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HALFTIME: Texas A&M Aggies Tied with USC After Puzzling 1st Half Finish From Trojans

The Texas A&M Aggies have already given up two takeaways, but have still matched the USC Trojans after two quarters of action with the Las Vegas Bowl still very much in the air.

Matt Guzman

Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko argues with an official about an overturned tageting call against the Texas Longhorns during the Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas.
Texas A&M head coach Mike Elko argues with an official about an overturned tageting call against the Texas Longhorns during the Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024 in College Station, Texas. / Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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Down a number of NFL prospects, transfers and injured players, the Texas A&M Aggies hit the field in Las Vegas for the SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl with a goal of earning some positive momentum heading into the offseason.

Luckily for them, they weren't the only team dealing with such issues, as the USC Trojans had the same hope, though through two quarters, it seems they're on course to get it.

Texas A&M is tied with USC, 7-7, at the half. Both offenses have found the end zone once — Marcel Reed found Noah Thomas for the Aggies and Jayden Maiava hit Ja'Kobi Lane for the Trojans — but between a pair of interceptions by Reed and a pair of late defensive penalties, the Aggies have only hurt themselves.

On third down, Texas A&M was poised to get the ball back with just under three minutes to play and a chance to take a lead, but instead, a pass interference call reset the downs for the Trojans. From there, the Aggies forced a punt, but ran into USC's punter to once again keep its offense on the field.

Michael Lantz couldn't connect from 39 yards to capitalize on the free possession for USC and the Aggies ran out the clock to end the first half. They're set to receive the ball to pick things up.

In the second half, a defensive struggle will likely continue to tell the story. USC has already notched two takeaways, but hasn't been able to capitalize, meanwhile, the Aggies haven't taken care of the ball on drives when they're able to take a lead.

Doesn't exactly tell the story of a riveting matchup, but 30 minutes remain. The Aggies just hope they won't have to subscribe to their performance "staying in Vegas."

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Matt Guzman
MATT GUZMAN

Matt Guzman is a sports journalist and storyteller from Austin, Texas. He serves as a credentialed reporter and site manager for San Antonio Spurs On SI and a staff writer for multiple collegiate sites in the same network. In the world of professional sports, he is a firm believer that athletes are people, too, and intends to tell stories of players and teams’ true, behind-the-scenes character that otherwise would not be seen through strong narrative writing, hooking ledes and passionate words.

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