Texas A&M Aggies Beat South Carolina Gamecocks 30-17: Live Game Log
The Texas A&M Aggies host the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field in a matchup between teams with very frustrated fanbases. Shane Beamer took over at South Carolina in 2021 and immediately injected new energy into the program. But that has not resulted in wins on the field. An overall record of 17-16 and a conference tally of just 8-13 is no doubt wearing thin.
While positive change doesn't happen overnight, it's now two and a half seasons in. And just like the Aggies, the Gamecocks are dealing with some struggles.
This season has brought disappointing starts to both programs. The Gamecocks have to win their final three matchups - starting in College Station on Saturday - to avoid the first losing season in Beamer's short tenure, while the Aggies need a ton of things to happen in the SEC West in order to make the trip to Atlanta.
Texas A&M Aggies vs. South Carolina Gamecocks
USA Today Sports
South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler is in his fifth season collegiately after starting his career in Norman, Oklahoma with the Sooners. He is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal Gamecocks season. Rattler is averaging 277 yards per game through the air and has 11 touchdowns, but the Aggies will counter with a suffocating defense that leads the country with 29 sacks, led by linebacker Edgerrin Cooper.
The Aggies won the first eight games of the series since joining the SEC, but South Carolina halted that streak with a 30-24 win last season.
The winner will receive the coveted Bonham Trophy, which is named for South Carolina graduate James Bonham, who fought at the Alamo, 170 miles from the Texas A&M campus.
Live updates will appear below after kickoff...
The Gamecocks won the toss and elected to defer possession until the second half.
FIRST QUARTER: Gamecocks 7, Aggies 0
The kickoff goes to the goal line, returned 17 yards to the TAMU 17 by Rueben Owens.
Max Johnson throws incomplete on first down, then Owens runs for two. On 3rd and 7, Johnson throws incomplete to Stewart on the right sideline. They weren't on the same page and it's a quick three-and-out for the Aggies.
The punt goes 34 yards, out of bounds at the SC 46.
Spencer Rattler passes complete to Mario Anderson for three, then Anderson runs for two. On 3rd and 5, Rattler hits Nyck Harbor, but he drops it for an incomplete pass.
The Kai Droeger punt goes 49 yards into the end zone for a touchback.
Ainias Smith runs for a gain of one, then Johnson is sacked for a loss of eight by Marcellas Dial. On 3rd and 17, Johnson finds Stewart for 16.
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION AGGIES: On 4th and 1 from the TAMU 29, Johnson sneaks up the middle for four and a first down.
Daniels runs up the middle for 11.
Johnson is sacked by Tonka Hemingway for a loss of four, then Johnson passes incomplete to Noah Thomas. On 3rd and 14, Johnson is sacked for a loss of six by Jaron Willis. Johnson fumbles the ball but it's recovered by Layden Robinson at the TAMU 34.
The punt goes 31 yards, fair caught by Jalon Kilgore at the SC 35.
Anderson runs for one, then Rattler hits Anderson in the left, flat, but he's drilled by Egerrin Cooper and it's incomplete. On 3rd and 9, Rattler completes to Harbor for 10 and a first down.
Rattler passes deep to Anderson complete for 18 yards at the TAMU 36.
Juju McDowell is stuffed in the backfield by Diggs and Stewart for a loss of two, then McDowell loses one. On 3rd and 13, Rattler hits Harbor for 17 and a first down at the TAMU 22.
Anderson gets one up the middle, then Rattler passes complete to Dakereon Joyner for three. On 3rd and Goal Joyner runs for four to the TAMU 1.
TOUCHDOWN GAMECOCKS: On 4th and 1 from the TAMU 1, Joyner carries for one yard and a touchdown. The kick is good for a 7-0 lead over the Aggies. The scoring drive goes 65 yards in 13 plays and takes 6:41 off the clock.
The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Rueben Owens carries for eight, then Owens is stuffed by Tyreek Johnson and loses four. On 3rd and 6, Johnson connects with Ainias Smith for five to the TAMU 32.
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION AGGIES: On 4th and 1, Amari Daniels runs for two up the middle for a first down.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER
SECOND QUARTER: Aggies 21, Gamecocks 7
Johnson throws incomplete to Stewart, then Daniels runs up the middle for three. On 3rd and 7 from the TAMU 39, Johnson finds Stewart for two.
The Constantinou punt goes 37 yards to the SC 23 where it's fair caught.
Rattler is sacked by Bryce Anderson for a loss of 14 to the SC 8. Penalty, Intentional Grounding (Yards) to the SC 8. Rattler gains two, then on 3rd and 22 from the SC 10, Rattler hits Dakereon Joyner for four.
