No. 25 Texas A&M Survives Upset Bid From Bowling Green

© Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

No. 25 Texas A&M (3-1, 1-0 in the Southeastern Conference) became the second top 25 team to survive a road upset bid from Bowling Green (1-2) with a 26-20 victory on Sept. 21 at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas.

Bowling Green gave Texas A&M everything it could handle as its defense kept things close through a low-scoring first half, but the Aggies' defense came up with some big stops and the offense put up enough points late to hold off the Falcons.

Game Summary

Texas A&M marched down the field to take a 7-0 lead on the game's first possession behind 62 passing yards from freshman quarterback Marcel Reed, including a 17-yard touchdown pass to tight end Melin Ohrstrom. A&M had an opportunity to add to its lead before halftime, but the Falcons defense held in the red zone, forcing a field goal to salvage a 13-3 deficit at the break.

The stop proved vital as Bowling Green quarterback Connor Bazelak found tight end Harold Fannin Jr. for a 65-yard score on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter to make it a 13-10 game.

While A&M responded with a score, the teams battled back and forth for the rest of the game. Eventually, Texas A&M stretched the lead to two possessions and recovered an onside kick to survive and improve to 3-1.

Reed finished his second career start with 173 passing yards, 91 rushing yards and 2 touchdown passes, while running back Le'Veon Moss added 90 rushing yards.

© Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Bazelak led Bowling Green with 250 passing yards, a touchdown pass and an interception. Fannin Jr. had 145 receiving yards.

Turning Point for Texas A&M

Bowling Green blocked a punt late in the third quarter, giving its offense a chance to tie the game or take the lead at the Texas A&M 8-yard line, trailing by 3 points.

The A&M defense held the Falcons to a 28-yard field goal attempt that would have tied the game, but placekicker Jackson Kleather missed it wide right. The Aggies then drove for a field goal to make it a 6-point game early in the fourth quarter and added another after a Falcons' three-and-out.

As Bowling Green clung to its last gasps and drove deep into A&M territory, Bazelak overthrew Fannin Jr. in the red zone, resulting in a Texas A&M interception that seemed to end the battle. However, Moss fumbled the ball back to Bowling Green, which managed a field goal to make it a closer game but the Falcons could not recover the ensuing onside kick.

What it Means

No. 25 Texas A&M improves to 3-1 ahead of its annual Southwest Classic game against Arkansas. Reed has proven to be a difference-maker and is 2-0 as a starter. Conner Weigman remains the starting quarterback when healthy, but it's good to have a tangible backup plan in place.

The schedule gets more difficult for No.25 Texas A&M after the Arkansas game on Sept. 28 as it will take on two top-25 teams in the following three weeks, although both games are at home.

Bowling Green has proven it can be a Mid-American Conference contender this season, having lost to No.10 Penn State and the Aggies by a combined 13 points. No. 23 Northern Illinois (2-1) and Toledo (3-0) have also been impressive, and the Falcons will have to face both in the regular season.