Texas A&M Aggies Fade Late, Lose to No. 11 Alabama Crimson Tide 26-20: Live Game Log
The Texas A&M Aggies matchup against rival Alabama in a contest between two 4-1 SEC West teams. The winner will most likely be in control of their own destiny with regard to the division title and appearance in the SEC Championship game.
The Crimson Tide hope to re-establish themselves as national title contenders again after falling to the Longhorns while still retooling the offense behind quarterback Jalen Milroe. The Aggies and coach Jimbo Fisher have had two dominating double-digit league wins, but this would be a benchmark win for the program.
Both teams enter at 2-0 in the conference. Alabama has league wins over Ole Miss and Mississippi State over the past two weeks, while the Aggies have enjoyed victories over Auburn and Arkansas in the last two contests.
Jake Johnson, Aggies TE
USA Today-Sports
Milroe - who made his first collegiate start against the home-state Aggies last year - has had an up-and-down season but has found footing lately. He's completed 20 of 33 passes in the victories over the Rebels and Bulldogs, for 389 yards and one touchdown to go along with one interception.
The Aggies' latest star is wideout Ainias Smith, who needs just 45 yards through the air to be the first player in SEC history to record 2,000 receiving yards and 250-plus rushing yards, punt return yards, and kick return yards. Smith's latest feat was an 82-yard punt return for a touchdown against the Razorbacks in a game where he reached a career-high 202 all-purpose yards.
With a loss, Fisher's coaching seat could become incredibly hot. A win, however, could mean the Aggies are right where they want to be in the race for the SEC West and a trip to the SEC Championship game.
Live game updates will appear here after kickoff...
The announced attendance is 108,101 at Kyle Field to see the Aggies take on the Crimson Tide.
Alabama won the toss and deferred possession to the second half.
FIRST QUARTER: Aggies 3, Crimson Tide 3
The Crimson Tide kickoff goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Amari Daniels carries for nine off left end, then Johson scrambles down the right sideline for four and a first down.
Daniels rushes for three to the AMU 41, then Johnson hits Muhammad for 31 yards to the ALA 28.
Johnson connects with Evan Stewart for six, then Johnson runs up the middle on a called QB run for three. On 3rd and 1 from the ALA 19, Moss carries for no gain.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS to CRIMSON TIDE: On 4th and 1 from the ALA 19, Johnson throws incomplete in the left flat. The play was blown up by the Tide defense. Alabama takes over.
Alabama is 35-1 on the road vs. unranked opponents since 2008 - best in the nation.
On 1st and 10, PENALTY on BAMA-J.Burton False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play.
On 1st and 15, McClellan rushes for one, then McLellan rushes for six. On 3rd and 8 from the ALA 21, Milroe is SACKED by Edgerrin Cooper for a loss of six!
The Burnip punt goes just 29 yards to the ALA 44, out of bounds. A horrible punt, great for the Aggies.
Johnson scrambles right for a gain of two, then connects deep down the left sideline with Evan Stewart for a gain of 32 to the ALA 6.
Johnson hits Jake Johnson for no gain to the left sideline, then Moss rushes for a gain of one to the ALA 5. On 3rd and Goal, Johnson throws incomplete to Ainias Smith in the end zone.
FIELD GOAL AGGIES: Randy Bond is good from 22 yards for a 3-0 Aggies lead over the Crimson Tide with 5:38 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive goes 39 yards in seven plays and takes 3:15 off the clock.
The Bond kickoff goes to the goal line, returned by Kendrick Law 30 yards to the ALA 30.
Williams runs for no gain, then Milroe finds Burton for 45 yards to the TAMU 25.
Williams runs for four, then passes incomplete and it should've been intentional grounding but it wasn't called. On 3rd and 6 from the TAMU 21, Milroe misses Burton on the left sideline.
FIELD GOAL CRIMSON TIDE: Reighard is good from 39 for a 3-3 tie with 3:13 left in the first quarter. The scoring drive does 49 yards in six plays and takes 1:56 off the clock.
The kickoff goes 51 yards, returned three yards by Ainias Smith to the TAMU 19,
Daniels runs for three, then Johnson misses Stewart to the right. On 3rd and 7, Johnson scrambles for five. The Constantinou punt goes 43 yards to the ALA 34.
Milroe throws deep down the right sideline incomplete to Burton, then McClellan loses two, stuffed behind the line out of bounds by the Aggies' defense. On 3rd and 12, Milroe hits Burton for 21 to the TAMU 47 and a first down.
PENALTY on BAMA-K.Proctor False Start 5 yards accepted. No Play.
Milroe runs for no gain to the ALA 47.
END OF THE FIRST QUARTER
SECOND QUARTER: Aggies 17, Crimson Tide 10
TOUCHDOWN CRIMSON TIDE: Milroe hits Bond for 52 yards and a touchdown as A&M blew the coverage and he was all alone. The extra point is good for a 10-3 Crimson Tide lead with 14:51 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 71 yards in five plays and takes 2:06 off the clock.
