SportsDirect Inc. staff
Oct 20, 2012
No. 6 Louisiana State 24, No. 19 Texas A&M 19: Jeremy Hill's 47-yard touchdown run - set up by Tharold Simon's interception one play earlier - capped a stretch of 24 straight points as the Tigers secured a key road victory.
After leading the Aggies (5-2, 2-2 SEC) down the field on their first two possessions to take a 9-0 lead, Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel was held in check by LSU's defense the rest of the way. The freshman finished 29-of-56 for 276 yards with no touchdowns and three interceptions, and was limited to 27 rushing yards on 17 carries.
The Tigers (7-1, 3-1 SEC) used two turnovers late in the second quarter to turn the momentum after falling behind 12-0. Manziel's first interception set up Michael Ford's 20-yard touchdown run to make it 12-7 and, after a Ben Malena fumble, Kadron Boone made a diving catch for a 29-yard touchdown reception from Zach Mettenberger to give LSU a 14-12 lead with 11 seconds left in the half.
Texas A&M's best chance to regain control came in the fourth quarter, when Trey Williams' 76-yard kickoff return set up the Aggies at the LSU 16. But the Aggies gained just two yards, and Taylor Bertolet's 33-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.
Hill rushed for 127 yards on 18 carries, and Ford added 78 yards on 11 attempts for LSU. Texas A&M's Ryan Swope had 10 catches for 95 yards.
GAME NOTEBOOK: LSU improved to 31-2 under coach Les Miles when it has a 100-yard rusher. … The Tigers improved to 2-7-1 all-time in College Station, posting their first win at Kyle Field since 1987. … Texas A&M has squandered double-digit leads in both of its losses this season. The Aggies had a 10-point advantage in their season-opening loss against Florida.