USC Rides Comeback Against Aggies, Win Vegas Bowl 35-31: Texas A&M Aggies vs. USC Trojans Live Updates

The Aggies finish out their inaugural season under Mike Elko against Lincoln Riley's USC Trojans, who finished an even 6-6.

Nov 16, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies wide receiver Moose Muhammad III (7) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the second quarter with wide receiver Noah Thomas (3) against the New Mexico State Aggies at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images / Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

The Texas A&M Aggies will look to finish their first season under Mike Elko on a high note when they take on the USC Trojans in the 2024 SRS Distributions Las Vegas Bowl at Allegiant Stadium in Sin City.

The Aggies come off an 8-4 regular season that saw them start out 7-1 with high hopes for a College Football Playoff berth, but three straight conference losses quickly dwindled said hopes, but still gave the Aggies a successful enough season to compete in a bowl game.

The USC Trojans also started off their first season without quarterback Caleb Williams on a roll, winning three of their first four contests before a midseason slump saw Lincoln Riley take the ball out of quarterback Miller Moss' hands and into Jayden Maiava's.

Maiava would prove that Riley made the right move, leading the Trojans to two wins in his first two starts as they finished 6-6.

In a battle between two midseason quarterback changes, will the Aggies cash out and stay moving forward heading into 2025? Or will the Trojans hit the jackpot at Allegiant Stadium?

Make sure to check back at 9:30 p.m., where we will be right here with your live updates as the action unfolds in real-time from the 2024 SRS Distributions Las Vegas Bowl.

---

Join the Community:

You can follow us for future coverage by subscribing to our newsletter here. Also, be sure to like us on Facebook @AllAggiesOnSI & follow us on Twitter at @TAMUAggiesSI

MORE TEXAS A&M AGGIES NEWS:

5-Star 2026 OT Sets Texas A&M Aggies Visit

Would NIL Deals Have Kept Johnny Manziel At Texas A&M Longer?

A Year-By-Year Breakdown of Mike Evans' Football Career

Texas A&M Aggies' Myles Garrett Reaches Major Career Milestone

Texas A&M Aggies Transfer DL Commits to SEC Program

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Trojans win the coin toss and choose to receive the opening kick.

First Quarter

The Aggie defense waste no time making their presence felt in this bowl game, forcing their first three-and-out of the night.

change of possession

Marcel Reed and Rueben Owens head the Aggie run game, both picking up first downs with an illegal hands to the face call on USC also assisting the team. The Aggies are able to convert a 4th and 1 with a connection between Marcel Reed and Jahdae Walker deep in USC territory. Luckily, this all paid off in the end as Marcel Reed found Noah Thomas from seven yards out to put the Aggies on the board first.

TOUCHDOWN, Texas A&M.

Aggies 7, Trojans 0

change of possession

USC wide receiver Makai Lemon gets the ball rolling for the Trojans' second possession, taking the kick up to USC's 46-yard line. A couple of first downs move the Trojans forward, but a sack by Cashius Howell and a pass breakup by D.J. Hicks on third down force the Trojans to punt for the second time in a row.

change of possession

Marcel Reed hits Tre Watson and Noah Thomas to move the ball downfield for Texas A&M, but the progress comes to a halt after Reed is intercepted by Kamari Ramsey.

change of possession

Thankfully, the Trojans are unable to make anything of the turnover, and they go three-and-out yet again.

Second Quarter

Only needing seven yards, Marcel Reed dials up Jahdae Walker for a 40-yard gain to put the ball on USC's 37-yard line. Unfortunately, there is a repeat of the last drive, as a pass intended for Noah Thomas was tipped and picked off again, this time by Akili Arnold.

change of possession

This time, USC takes full advantage of the interception, and results in a 30-yard touchdown reception by Ja'Kobi Lane.

TOUCHDOWN, USC.

Aggies 7, Trojans 7

change of possession

The Aggies are only able to respond with their first three-and-out of the night.

change of possession

The Trojans rely heavily on A'Marion Peterson's legs, and it seems they should have stuck with it, as Jayden Maiava is intercepted by B.J. Mayes.

change of possession

An incompletion, a false start, and a sack on Marcel Reed force another Aggie three-and-out.

change of possession

The Aggies seem to force another three-and-out, but the Trojan drive continues after B.J. Mayes is tagged with a defensive pass interference call. The Aggie defense is still able to force a punt after containing the ground game.