The kickoff goes to the end zone, returned 23 yards to the TAMU 21.
Johnson hits Ainias Smith down the right sideline for 34 yards to the ALA 45.
Moss runs for two on first down.
TAMU TIMEOUT (#1) at 13:32
Johnson is sacked for a loss of five. On 3rd and 13, he throws incomplete to Smith at the marker on the left sideline. The Constantinou punt goes 32 yards, out of bounds at the ALA 16.
Williams runs for no gain - stuffed at the line of scrimmage, then Milroe hits Burton for seven. On 3rd and 8, Milroe is SACKED by FADIL DIGGS! Burton is called for unsportsmanlike conduct for taunting and a 15-yard penalty. The Burnip punt goes 63 yards, returned by Smith to the ALA 22.
TOUCHDOWN AGGIES: Max Johnson connects with brother Jake Johnson for 22 yards to the left sideline and a touchdown. The extra point is good for a 10-10 tie with 9:57 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 22 yards in one play and takes :08 off the clock.
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Milrow throws incomplete to McClellan, then misses Niblack deep down the middle. On 3rd and 10 from the ALA 25, FALSE START ALABAMA.
On 3rd and 15, as the Kyle Field crowd goes NUTS, Milroe is sacked by Fadil Diggs again for a loss of seven. Alabama is working with a backup punter as Burnip is in the medical tent with a possible hamstring injury. The punt goes 40 yards to the TAMU 47.
Johnson throws incomplete to Muhammad III down the right sideline, then Moss runs for just two. On 3rd and 8, Johnson throws incomplete to Ainias Smith, but the Crimson Tide are called for pass interference at the ALA 42.
Owens runs for four, then Owens gets stuffed for a loss of four. On 3rd and 10 from the ALA 42, Johnson finds Muhammad III across the middle for 18 and a first down.
Moss runs for two, then again for nine and another first down at the ALA 31. That's the Aggies' best run of the day.
Johnson throws incomplete to Stewart, then Moss runs for four. On 3rd and 6 from the ALA 9, Johnson completes to Smith to the ALA 1 and a first down.
TOUCHDOWN AGGIES: Moss runs for a gain of one into the end zone for a touchdown. The kick is good for a 17-10 Aggies lead over the Crimson Tide with 3:23 left in the half. The scoring drive goes 53 yards in 11 plays and takes 5:38 off the clock.
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Milroe hits Burton for 12 yards and a first down at the ALA 37.
Milroe hits Burton again for 21 to the TAMU 42.
Milroe completes to Prentice for five, then misses Bond. On 3rd and 5 - FALSE START ALABAMA. On 3rd and 10, Milroe is SACKED by WALTER NOLEN for a loss of three. Reichert punts into the end zone for a touchback with :43 left in the half.
Moss carries for three.
END OF THE FIRST HALF
Aggies leaders:
Passing: M. Johnson - 8/14, 151 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: L. Moss - 9 carries, 24 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: M. Muhammad III - 2 receptions, 49 yards
Crimson Tide leaders:
Passing: J. Milroe - 8/14, 161 yards, 1 TD
Rushing: J. McClellan - 2 carries, 7 yards
Receiving: J. Burton - 5 receptions, 105 yards
TOTAL YARDS: Alabama - 148, Aggies - 203
PASSING YARDS: Alabama - 161, Aggies - 151
RUSHING YARDS: Alabama - (-13), Aggies - 52
THIRD DOWN: Alabama - 1/6, Aggies - 3/7
PENALTIES: Alabama - 7/39, Aggies - 1/5
TOP: Alabama - 12:23, Aggies - 17:37
THIRD QUARTER: Crimson Tide 24, Aggies 17
The kick goes 59 yards, returned by Law for 27 yards to the ALA 33.
Milroe hits Niblack for 12 to the ALA 45.
Milroe then hits Benson for five more to the 50, then finds Bond for six to the TAMU 44 and a first down.
Bond catches for seven, then Milroe hits him again for nine and another first down at the TAMU 28.
Milroe gets sacked by Edgerrin Cooper for a loss of nine - Milroe FUMBLES, recovered by ALA Kadyn Proctor at the TAMU 37.
ALA TIMEOUT (#1) at 11:14
INTERCEPTION AGGIES: Milroe attempts a pass to Niblack, INTERCEPTED by Bryce Anderson, recovered to the TAMU 45.
Daniels carries for two.
INTERCEPTION CRIMSON TIDE: M. Johnson passes to J. Johnson, INTERCEPTED by C. Downs at the TAMU 39.
McClellan runs for 15 to the TAMU 24 - Alabama's best run of the day.
