KeAndre Lambert-Smith’s two-point conversion catch in the fourth overtime gave Auburn a 43-41 win over No. 15 Texas A&M on Saturday night at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Amari Daniels dropped what would have been the tying goal to give the Tigers the win.
Despite the loss that dropped the Aggies to 5-2 in the conference and 8-3 overall, Texas A&M can still reach 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. Still, Auburn answered on the ensuing possession, aided by a pass interference penalty on Jayvon Thomas, putting the Tigers at the 2-yard line. Jarquez Hunter scored a TD two plays later, sending 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-yard kick.
What looked like a potential blowout for the Tigers turned into a tense shootout. The Aggies looked set after trailing 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 jump from 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 early in the fourth quarter gave the Aggies the break they needed to finally come out 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 straight three-and-outs from 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 looked like Texas A&M had pulled off a tremendous comeback to keep its conference title game hopes alive.
The Tigers drove toward the tying goal or go-ahead goal on their final possession, driving 79 yards in two minutes. Two consecutive 11-yard runs by Hunter brought 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 touchdowns, followed by Lambert-Smith’s two catches for 104 yards.
For Texas A&M, Marcel Reed threw for 297 yards, three touchdowns 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 had five catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns, while Walker added 69 yards and a touchdown on seven receptions.
