BATON ROUGE, La. – Sam Leavitt showcased his skills on Saturday night as he led No. 10 LSU to a convincing 35-6 victory over 23rd-ranked Texas A&M. The standout quarterback connected with Jackson Harris for two touchdowns, including a remarkable 57-yard pass during a fourth-and-short situation that displayed the innovative tactics of head coach Lane Kiffin.
As the play unfolded, Kiffin could be seen sprinting down the sideline, signaling for the play that would catch the Aggies off guard. Harris capitalized on the moment, breaking free down the middle of the field, to complete a pivotal touchdown that extended LSU’s lead to 21-3 in the third quarter. This strategic move effectively put the game out of reach for Texas A&M, who struggled to respond thereafter, marking their second consecutive defeat.
Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed faced significant challenges throughout the game, completing only 10 of 26 passes for a mere 106 yards. His performance was marred by inconsistency, with several throws missing their mark, and he was ultimately intercepted by safety Tamarcus Cooley deep in Aggie territory. The pressure from LSU’s defensive line proved overwhelming, as Reed was sacked four times, contrasting sharply with his previous success against the Tigers.
In the previous season, Reed had a remarkable performance against LSU, contributing to a 49-25 victory that secured Texas A&M a spot in the College Football Playoff. However, this time around, the Tigers’ defense, led by edge rusher Princewill Umanmielen, effectively neutralized Reed’s offensive capabilities, allowing no touchdowns and forcing a complete turnaround from last year’s encounter.
LSU opened the scoring early, with Dilin Jones rushing for a 1-yard touchdown, and never looked back. Leavitt, despite playing with an apparent leg injury, threw for 312 yards, demonstrating impressive accuracy with 17 completions out of 23 attempts (74%). His first touchdown to Harris came just before halftime, a 16-yard strike that solidified LSU’s 14-3 lead.
Late in the game, backup quarterback Landen Clark added two rushing touchdowns, extending the Tigers’ lead to 35-6. The victory was a relief for LSU, especially following a tough loss the previous week to Mississippi, and showcased their resilience and depth as a team. However, the injury to linebacker Whit Weeks, who exited the game in a walking boot, will be something the coaching staff will need to address moving forward.
The Takeaway
For Texas A&M, the recent performances have raised concerns, particularly regarding Reed’s struggles in SEC matchups. In two games, he has completed just 36 of 75 passes for 342 yards, one touchdown, and three interceptions. Coach Mike Elko’s support for Reed following the loss to Kentucky may not be enough to bolster confidence after this latest defeat, especially as Reed was replaced by Brady Hart in the fourth quarter.
Conversely, LSU’s performance underscores their determination to rebound from setbacks. With Leavitt’s ability to find his receivers and the effectiveness of their running game, the Tigers appear ready to tackle their upcoming challenges. They will host McNeese State next Saturday, while Texas A&M will look to regroup against Arkansas.
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