KeAndre Lambert-Smith‘s two-point conversion catch in the fourth overtime gave Auburn a 43–41 win over No. 15 Texas A&M at Jordan-Hare Stadium on Saturday night. Amari Daniels dropped what would have been the tying score to give the Tigers the victory.
Despite the defeat dropping the Aggies to 5–2 in the conference and 8–3 overall, Texas A&M can still get to the SEC title game and keep their College Football Playoff hopes alive with a win next week against Texas.
In the first overtime, Jahdae Walker‘s 12-yard touchdown catch gave the Aggies a 38–31 lead. Yet Auburn answered on its ensuing possession, helped by a pass interference penalty on Jayvon Thomas that put the Tigers on the 2-yard line. Jarquez Hunter scored a TD two plays later to send the game to a second OT.
The two teams traded field goals in the second overtime with Auburn’s Ian Vachon hitting a 41-yard kick and Texas A&M’s Randy Bond answering with a 42-yarder.
What looked like a potential blowout for the Tigers turned into an exciting shootout. The Aggies looked finished after falling behind 21–0 in the first quarter. But they fought their way back and tied the score at 21–21 midway through the third quarter with Noah Thomas turning a 10-yard slant route into a 73-yard touchdown.
However, Auburn regained the lead two possessions later, powered by a 44-yard leaping grab by Lambert-Smith. Jarquez Hunter covered the remaining 10 yards in three carries to put the Tigers back on top 28–21.
However, a Payton Thorne interception to begin the fourth quarter gave the Aggies the break they needed to finally get on top. Randy Bond hit a 32-yard field goal after the turnover to cut Auburn’s lead to four points. Texas A&M’s defense then forced two consecutive three-and-outs by the Tigers to put the offense in position to take the lead.
Daniels scored on an 8-yard touchdown run with 4:05 remaining in regulation and it appeared that Texas A&M had completed an amazing comeback to keep their conference title game hopes alive.
The Tigers drove toward the tying or go-ahead score on their final possession, driving 79 yards in two minutes. Two consecutive 11-yard runs by Hunter got Auburn to the 7-yard line, but two false start penalties and Damari Alston slipping and falling after a 4-yard gain forced the Tigers to settle for a field goal. Vachon’s 29-yard kick sent the game into overtime.
Thorne finished with 301 yards, two touchdowns and an interception on 19-of-31 passing. Hunter rushed for 130 yards and three scores on 28 carries. Cam Coleman led Auburn with seven receptions for 128 yards and two TDs, followed by Lambert-Smith’s two catches for 104 yards.
For Texas A&M, Marcel Reed threw for 297 yards, three TDs and a pick, completing 22-of-35 passes. He also rushed for 66 yards on 21 carries. Edwards had 90 yards and a score on 26 rushes. Thomas notched five catches for 124 yards and two TDs, while Walker added 69 yards and a TD on seven receptions.
