Skip to Main Content

Texas vs. Texas A&M score, takeaways: Longhorns stuff Aggies in return of rivalry, will play for SEC in Year 1

texasfootballhookemjpg.jpg
Getty

No. 3 Texas and No. 20 Texas A&M renewed their historic rivalry on Saturday night at Kyle Field with a trip to the SEC Championship on the line. Like they did the last time the two played in 2011, the Longhorns got the better of the Aggies, riding a dominant defensive effort in a 17-7 win. Texas did not surrender an offensive touchdown; the Aggies scored on a 93-yard pick-six of quarterback Quinn Ewers on a batted pass.

Texas held a 17-0 lead at halftime and won despite turning the ball over twice within the Texas A&M 10-yard-line (Ewers fumbled on Texas' next series) and having a punt blocked. The Longhorns stoned the Aggies on fourth-and-goal from the one-yard line a few plays later, effectively ending the game. 

The Longhorns (11-1, 7-1 in SEC) have won three straight in College Station against the Aggies and are 6-1 in Aggieland since 2000. Texas A&M began the season 5-0 against SEC opponents but has lost three straight, ending Mike Elko's debut season at 8-4 overall. Texas A&M's loss knocks the Aggies out of College Football Playoff contention. 

Texas will play Georgia in Atlanta for the SEC Championship and a first-round College Football Playoff bye. The Longhorns lost to UGA in Austin, 30-15, in mid-October. Both Texas and Georgia are widely considered as safely in the CFP field. 

Fast facts: Texas making history

  • Texas can become first team to win SEC title in first season in conference and is seeking back-to-back conference titles after winning Big 12 in 2023
  • Texas has back-to-back 11-win seasons for fourth time in school history
  • Texas has 11 straight road wins (longest active FBS streak)
  • Texas has won 5 straight road games vs AP/CFP-ranked teams for first time since 1981-85
  • Texas has fewest PPG allowed (11.7) in a season since 1983 (8.7) and has allowed 17 or fewer pts in 4 straight games and 10 of 12 games this season

CBS Sports was here with updates, highlights and analysis from the game. Read on below for more takeaways. 

Updates
(27)
See New Posts
 
Pinned
Link copied

Longhorns need rushing offense to thrive

Ewers was solid, but it was the rushing effort of running back Quintrevion Wisner that stood apart. He was sensational in the win, clearing 186 yards on 33 carries to transform the Longhorns offense. The Wisner's third 100-yard performance by, and gave him 344 yards over the last two weeks. The Longhorns racked up 240 yards as a team against a top-40 rushing defense. If Texas can continue to run the ball at a high level, it suddenly increases the ceiling for this program. In four Power Four games where Texas produced a 100-yard rusher, the Longhorns averaged 32.8 points per game. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Aggies must capitalize on offense

Texas A&M made a bold choice by handing the keys to freshman quarterback Marcel Reed after the win over LSU, but his youth showed up. Reed was skittish with the ball and rarely forced it more than 10 yards downfield. Ultimately, he averaged only 6.0 yards per pass attempt and only had one completion of more than 16 yards. Outside of Reed, Texas A&M's rushers mustered only 42 yards on 20 carries. 

The Aggies were a work in progress on offense after switching from a strict pro style to a flexible spread under offensive coordinator Collin Klein. At times, the system has displayed great results, including a 41-10 win over Missouri when the Aggies cleared 500 yards of offense. Texas A&M is No. 4 in the SEC in total offense during conference play, but the Aggies have to be better against top competition for them to reach their vast potential. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas defense is elite, but that QB situation…

Texas' defense did what it did all season in College Station: Play dominant, consistent football. The Longhorns' defense shut out the Aggies out with A&M's only points coming on a pick six. Texas entered the week first nationally in yards allowed per play and third in scoring defense. It'll remain in the top five entering the SEC championship game. The offense, however, remains a problem. Quinn Ewers had two red-zone turnovers, making what should have been a comfortable Texas win into anything but. Somehow, questions about Ewers vs. Arch Manning remain entering the SEC championship. It's the storyline that won't go away.

December 1, 2024, 4:15 AM
Nov. 30, 2024, 11:15 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas survives Kyle Field

FINAL: No. 3 Texas 17, No. 20 Texas A&M 7

No. 3 Texas rode a dominant defensive performance to a 17-7 victory over No. 20 Texas A&M at Kyle Field. The win came in the first iteration of the rivalry since 2011 and clinches the Longhorns a spot in the SEC Championship Game against No. 7 Georgia. 

