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by Jake Twining
GAME PHOTOS: Click here to view more
Coming into this season, expectations were high for both the #20 Texas A&M Aggies and #23 USC Trojans. USC kicked off their campaign with a thrilling upset over LSU at Allegiant Stadium but quickly learned the challenges of Big Ten play, starting 1-4 in conference with tough losses to Michigan, Minnesota, Penn State, and Maryland. The Trojans clawed their way to bowl eligibility, finishing 6-6 after a 3-2 stretch to close the season.
The Aggies took a different path to Las Vegas, highlighted by missed opportunities. After falling to a top-10 Notre Dame squad in their opener, Texas A&M rattled off seven straight wins before stumbling against South Carolina. A loss to Auburn followed, and despite finding themselves one win away from the SEC Championship Game, the Aggies fell to the Texas Longhorns in their final game. Both teams entered the bowl game with several starters opting out.
First Quarter
USC opened with the ball but quickly went three-and-out. Texas A&M, led by dual-threat quarterback Marcel Reed, responded with a methodical 16-play, seven-minute drive capped by a seven-yard touchdown catch from WR Noah Thomas. USC’s special teams provided a spark with a long kick return by Makai Lemon, but the offense couldn’t capitalize and punted the ball back to the Aggies.
Pinned deep in their own territory, A&M’s Reed threw an underthrown pass that USC safety Kamari Ramsey intercepted. Yet, the Trojans offense continued to sputter, punting again. A&M’s Jahdae Walker closed the first quarter with a 40-yard reception on 3rd-and-6 to keep their drive alive. The Aggies held a 7-0 lead after one.
Second Quarter
Starting the second quarter in USC territory, Aggies RB EJ Smith pushed into the red zone, but the Trojans defense held firm as Akili Arnold picked off Reed in the endzone. Momentum began to swing as USC’s offense came alive. QB Jayden Maiava connected with Ja’Kobi Lane on a 30-yard screen pass to tie the game at 7-7.
On the next Aggies drive, USC’s defense forced a three-and-out, and the Trojans offense, fueled by a revitalized run game, marched into A&M territory. However, Aggies DB BJ Mayes snagged an interception on a deep ball from Maiava, stalling USC’s momentum.
The Aggies couldn’t capitalize, as Braylan Shelby’s sack on 3rd-and-8 forced a punt. With just over a minute left in the half, USC orchestrated a long drive extended by two Aggie penalties. However, Michael Lantz’s 39-yard field goal attempt sailed wide as time expired, leaving the game tied 7-7 at halftime.
Third Quarter
The Aggies opened the second half with a statement drive. Big plays from Terry Bussey, Tre Watson, and EJ Smith set up a 1st-and-goal, and Marcel Reed connected with Noah Thomas on a jump ball for Thomas’s second touchdown of the game, putting Texas A&M ahead 14-7.
The Aggies defense followed with a quick three-and-out, giving the ball back to their offense. A 36-yard reception by Shane Calhoun and a key pass interference penalty moved A&M into the red zone. While the Aggies couldn’t punch it in, Randy Bond’s 27-yard field goal extended their lead to 17-7.
Momentum swung further in A&M’s favor when Cashius Howell intercepted Jayden Maiava on USC’s next drive, setting the Aggies up with a short field. Marcel Reed capitalized with his third touchdown pass of the night, a strike to Jabre Barber, giving Texas A&M a commanding 24-7 lead.
USC finally responded on their next possession. Maiava led a crucial drive, capped by a 17-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Kobi Lane—his second score of the game—to cut the deficit to 24-14. USC’s defense stepped up on the following drive, forcing the Aggies to punt. The Trojans’ offense then marched down the field, setting up a 1st-and-goal as the third quarter ended with A&M leading 24-14.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter opened with a bang as USC’s Bryan Jackson punched in a touchdown run, cutting Texas A&M’s lead to just 24-21 with nearly the entire quarter remaining. Energized by the score, USC’s defense forced another Aggies three-and-out.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Jayden Maiava made a costly error, sailing a deep pass into the hands of Dalton Brooks, giving Texas A&M possession at the USC 26-yard line. However, the Aggies failed to capitalize, and Randy Bond’s 39-yard field goal attempt missed wide, keeping USC within three points with 10 minutes left.
The Trojans took advantage of the reprieve. Clutch receptions by Makai Lemon and Kyle Ford pushed USC into Aggies territory, and Maiava found Ja’Kobi Lane for his third touchdown of the game. The score gave USC a 28-24 lead with just four and a half minutes to play.
Texas A&M responded with urgency, driving into the red zone in just five plays before the two-minute warning. Moments later, Marcel Reed capped the drive with a 19-yard touchdown run, reclaiming the lead for the Aggies, 31-28, with 1:49 remaining.
USC, however, had one final answer. Maiava, bolstered by two huge catches from Ja’Kobi Lane (33 and 11 yards), marched the Trojans down to the Aggies’ 7-yard line. With time ticking away, Maiava delivered the game-winning touchdown pass to Kyle Ford—his fourth of the day—sealing a dramatic 35-31 victory for the Trojans.
JPWest Media Las Vegas Bowl MVP: Ja’Kobi Lane (7 receptions, 127 receiving yards, 3 TDs)
