Texas A&M defeats rival Texas in finale
The no. 17 ranked Texas A&M Aggies were victorious over their in state rival and unranked Texas Longhorns, 24-17. The Aggies gave the Longhorns their first losing season since 1997 and denied them an opportunity to reach a bowl game.
Game highlights
It was a defensive struggle for much of the first quarter between the Aggies and Longhorns. Texas wide receiver Marquise Goodwin got the party started by catching a 31-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Garrett Gilbert at 1:21.
Aggies running back Cyrus Gray got Texas A&M on the board in the second quarter, rushing for an impressive 84 yard touchdown. Gray’s touchdown tied the game going into the second half.
The Aggies started the third quarter with a Randy Bullock 50 yard field goal to take the lead over the Longhorns at 12:06. Texas A&M continued their dominance with a two yard touchdown pass from quarterback
Ryan Tannehill to Jeff Fuller.
The Longhorns kept the game close with Gilbert rushing for a one yard touchdown at 4:39 of the third, however, the Aggies responded 16 seconds later with Gray rushing 48 yards for another touchdown.
The only scoring in the fourth was courtesy of Longhorns kicker Justin Tucker who hit a 24 yard field goal, but it was not enough to keep the Aggies from winning.
Game statistical leaders
Ryan Tannehill finished the game with 14 completions out of 30 attempts for 128 yards and one touchdown. His counterpart, Garrett Gilbert, was made 20 completions for 219 yards and one touchdown but two costly interceptions.
Cyrus Gray led the Aggies on the ground with 27 carries for 223 yards and two long rushing touchdowns. Longhorns’ running back Cody Johnson finished the game with 14 touches for 107 yards to lead Texas on
the ground.
Aggies wide out Kenric McNeal led the team in receiving yards with six receptions for 64 yards. Texas’ leading receiver was Foswhitt Whittaker who had five receptions for 59 yards.
Thoughts on the game
"We set out at the beginning of the season to do this," Texas A&M senior center Matt Allen said according to espn.go.com. "Beat Texas and win in November."
With the loss, the Longhorns will not be playing in a bowl game despite their appearance in the BCS National Championship last year.
"From the first scrimmage of the year, I didn't see what I wanted," Texas coach Mack Brown said to the Associated Press. "I learned I don't like losing. It's been 20 years since I haven't been to a bowl."
What’s next
The Longhorns disappointing season is over and now it will be time for changes for the squad.
"There's a lot of evaluation that has to be done on players, on coaches and staff," Brown said to the AP. "I've got a lot of work to do here."
Meanwhile, the Aggies will be heading to a bowl game for the 31st time in school history but it will depend on what voters decide to determine which bowl game they appear in.
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