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Aggies win 2024 Southwest Classic
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Aggies win 2024 Southwest Classic

ARLINGTON – Texas A&M football and the Arkansas Razorbacks came out of the gates of the Southwest Classic on fire, but what seemed like a shootout turned into a defensive battle with the Aggies coming out on top 21-17.

The Aggies managed 137 yards on the ground against one of the nation’s best rush defenses, but most of that production came late in the game. A&M racked up 56 yards through three quarters before exploding for 137 yards in the final frame.

A late fumble by Razorback quarterback Taylen Green, forced by Aggies defensive lineman Nic Scourton, gave A&M its 12th win in the last 13 games against its old rival.

READ MORE: Aggies 2024 football, basketball stories, photos, analysis

Redshirt freshman quarterback Marcel Reed moved to 3-0 as the No. 24 Aggies starter. Noah Thomas had six catches for 109 yards and a touchdown.

Green 23-for-41 for 291 yards, a touchdown and an interception.

The Razorbacks’ offense came out firing, starting with a 75-yard touchdown pass from Green to wide receiver Isaac Teslaa on the third play of the game.

After the quick offensive score, the Aggies’ defense responded by forcing a three-and-out on the next possession. From there, the offense cashed in from 58 yards on a Reed pass to Thomas, tying the score at 7-7.

The Razorbacks pulled off some trickery to score their second touchdown of the day. A sack by A&M’s Jaydon Hill looked like it would force the Razorbacks into a punt.

Arkansas had a fake punt that picked up big yardage and kept the drive alive. From there, the Razorbacks continued a 10-play, 75-yard drive capped by an 8-yard Ja’Quinden Jackson touchdown run to put them back on top 14-7.

The scoring slowed briefly until midway through the second quarter. After an Aggies punt, the Razorbacks got the ball back deep in their own territory, trying to extend their lead.

However, Aggies’ defensive lineman Shemar Stewart had other plans. On a first down handoff, Stewart attacked the mesh point and blew up both the quarterback and running back, forcing a fumble. Aggies Scooby Williams picked it up and gave the offense the ball on the 10-yard line going in. Two plays later, Reed calls his own number from 5 yards out, and A&M ties it at 14-14.

What seemed like an offensive shootout settled down and became much more of a defensive battle as the half progressed. Both teams were able to make tough defensive stops, and despite finding themselves in opposing territory, neither could add more points after A&M’s tying touchdown midway through the second quarter.

Next up for Texas A&M is a home date against also-ranked Missouri.

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