Texas A&M Aggies Road Losing Streak Extends To 10 Games vs. No. 14 LSU
Jimbo Fisher said Texas A&M was "three or four plays away from playing for a playoff spot" following a 51-10 win over Mississippi State.
Make it four or five plays now thanks to Heisman front-runner Jayden Daniels.
Daniels tossed four touchdowns, including the game-sealing 15-yard pass to Kyren Lacy to help No. 14 LSU pick up a 42-30 win over the Aggies on senior day. Daniels also rushed for 120 yards on 11 carries.
The Aggies (7-5, 4-4 SEC) will finish fourth in the SEC West standings and extend their road losing streak to 10 games. Even after Fisher's firing, similar problems still reside within the program.
Daniels entered Saturday leading the country in total touchdowns (46) and was the second player in SEC history to throw for 3,000 and rush for 1,000 yards in a single season. After a sluggish first half, the senior passer showed why his name belongs in the conversation for college football's most prestigious award.
A&M jumped out to a 24-14 lead following a 1-yard touchdown run from offensive lineman Mark Nabou. Daniels responded with a 49-yard run to set up a Joshua Williams 1-yard touchdown.
Daniels was only getting started. He found Brian Thomas Jr. for a 23-yard touchdown and later connected with Malik Nabers for a 21-yard score. The Tigers outscored the Aggies 28-13 in the second half, totaling 145 of their 389 yards.
Nabers, who entered Saturday leading the country with 1,424 receiving yards, broke LSU's reception record with his 184th catch in the third quarter. Nabers finished with a team-high six catches for 122 yards and two touchdowns.
Jaylen Henderson looked consistent for most of the game in place of the injured Max Johnson. He connected with David Bailey for a gain of 16 to set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Le'Veon Moss.
Henderson, who's started since Week 11, found Jake Johnson for a 14-yard touchdown in the closing seconds of the first half to give the Aggies a 17-14 lead. He finished 25 of 35 for 295 yards and two touchdowns against one interception.
Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Jaylen Henderson (16) passes the ball against the LSU Tigers during the first half at Tiger Stadium.
Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports
Ainias Smith tied Christian Kirk's 39-game consecutive catch streak with a 3-yard reception on A&M's opening drive. He finished with a team-leading eight catches for 59 yards. Jahdae Walker led the Aggies with 80 receiving yards on four receptions.
With just over seven minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, Henderson found senior tight end Max Wright for a 51-yard touchdown, bringing the Aggies within five points. A&M elected to make it a one-score game but failed to connect on the two-point attempt.
Back in College Station, Ross Bjork is working to zero in on a candidate to replace Fisher, who was fired before the end of his sixth season after going 11-11 the past two seasons. Reports indicated that Ohio State's Ryan Day could be a candidate if the Buckeyes were to lose to No. 3 Michigan on Saturday.
No. 2 Ohio State lost 30-24 in Ann Arbor, making Day 1-3 all-time against the Wolverines. Day has not confirmed he has spoken with Bjork or anyone on A&M's staff.
Interim coach Elijah Robinson will coach the Aggies in their bowl game next month. A&M will wait until next Sunday to find out where they will close out the lost 2023 season.
Other candidates for the Aggies' opening position include Arizona’s Jedd Fisch, Duke’s Mike Elko, Washington’s Kalen DeBoer, UTSA’s Jeff Traylor and Kansas' Lance Leipold. Bjork hopes to finalize the search by the end of next week.