Unfortunately, the Trojans get another break after Jahdae Walker is hit with a roughing the kicker call, giving USC another fresh set of downs.

The Trojans run down some clock and settle for a 39-yard field goal, which is no good as it sails wide left.

Third Quarter

After being pushed back by a false start, Marcel Reed dials up Terry Bussey for a first down, and immediately follows it with a 21-yard strike to tight end Tre Watson. E.J. Smith shows signs of his father, trucking through defenders for a 17-yard gain. After a 16-yard completion to Jabre Barber puts them at the USC 5, Marcel Reed finds Noah Thomas at the back corner of the end zone, who fights through heavy defensive pass interference to catch his second touchdown of the contest.

TOUCHDOWN, Texas A&M.

Aggies 14, Trojans 7

change of possession

The Aggie defense was also able to make a turnaround at halftime, forcing a Trojan three-and-out. The Aggies are tagged with running into the kicker, but still get the ball.

change of possession

Reed and the Aggies pick up where they left off, with a first down by Noah Thomas and a 36-yard connection between Reed and tight end Shane Calhoun.

Reed airs one out to Noah Thomas and it falls incomplete, but a defensive pass interference call on the Trojans move the Aggies straight into the red zone.

The drive stalls at the USC 9, and Randy Bond extends Texas A&M's lead with a 27-yard field goal.

FIELD GOAL, Texas A&M.

Aggies 17, Trojans 7

change of possession

After two deep incompletions, Maiava's pass is tipped and intercepted by Cashius Howell, Maiava's second interception tonight.

change of possession

With prime field position, Marcel Reed scores his third passing touchdown of the night, finding Jabre Barber from five yards out.

TOUCHDOWN, Texas A&M.

Aggies 24, Trojans 7

change of possession

A facemask call on B.J. Mayes and a pass interference call on Dezz Ricks put the Trojans in prime field position, and allow Jayden Maiava to find Ja'Kobi Lane for his second touchdown tonight.

TOUCHDOWN, USC.

Aggies 24, Trojans 14

change of possession

A three-and-out for the Aggies gives the ball right back to the Trojans.

Fourth Quarter

USC starts knocking on the door yet again, as running back Bryan Jackson punches it in from a yard out.

TOUCHDOWN, USC.

Aggies 24, Trojans 21

change of possession

Once again, a three-and-out by the Aggies.

change of possession

On the first play of the drive, Jayden Maiava throws interception number three on the night, hitting Aggie CB Dalton Brooks practically in stride.

change of possession

After an 11-yard run by Rueben Owens, the Aggie drive quickly stalls, and they look to Randy Bond for the field goal attempt, but it's wide right and no good.

change of possession

Jayden Maiava hooks up with Makai Lemon for a 33-yard pass and Bryan Jackson's legs carry the Trojans all the way to the red zone, where Maiava finds Ja'Kobi Lane in the end zone for the third time tonight to give the Trojans their first lead tonight.

TOUCHDOWN, USC.

Trojans 28, Aggies 24

change of possession

Crunch time now amongst him, Marcel Reed completes passes of 16, 12, and 13 yards and uses his legs to get near the USC end zone, and those legs also give the Aggies the lead back as Reed scampers for 19 yards into the end zone.

TOUCHDOWN, Texas A&M.

Aggies 31, Trojans 28

change of possession

Jayden Maiava starts to go to work, putting together a Tom Brady-esque drive with under two minutes left, completing a 13-yard pass, a 33-yard pass, and an 11-yard pass, and it all culminates in a 7-yard touchdown pass to tight end Kyle Ford with eight seconds remaining.

TOUCHDOWN, USC.

Trojans 35, Aggies 31

change of possession

Texas A&M's Hail Mary attempt goes unsuccessful, and the Aggies drop their fourth game in their last five.

FINAL: USC 35, Texas A&M 31.