Overview
- South Carolina took a 30-3 halftime lead after a first-half avalanche that included a strip-sack and fumble return and back-to-back interceptions of Marcel Reed.
- The Aggies’ first half featured two missed field goals, a dropped would-be touchdown, and three giveaways with Reed throwing two picks.
- Texas A&M answered with 21 straight points, highlighted by a 39-yard touchdown to Ashton Bethel-Roman and a 14-yard strike to Nate Boerkircher, cutting the gap to 30-24 late in the third quarter.
- Bethel-Roman appeared to be injured on a 76-yard gain during the rally, and his status for the final quarter was not immediately known.
- Coverage notes potential effects on playoff positioning and Marcel Reed’s Heisman odds, as national voices criticized the first-half collapse and questioned contract-extension headlines around coach Mike Elko.