OXFORD, Miss. – Texas A&M's second-half comeback fell short in the final seconds as the Aggies dropped a nail-biter to No. 11 Ole Miss, 38-35, Saturday at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium.
A blocked 47-yard field goal in the final seconds proved to be the deciding factor as the tipped ball landed short of the uprights. Texas A&M (5-4, 3-3) tallied two fourth quarter scores courtesy of Amari Daniels lunging it in from 1-yard out with 12:04 left and Max Johnson diving over the line from 1-yard out to put the Aggies up 35-31 with 4:34 left. Ole Miss (8-1, 5-1) countered and scored the game-winning touchdown on a 1-yard rush with 1:40 left.
Johnson was 31-of-42 for 305 passing yards and one score, while Daniels led the ground attack rushing 12 times for 70 yards and a touchdown. Jahdae Walker led the receiving corps with eight catches for 100 yards. Bryce Anderson paced the Maroon & White with eight tackles, including five solo takedowns, while Demani Richardson and Edgerrin Cooper each tacked on seven tackles.
Trailing 14-0 midway through the second quarter, Ole' Sarge's charges came alive after Shemar Turner blocked a 41-yard field goal attempt that landed in the hands of Jacoby Mathews who returned it 75 yards to the house.
Ole Miss extended the lead to 20-7 on the ensuing drive before Le'Veon Moss answered back with a 13-yard rushing touchdown to bring the Aggies within one score heading into the half.
The Maroon & White threatened to take their first lead in the third quarter before Ole Miss capitalized with an interception in the end zone. Down 28-14, Max Johnson connected with Jake Johnson for a 28-yard touchdown reception to bring the Aggies within a score. Ole Miss extended its lead to 10, 31-21, heading into the final stanza.