The Kai Kroeger punt goes 41 yards to the TAMU 45.
Owens runs for one, the Johnson hits Stewart for four at the 50. On 3rd and 5, Johnson connects with Stewart for 15 at the SC 35 and a first down. Penalty, Personal Foul (15 Yards) to the SC 20 for a 1ST down.
Owens runs for one, then Johnson passes complete to Wright for five.
TOUCHDOWN AGGIES: On 3rd and 4, Rueben Owens runs 14 yards up the middle untouched for a touchdown. The kick is good for a 7-7 tie with the Gamecocks with 9:00 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 55 yards in six plays and takes 3:03 off the clock.
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Harbor runs for one, then Rattler throws incomplete to Xavier Legette. on 3rd and 9, Rattler is sacked by Walter Nolen for a loss of 12 to the SC 14. Penalty, Intentional Grounding (Yards) to the SC 14.
The Kroeger punt goes 34 yards to the SC 48.
Johnson passes to Stewart for six, then Owens is caught in the backfield for a loss of one. On 3rd and 5, Smith catches the Johnson pass for a gain of 4.
Johnson passes to Stewart for six, then Owens is caught in the backfield for a loss of one. On 3rd and 5, Smith catches the Johnson pass for a gain of 4.
SC TIMEOUT (#1) at 6:01
FOURTH DOWN CONVERSION AGGIES: On 4th and 1, Johnson runs up the middle for a gain of one and a first down.
Daniels runs up the middle for two. Texas A&M Penalty, False Start (-5 Yards) to the SC 41. Johnson passes to brother Jake for eight. On 3rd and 5, Johnson completes to Ainias Smith for 26 to the SC 7.
Johnson runs up the middle for five, then Daniels runs for no gain. On 3rd and Goal from the SC 2, South Carolina Penalty, Defensive Offside (1 Yards) to the SC 1.
TOUCHDOWN AGGIES: Amari Daniels runs up the middle for two yards and a touchdown. The kick is good for a 14-7 lead over the Gamecocks with 1:44 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 48 yards in 10 plays and takes 6:19 off the clock.
The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Rattler passes complete to Trey Knox for 13 yards to the SC 38.
Rattler throws incomplete to Mario Anderson, then is sacked by Edgerrin Cooper for a loss of 12 to the SC 26. South Carolina Penalty, Intentional Grounding (Yards) to the SC 26. On 3rd and 22, Rattler is sacked by Fadil Diggs for a loss of five to the SC 21.
TAMU TIMEOUT (#1) at 1:12
The Kroeger punt goes 36 yards, fair caught by Ainias Smith at the TAMU 43. South Carolina Penalty, Kick Catching Interference (-15 Yards) to the SC 42.
TOUCHDOWN AGGIES: Max Johnson throws deep down the right sideline 42 yards complete to Ainias Smith for a touchdown. The kick is good for a 21-7 lead over the Gamecocks. The scoring drive goes 42 yards in one play and takes :13 off the clock.
The kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Rattler connects with Legette for a loss of one.
TAMU TIMEOUT (#2) at :45
Anderson runs for a gain of four.
TAMU TIMEOUT (#3) at :39
On 3rd and 7, Anderson runs for a loss of one.
END OF THE FIRST HALF
THIRD QUARTER: Aggies 24, Gamecocks 10
The Randy Bond kick goes 55 yards to the SC 10, returned 16 yards by Juju McDowell.
Rattler completes to Harbor for two, then Rattler passes to Doty for 11. On 3rd and 1, Anderson runs for five and a first down.
Anderson runs up the middle for one on first down, then runs for seven. On 3rd and 2, Rattler completes to Knox down the right sideline for 18 yards to the TAMU 34.
Anderson runs for three, then Rattler hits Harbor for no gain. On 3rd and 7 Rattler throws deep down the left sideline for Harbor but it's incomplete.
FIELD GOAL GAMECOCKS: Jeter hits from 49 for a 21-10 Aggies lead. The scoring drive goes 43 yards in 10 plays and takes 4:02 off the clock.
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Johnson passes incomplete to Stewart, then Owens runs for two. On 3rd and 8, Johnson throws to Ainias Smith incomplete. The punt goes 33 yards out of bounds at the SC 40.
Rattler passes incomplete to Trey Knox - Knox is injured on the play. Rattler hits Legette for two. On 3rd and 8, Rattler throws incomplete to Legette. The punt goes 42 yards to the TAMU 16.
