In a stunning and historic collapse, South Carolina lost 31–30 to No. 3 Texas A&M after holding a 30–3 halftime lead. What looked like a rout turned into a nightmare for the Gamecocks, as the Aggies mounted the biggest comeback in school history. (NBC Sports) Here are five pivotal moments that defined South Carolina’s unraveling.
1. Reed’s 27-Yard Touchdown Throw on 4th-and-12
Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed sparked the comeback early in the second half with a gutsy play on 4th-and-12. Rather than playing it safe, Reed broke containment and scrambled for a crucial first down, keeping the drive alive. (FITSNews) Two plays later, he connected with Izaiah Williams for a 27-yard touchdown, cutting into South Carolina’s once-comfortable cushion and giving the Aggies momentum. (FLM)
2. Back-to-Back Big Passing Plays (39 and 14 Yards)
With energy swinging, Reed wasn’t done. On their next possession, he hit Ashton Bethel-Roman for a 39-yard score. (FITSNews) Immediately after, he followed up with a 14-yard touchdown to Nate Boerkircher, closing the gap even further. (FLM) These strikes came in rapid succession and showed Reed was dialed in — no longer the turnover-prone QB from the first half.
3. 98-Yard Drive — Finished with a Game-Winning Run
Later in the fourth quarter, Reed orchestrated a 10-play, 98-yard drive that would prove decisive. (FLM) The drive culminated in a short 4-yard touchdown run by E.J. Smith, putting the Aggies ahead 31–30 — their first lead of the game. (FLM)
4. Gamecock Four Straight Three-and-Outs + Turnover on Downs
While A&M was finding its rhythm, South Carolina’s offense stalled. According to game analysis, the Gamecocks twice punted in their first four second-half possessions and eventually turned the ball over on downs. (SportsTalkSC) Their inability to respond or sustain drives gave A&M repeated chances and breathing room. On their final drive, LaNorris Sellers was sacked back-to-back, and on 4th-and-16, his scramble attempt fell short, sealing the Gamecocks’ fate. (Daily Gamecock)
5. Defensive Penalties & Missed Stops
Defensively, South Carolina failed to make critical stops when it mattered most. One particularly costly moment came on the game-winning drive, when a pass interference call on Judge Collier gave A&M a fresh set of downs and helped sustain the rally. (FITSNews) Meanwhile, A&M’s offense kept converting third downs, and the Gamecock defense couldn’t clamp down — a pattern that had been missing in the first half but came back to haunt them in the second.
Putting It All Together
That 30–3 halftime advantage now looks like a mirage. Texas A&M erased it with three straight touchdown drives, a sustained long drive, and consistent pressure on both sides of the ball. Reed finished with 439 passing yards and three TDs to engineer an improbable comeback. (NBC Sports)
South Carolina’s collapse wasn’t just one bad play — it was a series of them. Their offense went cold, their defense broke down when it mattered, and the Aggies executed with poise and aggression. For the Gamecocks, what should have been a signature road win turned into a devastating blow to their momentum and any remaining postseason hopes. (wistv.com)
