No. 3 Texas A&M rallied from a 27-point halftime deficit to stun South Carolina 31-30, completing the largest comeback in school history and preserving their undefeated season.
The game unfolded on Saturday, November 15, 2025, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, where Texas A&M, ranked third in the College Football Playoff rankings, faced a seemingly insurmountable 30-3 deficit at halftime. South Carolina dominated the first half, capitalizing on Aggies’ mistakes, including two interceptions from quarterback Marcel Reed and missed field goals, while the offense struggled with minus-9 yards rushing and dropped passes from key receivers.
In the first half, nothing went right for Texas A&M, as Reed completed only 6 of 19 passes and the defense allowed 312 yards, leading to a 97.8% win probability for South Carolina at one point. The Aggies’ hopes of an undefeated season and playoff contention appeared to be slipping away, with the Gamecocks building a commanding lead through efficient scoring drives and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
At halftime, the team regrouped in the locker room, with Reed taking responsibility for his performance and leaders like linebackers Taurean York and Dalton Brooks fostering positivity. Coach Mike Elko emphasized a six-minute offense strategy, focusing on quick scores and defensive stops, while York predicted the Aggies would get six possessions and need to shut out South Carolina in the second half.
The turnaround began immediately in the third quarter, as Reed scrambled for a critical 16-yard gain on fourth-and-12, setting up a 27-yard touchdown pass to freshman Izaiah Williams. This play ignited the crowd of 108,582—the fifth-largest in Kyle Field history—and sparked a 28-point unanswered run, with Reed finishing 22-of-39 for 439 yards and three touchdowns, showcasing remarkable resilience after his early struggles.
Texas A&M’s defense clamped down in the second half, holding South Carolina to just 76 yards and no points, while the offense scored on its first four possessions. The Aggies took their first lead on a 4-yard run by EJ Smith with about 11 minutes left, though a late fumble by Reed added tension before the defense secured the win by stopping South Carolina’s final drive.
Coach Elko praised the team’s mental toughness, calling it “championship-level football” and noting the lesson in humility after the slow start. Reed highlighted the importance of avoiding a loss that could have damaged playoff hopes, while players reflected on avenging last year’s 44-20 defeat to South Carolina, which had begun a slide in their season.
The victory set multiple records, including the largest comeback in Texas A&M history, the biggest in the FBS this season, and the largest in the SEC since 2004, breaking a streak of 286 losses for SEC teams trailing by 27 or more points. It also marked the Aggies’ first 10-0 start since 2012, bolstering their position in the College Football Playoff race.
Looking ahead, Texas A&M faces Samford at home and a rivalry game against Texas in Austin, with this historic win providing confidence and momentum for the postseason. The comeback not only underscores the team’s ability to overcome adversity but also reinforces their status as a national contender, with implications for seeding in upcoming playoff discussions.