McClellan gets another four, then Milroe finds Bonds for nine and a first down.
Bond catches for four, then Milroe is incomplete to Burton.
TOUCHDOWN CRIMSON TIDE: Milroe finds Burton for 15 yards and a touchdown. The kick is good for a 17-17 tie with 7:29 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive goes 39 yards in six plays and takes 2:57 off the clock after the interception.
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Johnson hits Smith for nine, then Moss gets two for a first down.
Moss runs for eight more on first down to the TAMU 44, then Moss gets two more for a first down.
PENALTY A&M False Start (Smith, Ainias) 5 yards from A&M 46 to A&M 41. NO PLAY.
Moss runs for five, the Johnson hits Stewart for eight. On 3rd and 2, Moss is stuffed for a gain of just one at the ALA 45. The Constantinou punt goes 45 yards for a touchback. - That's the FIRST touchback by an A&M punter all season long.
Milroe runs for 12.
Williams runs for two, then Milroe passes to Burton for 46 yards to the TAMU 20 and a first down.
Williams runs for just one, and then Milroe overthrows everyone in the end zone incomplete.
TOUCHDOWN CRIMSON TIDE: On 3rd and 9 from the TAMU 19, Milroe hits Burton in the end zone for a touchdown. The kick is good for a 24-17 Crimson Tide lead over the Aggies with :22 left in the third quarter. The scoring drive goes 80 yards in six plays and takes 2:37 off the clock.
The kick goes into the end zone for a touchback.
Johnson runs for seven to the TAMU 32.
END OF THE THIRD QUARTER
FOURTH QUARTER: Crimson Tide 26, Aggies 20
Moss runs for five and a first down.
Johnson scrambles for three, then passes incomplete with pressure in the pocket. On 3rd and 7, Johnson, under severe pressure, scrambles away from a sack, and hits Moss for 11 and a first down across the middle.
Owens runs up the middle for four, the Johnson passes to Owens running across the middle, broken up BY THE UMPIRE who didn't get out of the way. Owens was WIDE OPEN. On 3rd and 6, Johnson throws to Smith darting down the left sideline and he can't come away with it, incomplete. The Constantinou punt goes 31 yards to the ALA 14.
McClellan runs for four.
FUMBLE RECOVERY AGGIES: Milroe passes complete to Burton for 11 yards and fumbled, recovered by TA&M Bryce Anderson at the ALA 29.
Moss runs for two, then Johnson is sacked for a loss of seven. On 3rd and 15, Johnson hits Jake Johnson for 10.
FIELD GOAL BLOCK CRIMSON TIDE: Bond attempts from 41, blocked by Chris Braswell and returned for a touchdown. But a blindside block call on Alabama negates the score, first down Alabama.
Milroe passes to Bond for 17 to the TAMU 46.
Williams runs for two, then Milroe misses Bond across the middle. On 3rd and 13, FALSE START ALABAMA. On 3rd and 18, FALSE START ALABAMA. On 3rd and 23, McClellan runs for just one. The punt goes to the TAMU 16. First down Aggies with 6:41 left.
Johnson gets sacked for a loss of nine to the TAMU 7.
SAFETY CRIMSON TIDE: A holding call on the Aggies results in a safety on the Aggies.
The kick goes 71 yards, returned 23 yards to the ALA 32.
McClellan runs for three, then again for one. On 3rd and 6, Milroe is sacked by Demani Richardson and Edgerrin Cooper for a loss of 10.
The punt goes 38 yards to the TAMU 36.
Johnson throws incomplete to J. Johnson, but a defensive holding call give the Aggies a first down.
On the next play, Johnson throws incomplete, but a roughing the passer penalty for a hit to the head moves the ball to the TAMU 39.
Johnson connects with Smith down the left sideline for 39 yards to the ALA 2.
Johnson throws the ball away on first down, then Moss runs for two and a touchdown, but a holding call negates it. On 2nd and Goal from the 12, Johnson is sacked for a loss of three. On 3rd and Goal from the ALA 15, Johnson hits J. Johnson at the two for a gain of 13 for a 4th and Goal.
TAMU TIMEOUT (#2) at 2:14
FIELD GOAL AGGIES: Bond is good from 20 for a 26-20 Tide lead with 2:11 left in. the game. The scoring drive goes 62 yards in five plays and takes 1:26 off the clock.
The onside kick is unsuccessful and Alabama takes over from the TAMU 48.
McClellan runs for no gain.
TAMU TIMEOUT (#3) at 2:08
McClellan runs for three.
TWO-MINUTE WARNING
Milroe completes to McClellan for eight and a first down.
Milroe passes incomplete with 1:38 left.
FALSE START ALABAMA
McClellan runs for just one. On 3rd and 14, McClellan runs for six.
ALA TIMEOUT (#1) at :07
Milroe throws incomplete.
END OF GAME
