Live Updates: LSU Football vs. Texas A&M Aggies in Top-25 SEC Showdown

No. 20 LSU (5-2, 2-2 SEC) will return to Tiger Stadium on Saturday night for a Top-25 matchup against an unbeaten Texas A&M Aggies squad in Death Valley.

After dropping a Week 8 SEC matchup against Vanderbilt, Brian Kelly and Co. will look to bounce back against No. 3 Texas A&M in a pivotal matchup for the Bayou Bengals.

"We have a great opportunity this weekend in Tiger Stadium to play the No. 3 team in the country. That's exciting, and we believe that the way we're moving, if we continue to get better on both sides of the ball, we're prepared to win the game. We believe we can win the game," Brian Kelly said this week.

"I hope our fanbase understands that we're disappointed. We are committed to working to get better every single day, and we're excited about a great matchup this weekend in Tiger Stadium. Certainly, A&M, outstanding football team."

Here's what Brian Kelly said of the matchup, pregame updates and a live thread from Saturday night at Tiger Stadium.

What Brian Kelly Said: Week 9 Edition

“When you look at them defensively, they have some outstanding players,” Kelly said. “York is outstanding. He’s all over the field. Howell leads the SEC in sacks and he’s somebody where you have to know where he is all the time.

"Reed is doing an incredible job at the quarterback position. One of the best offensive lines we’re going to see this year.”

Pregame Updates:

- LSU linebacker Whit Weeks is officially out for Saturday night against Texas A&M with an ankle injury. The veteran defensive weapon missed Week 8 at Vanderbilt and remains out.

- LSU offensive lineman Carius Curne will start at left tackle on Saturday where he will replace an injured Tyree Adams. Adams underwent surgery on an ankle injury sufferd in Week 8.

- LSU running back Harlem Berry will earn the start against Texas A&M, a source tells LSU Tigers On SI. ESPN 104.5 first. The five-star true freshman is coming off of a career day against Vanderbilt last weekend.

- LSU vs. Texas A&M will kickoff at 6:49 p.m. CT from Tiger Stadium with significant College Football Playoff implications on the line. The game will be televised on ABC.

Live Updates:

[Make sure to refresh your browser for the latest information. Scroll down for the most recent updates each quarter.]

First Quarter:

- The Texas A&M Aggies have won the opening coin toss and deferred to the second half. LSU will receive the ball to begin the Top-25 SEC matchup.

- LSU running back Harlem Berry earns his first career start and immediately makes the most of his opportunity with a 16-yard run on his first attempt of the night. Two plays later, Garrett Nussmeier is sacked for a nine-yard loss. Tigers call a timeout to mull things over before a 3rd-and-19 attempt.

- The LSU offense punts it away after a quick five-play drive with the Aggies taking over with efficient field position. Marcel Reed and Co. roll out for Texas A&M's first possession on the night.

- Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed drops back in the pocket and utilizes a wide open lane on the right side of the field on a 41-yard rushing touchdown to cap off a 6-play, 68-yard scoring drive. Aggies strike first.

Score Update: Texas A&M 7, LSU 0

- Garrett Nussmeier and the Tigers respond with a touchdown of their own after marching down field on an 8-play, 74-yard scoring drive. Nussmeier connects with tight end Trey'Dez Green in the back left corner of the end-zone for the touchdown despite the Aggies' double-team. Nussmeier went 6-for-6 with 48 yards through the air.

Score Update: LSU 7, Texas A&M 7

- Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed continues torching the Tigers' defense after tossing three completions for 44 yards with the final pass resulting in a touchdown to KJ Concepcion. Aggies cruise down the field on a 10-play, 75-yard scoring drive to retake the lead in Baton Rouge.

End of 1Q: Texas A&M 14, LSU 7

Second Quarter:

- Texas A&M's defense quickly forces and LSU Tigers punt after a five-play possession that took 40 seconds off the game clock. Aggies take over on their own 16-yard line after the punt.

- Now it's LSU defense that rises to the occasion and gets a much-needed stop to force an Aggies punt. On fourth down, it's true freshman defensive back Jhase Thomas that blocks the punt that rolls out of the end-zone for a safety. LSU will receive the punt on the ensuing drive. Huge momentum swing in Baton Rouge.

Score Update: Texas A&M 14, LSU 9

- LSU's offense is unable to respond on the ensuing drive following the safety with Garrett Nussmeier and Co. going three-and-out. Tigers punt it away. Aggies take over on their own 25-yard line. 10:34 remaining in the half.

- Marcel Reed and the Aggies march inside the 5-yard line on a 7-play, 72-yard drive with Texas A&M within striking distance, but an interception by LSU safety AJ Haulcy quickly flips the script with the Tigers taking over on their own 25-yard line.

- Garrett Nussmeier and Co. respond on the following drive with a touchdown of their own behind an 8-play, 75-yard scoring drive with five-star true freshman Harlem Berry punching in the score. The Louisiana native earned his first career start on Saturday and hasn't looked back. Tigers miss the extra point.

Score Update: LSU 15, Texas A&M 14

- Here come the Tigers... LSU linebacker Harold Perkins hauls in the interception on the ensuing drive and Death Valley is rocking. Mansoor Delane tips the pass and Perkins gets the pick. LSU takes over on the 50-yard line with under two minutes in the half.

- LSU knocks in a field goal before the half to extend the lead to four points before halftime. Ramos drills a 30-yard field goal to cap off the short drive.

HALFTIME: LSU 18, Texas A&M 14

Third Quarter:

- Texas A&M will receive the second half kickoff after deferring in the first half. LSU's Aeron Burrell will boot it away with 30 minutes remaining in Baton Rouge.

- The Aggies dial up a 9-play, 56-yard scoring drive to open the second half following a 43-yard kickoff to return to open the second half. Marcel Reed scans the field, doesn't see anything and runs in a five-yard touchdown run to cap off the drive.

Score Update: Texas A&M 21, LSU 18

- Garrett Nussmeier and the LSU offense goes three-and-out to open the Tigers' first drive of the second half. Grant Chadwick punts it away to the Aggies and KC Concepcion returns it 79 yards to the end-zone for a touchdown. Texas A&M makes it a two-score game.

Score Update: Texas A&M 28, LSU 18

- Nussmeier goes 3-for-5 with 18 yards through the air on the drive, but the possession stalls after six plays and LSU punter Grant Chadwick trots out on the field to boot it away. Texas A&M takes over on the 50-yard line.

- Texas A&M has broken this one open with 21 unanswered points in the third quarter after Marcel Reed connects with Jamarion Morrow for a 24-yard touchdown. 4-play, 50 yard scoring drive.

End of 3Q: Texas A&M 35, LSU 18

Fourth Quarter:

- Texas A&M has a foot on the gas and isn't letting up in this one with Marcel Reed and Co. getting in the end-zone to open the final frame. Nate Boerkircher takes the rushing attempt to the end-zone to cap off a 6-play, 33-yard scoring drive.

Score Update: Texas A&M 42, LSU 18

More LSU News:

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Three Observations From LSU Football's Week 8 Loss to the Vanderbilt Commodores

Updated AP Top-25 Poll: LSU Football Falls, Oklahoma Sooners Cruise in Rankings

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Follow Zack Nagy on Twitter: @znagy20 and LSU Tigers On SI: @LSUTigersSI for all coverage surrounding the LSU Tigers.