The Longhorns defense was dominant against the Aggies, holding them to only 246 yards and 3.0 yards per carry. Defensive lineman Vernon Broughton posted two sacks and safety Michael Taaffe added an early interception off Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed that quickly quieted an early storm. The offense had some lapses, but held the ball for more than 4:30 on five drives.  

While Texas A&M's offense failed to create anything consistent, the defense and special teams created opportunities. Defensive back Will Lee III nabbed an interception off a tipped Quinn Ewers pass and returned it for a 93-yard touchdown. Cashius Howell forced a fumble off Ewers to end a drive in the goal line. Later, Texas A&M blocked a punt to give the Aggies starting field position in the red zone. However, they were stuffed at the one-yard line to leave the matchup without offensive points. 

Texas running back Quintrevion Wisner rushed for 186 yards in the victory to serve as the primary engine of the Longhorns' offense. Ewers added 218 yards through the air and 25 on the ground, though he had the two turnovers. Backup quarterback Arch Manning added a 14-yard rushing touchdown in the win. Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed led the team with 146 yards through the air and 58 on the ground. 

The Longhorns will now rematch the Bulldogs in Atlanta after Georgia dominated them 30-15 on their home field. The winner will likely receive the 2-seed and a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. Texas has not won consecutive conference championships since capturing three straight from 1994-96 under John Mackovic. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas A&M will likely get the ball back 

Late 4Q: No. 3 Texas 17, No. 20 Texas A&M 7 

Texas A&M will, barring something unforeseen, get at least one more crack at scoring. The Aggies were able to stuff Texas running back Tre Wisner -- a rare occurrence tonight -- on third-and-3 to force a likely punt when the game returns from the two-minute timeout. Time is running short on the Aggies, though. They'll have less than two minutes, and no timeouts, to score at least twice. Crazier things have happened but the odds of a full comeback are quite long at this point. 

December 1, 2024, 4:07 AM
Nov. 30, 2024, 11:07 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Aggies waste prime opportunity 

Late 4Q: No. 3 Texas 17, No. 20 Texas A&M 7

Texas A&M has had plenty of chances to battle back into this one. In fact, the Aggies just had a huge momentum-shifting play where Jahdae Walker blocked a Texas punt. Texas A&M recovered deep in Texas territory at the 19-yard line. Texas A&M moved the ball to Texas' 1-yard line, but the Aggies were held to fourth-and-goal. Instead of kicking the field goal and making it a one-possession game, coach Mike Elko elected to try and power the ball in for a touchdown. Texas A&M running back Amari Daniels was stoned in the backfield, leading to a turnover on downs and nothing for the Aggies. Texas has a prime chance to bleed the clock now. 

December 1, 2024, 4:01 AM
Nov. 30, 2024, 11:01 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Aggies force another turnover

End 3Q: No. 3 Texas 17, No. 20 Texas A&M 7

Texas A&M just created another opportunity for itself after forcing a fumble off Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers to give the offense a new opportunity. The Aggies are being outgained by nearly 250 yards, but Texas A&M can pull the game within one score if it can put together one of its first lengthy drives of the game. 

Ewers has been strong, completing 17 of 27 passes for 218 yards and a touchdown. He also added 25 yards on the ground. However, his two turnovers have been the one thing keeping the Aggies in the game. Still, Texas A&M sits below 100 yards passing and with an interception of its own. Texas A&M has not traveled more than 33 yards on a drive. 

The winner of the matchup meets Georgia in the SEC Championship Game next Saturday. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Another bad break

Every time Texas A&M seems to have an opportunity to take control of the game, something else goes wrong. On third down, the Aggies broke around the edge and seemed to strip-sack Quinn Ewers. Instead, Texas A&M was called for 12 men on the field and Texas got a key first down. Now, the Longhorns are deep into A&M territory. Texas A&M has lost almost every one of these close breaks.  

