running back Trayveon Williams has been the most consistent player on the A&M offense and Saturday was no different as the back amassed over 100 rushing yards for the fourth consecutive game and the eighth time this season. Williams finished the night with 198 rushing yards and two touchdowns on a career-high 35 carries.

The A&M offensive line was able to control the line of scrimmage for the duration of the game and open up holes for Williams. The Tiger front came into the game ranked No. 30 in run defense allowing an average of 130.7 yards per game. The Aggies relied on Williams down the stretch and the performance lifted him to third in all-time rushing yards at Texas A&M. The feature back also clinched the SEC rushing crown for the season. 

Aggies neutralize LSU rushing attack 

The Aggie secondary has been the weakness on the defense throughout the season but it was clear that LSU wanted to keep quarterback Joe Burrow on the ground and utilize his legs. The quarterback ran for 100 yards and three touchdowns on a career-high 29 rushing attempts. Burrow had averaged just 25 rushing yards per game in the Tigers' first 11 games but head coach Ed Orgeron dialed up designed runs.

Led by linebacker Otara Alaka's 2.5 tackles for a loss, the A&M run defense was stout and held Burrow to 3.4 yards per carry and Tiger feature back Nick Brosette to an average of 3.8 yards per carry. 

Looking Ahead

With the win the Aggies finish (8-4) and clinch sole possession of second place in the SEC West. Texas A&M's postseason fate will be announced next Sunday. The Aggies will likely play in either the Outback Bowl or the Taxslayer Bowl. 

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