Owens runs for three, then for three more. On 3rd and 4 from the TAMU 22, Johnson finds Noah Thomas for nine to the TAMU 31 for a first down.
Johnson hits brother Jake for 12 and another first down.
Owens rushes up the middle for four. PENALTY SOCAROLINA substitution infraction 5 yards to the TEXASAM48, NO PLAY.
Owens rushes for six and a first down.
Owens runs for two, Johnson hits Thomas again for seven. On 3rd and 1, Johnson passes complete to Wright for four and another first down at the SC 33.
Johnson hits Stewart for 12 to the SC 21 for another set of downs. South Carolina Penalty, Personal Foul (DQ Smith) to the SC 12 for a 1ST down. DQ Smith is ejected for targeting.
Owens runs for three, then Johnson throws incomplete to Max Wright in the end zone. On 3rd and 8 from the SC 9, Johnson throws incomplete to Thomas in the end zone. The ball was knocked out of his hands at the last second.
FIELD GOAL AGGIES: Bond is good from 26 for a 24-10 lead over the Gamecocks with 2:46 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive goes 75 yards in 13 plays and takes 6:26 off the clock.
The kickoff goes into the end zone. McDowell returns it 23 yards to the SC 23.
Anderson runs for 11.
Rattler throws complete to Harbor for 11.
Rattler misses Joyner, then Rattler runs for one. On 3rd and 9, Rattler completes to Joyner for 23 to the TAMU 31.
Andreson runs 29 yards to the TAMU 2.
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER: Aggies 27, Gamecocks 17
TOUCHDOWN GAMECOCKS: Rattler throws into the end zone for Joshua Simon for two yards and a 24-17 Aggies lead. The scoring drive goes 77 yards in seven plays and takes 2:50 off the clock.
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Johnson throws incomplete to Amari Daniels, then Johnson finds Jahdae Walker or 26 to the SC 49 and a first down.
Daniels runs for five, Daniels then rattles off 29 to the SC 15.
Owens runs for one, then Johnson scrambles for six. On 3rd and 3, Owens runs for two.
FIELD GOAL AGGIES: Bond is good from 24 for a 27-17 lead with 11:00 left in the game. The scoring drive goes 69 yards in eight plays and takes 3:56 off the clock.
The kick goes into the end zone, returned 26 yards by Joyner to the SC 26.
Anderson runs for two, then Rattler throws incomplete to Legette. on 3rd and 12, Rattler passes to Smith for 11.
FUMBLE - TURNOVER ON DOWNS: On 4th and 1 from the SC 35, Rattler fumbles the snap from the shotgun formation and falls on the ball for the recovery. It's a loss of two yards and a turnover on downs.
Amari Daniels runs for three, then again for three more. PENALTY TAMU holding 10 yards to the SC 40, NO PLAY.
Johnson throws incomplete to Evan Stewart. On 3rd and 17 from the SC 40, Owens catches the Johnson pass for five.
FIELD GOAL AGGIES: Bond is good from 52, tying his career-long, for a 30-17 lead over the Gamecocks with 7:39 left in the game. The scoring drive goes -2 yards in four plays and takes 2:04 off the clock.
The Bond kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Mario Anderson runs for five, then Rattler completes to Legette for 19 yards to the SC 49 for a first down.
Anderson runs for five more, then Anderson is stuffed behind the line of scrimmage for a loss of one. On 3rd and 5, Rattler passes incomplete for Tyshawn Russell.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS: On 4th and 5 from the TAMU 46, Rattler throws incomplete to O'Mega Blake. The Aggies take over on downs.
Rueben Owens carries for no gain, then Johnson scrambles for a loss of two.
SC TIMEOUT at 5:23
On 3rd and 12, Johnson hits Ainias Smith for 33 to the SC 23 and a first down.
Owens runs for a loss of one, then again for a loss of two. On 3rd and 13, Johnson finds Smith again, this time for eight to the SC 18.
MISSED FIELD GOAL AGGIES: On 4th and 5 from the SC 18, Bond is wide left. SC takes over, first down.
Rattler throws incomplete to Anderson, then again misses Anderson.
FUMBLE RECOVERY AGGIES: On 3rd and 10 from the SC 25, Rattler throws complete to Joyner for a loss of three. Edgerrin Cooper on the tackle and strips the ball free, recovered by McKinnley Jackson at the SC 22. First down, Aggies.
Daniels runs for two, then again for two more. On 3rd and 6 from the SC 18, Daniels runs up the middle for three.
TAMU TIMEOUT at :29
On 4th and 3, Daniels runs for five to clock the game.
END OF GAME