 
Pinned
Link copied

Aggies get spark

3Q: No. 3 Texas 17, No. 20 Texas A&M 7

Texas A&M finally got its first break of the game, and not a minute too soon. The Aggies tipped a Quinn Ewers pass which was picked off by Will Lee III and returned 93 yards for Texas A&M's first points of the game. There was initially a flag on the field, but the officials picked it up. The Aggies have new life. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas winning on third down

While Texas has been the better team on first and second down, the Longhorns have really made their money on third down going both directions. On a key third-and-8 in the third quarter, quarterback Quinn Ewers took advantage of a great deal of space and ran for a first down. One drive earlier, the Longhorns got a key stop on a similar third-and-8. 

The Longhorns are 5-of-9 on third down and added a fourth down conversion touchdown. Texas A&M is 3-of-8, but has failed both times on fourth down. Those margins have been critical. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas rolling at halftime

HALF: No. 3 Texas 17, No. 20 Texas A&M 0

No. 3 Texas put together a complete first half to take a 17-0 lead over No. 20 Texas A&M into halftime at Kyle Field. After some early shakiness, Longhorns quarterback Quinn Ewers found his poise, completing 11 of 17 passes for 142 yards and a pretty touchdown to running back Jaydon Blue in the corner of the end zone. 

Texas A&M's offense struggled to create vertical opportunities against the Longhorns and mostly stuck with the short passing game. Quarterback Marcel Reed threw for 80 yards and one interception but limped off the field to end the first half after getting stuffed on fourth down. 

The Longhorns went three-and-out on their first drive but then traveled at least 70 yards and 4:30 on three straight drives to physically take control of the game. Ewers, running back Quintrevion Wisner and backup quarterback Arch Manning all had runs of 15 or more yards to give Texas a dominant advantage. Texas posted 254 yards to Texas A&M's 141. 

The winner of the battle between Texas and Texas A&M will face off against No. 7 Georgia in the SEC Championship Game. The Aggies need to win the SEC title to have a shot at the College Football Playoff after losing a third game to Auburn. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Reed limps off

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed appeared to get hurt after failing to convert a fourth down conversion in the second quarter. Reed appeared to fall awkwardly after getting tackled and limped off the field with less than a minute before halftime. If Reed can't go in the second half, former starting quarterback Conner Weigman could get action in the second half for the Aggies. Weigman has completed 56% of his passes for 819 yards, three touchdowns and five interceptions. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas Extends Its Lead 

Texas scored on a third straight drive, kicking a 28-yard field goal, to take a 17-0 lead. The Longhorns are now averaging 7.3 yards per play after a three-and-out to open the game. 

December 1, 2024, 2:15 AM
Nov. 30, 2024, 9:15 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas gets a break

The Longhorns avoided disaster in the second quarter as safety Andrew Mukuba narrowly avoided being ejected for targeting. Mukuba attempted to tackle Texas A&M receiver Jabre Barber and appeared to make contact with Barber's helmet with the back of his own helmet. Had the play been upheld, Texas A&M would have had first down near midfield. Instead, the Aggies were forced to punt. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Aggies losing in margins

The most recent touchdown pass from Quinn Ewers to Jaydon Blue only exemplifies what kind of game it's been for the Aggies. Ewers fit the ball through a painfully tight window and Blue's foot barely grazed the edge of the end zone. Texas has capitalized on nearly every one of those close opportunities to build a 14-0 lead against Texas A&M. For the Aggies, it's been a throw that was just too far and intercepted, a fourth-and-1 where they were stopped just short and a near QB hurry that ended just too high for a roughing the passer. The Aggies have more than 100 yards on offense, but no points to show for it. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas Takes 14-0 Lead 

Quinn Ewers hit Texas running back Jaydon Blue for a touchdown in the right corner of the end zone to give the Longhorns a 14-0 lead. The play was initially called incomplete but was overturned upon review. 

December 1, 2024, 1:50 AM
Nov. 30, 2024, 8:50 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Longhorns lead early

End 1Q: No. 3 Texas 7, No. 20 Texas A&M 0

Texas has leaned on its rushing game to take an early lead in the historic matchup against the Aggies. The Longhorns got a rushing touchdown from quarterback Arch Manning on fourth-and-1 when he was inserted on a run-specific package. Starting quarterback Quinn Ewers also had a 26-yard scamper that could have been for more had he not stepped out of bounds, though Ewers has negative passing yardage. 

Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed has been a playmaker with 49 yards through the air and 20 on the ground, but threw an interception that helped set up the Texas scoring drive. The Aggies have rushed the ball 14 times in 18 plays. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Arch Time! (For now)

Arch Manning entered the game on a critical 4th-and-2 in the red zone and ran a zone read for a touchdown to give the Longhorns a 7-0 lead. Manning entering the game appeared situational as Quinn Ewers appeared ready to re-enter the game until the play was blown dead for a review.  

December 1, 2024, 1:22 AM
Nov. 30, 2024, 8:22 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas LT Kelvin Banks Injured


Texas All-American left tackle Kelvin Banks limped off the field midway through the first quarter with an injury. Banks is a key cog of Texas' offense and might be the most irreplaceable player on the Longhorns' roster. 

Banks later left for the locker room late in the first quarter. 

December 1, 2024, 1:13 AM
Nov. 30, 2024, 8:13 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Michael Taaffe With INT 

Texas safety Michael Taaffe picked off A&M quarterback Marcel Reed, who made an ill-advised throw into double coverage. The Longhorns will begin their next drive deep in their own territory. 

December 1, 2024, 1:09 AM
Nov. 30, 2024, 8:09 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Texas Gets Big Stop

Faced with a 4th-and-1 in the red zone on the first drive of the game, Texas A&M opted to go for it. The Longhorns made the stop, grabbing momentum early in the game after a promising opening drive by the Aggies. Texas will start the next drive from its 10-yard-line. 

December 1, 2024, 1:01 AM
Nov. 30, 2024, 8:01 pm EST
 
Pinned
Link copied

Aggies go first

Texas A&M will get the first snaps of the game after Texas won the toss. The Aggies will have an opportunity to set the tone. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Kyle Field is rocking

The Aggies have waited 13 years for the rematch and the crowd is engaged early. The stadium is probably 90%+ filled with Aggies with some assorted flecks of orange outside of the small visiting section. The press box is absolutely shaking as Texas A&M takes the field. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Game Prediction

Texas is the better team, they will contend for a national title and have more players picked in the NFL Draft. The Aggies are still searching for identity under first-year coach Mike Elko and need quarterback Marcel Reed to develop quickly. And yet, there's truly no telling what will happen in the renewal of this historic rivalry game. Texas got the last one at the buzzer, and it could easily go a similar direction this time. Regardless, the betting line is simply too large heading into what should be one of the most hyped games in the history of both programs. Pick: Texas A&M +5.5

Texas vs. Texas A&M live stream, where to watch, TV channel, kickoff time, odds, spread, prediction, pick
Shehan Jeyarajah
Texas vs. Texas A&M live stream, where to watch, TV channel, kickoff time, odds, spread, prediction, pick

Texas vs. Texas A&M prediction, pick, spread, football game odds, where to watch, TV channel, live stream

 
Pinned
Link copied

Fearsome defender

Texas A&M defensive lineman Nic Scourton has emerged as one of the top overall defenders in the SEC during his first year with the Aggies. Scourton has posted 14 tackles for loss and five sacks for the Aggies, including a combined four tackles for loss and two sacks in big wins over Missouri and LSU. Scourton will have to be at his best against the talented Texas offensive line to give the Aggies a chance. 

 
Pinned
Link copied

Questionable Quinn

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers will start for the Longhorns against Texas A&M, but has been hobbled after suffering an ankle injury against Kentucky. Ewers suffered the injury in the first half and threw only three passes in the second half of the 31-13 victory. He has been receiving consistent treatment on his ankle all week, but Arch Manning could get some snaps. 

Texas QB Quinn Ewers hobbled by ankle injury, updates status ahead of rivalry game at Texas A&M
Shehan Jeyarajah
Texas QB Quinn Ewers hobbled by ankle injury, updates status ahead of rivalry game at Texas A&M

Texas QB Quinn Ewers hobbled by ankle injury, updates status ahead of rivalry game at Texas A&M

 
Pinned
Link copied

Rivalry returns

Texas and Texas A&M have not played since 2011, but the game is set to be one of the biggest in history as both teams play for a trip to the SEC Championship Game. The Aggies have not played for a conference title since 1998 and the two teams have not won 10 games in the same season since 1975. 

"It's long overdue," former Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee said of the rivalry. 

Texas vs. Texas A&M: College football's most missed rivalry is back and bigger than ever
Shehan Jeyarajah
Texas vs. Texas A&M: College football's most missed rivalry is back and bigger than ever

Texas vs. Texas A&M: College football's most missed rivalry is back and bigger than ever