COLLEGE STATION, TX — The No. 24-ranked Auburn Tigers shocked Johnny Manziel and the No. 7 Texas A&M Aggies in an SEC West shootout where defense was optional until the last drive.
Johnny Manziel lived up to his Heisman form last year and threw for 3 touchdowns all to receiver Mike Evans in the first half including a 42-yard bomb to end the half. Nick Marshal ran for a touchdown and threw an inch perfect pass on the run for a touchdown.
A 43-yard double screen pass from Marshal to receiver Sammie Coats tied the score up at 24, seven minutes into the second half. To finish off an 82 yard, 9 play drive Manziel hooked up with Evans again to retake the lead.
Manziel went down injured in the fourth quarter when LaDarius Owens crushed his shoulder into the ground on a hard tackle near the end zone. The drive stalled as Manziel was taken to the locker room. The Aggies had to settle for a 20 yard field goal.
With Manziel out the Tigers looked to capitalize. A 75-yard drive was capped off by a Marshal 13 yard touchdown run, his second of the day. The Tigers then forced an A&M 3 and out. The Tigers then covered 69 yards in just 5 plays. Tre Mason highlighted the drive with a forceful 53 yard run. The Tigers quickly took a 38-34 lead, forcing Manziel to play through the pain and play.
Johnny Football then led the Aggies on a 75-yard drive to retake the lead, completing 7 passes along the way. Manziel ended the drive by out racing Auburn’s defense to the end zone on a read option, to give the Aggies a field goal lead with just 5 minutes to go.
On their last possession, Coach Gus Malzahn relied heavily on Mason and the running game. Mason was unstoppable on the last drive constantly pushing the pile for extra yardage. On 3rd and 9 on the A&M 39, Marshal threw a beautiful pass to freshman receiver Marcus Davis, to convert the third down.
Mason ran over a couple of defenders then stretched the ball over the goal line to give Auburn a 45-41 lead with 1:19 remaining.
The Aggies got the ball at the 35 yard line after an excellent kick return. Manziel quickly lead the Aggies into Auburn territory with a 19 yard completion to Evans. After a quick 6 yard scamper and completion to Evans the Aggies had the ball at the Auburn 18 with 42 seconds remaining.
Auburn’s defense then continued their form of playing great in the forth quarter by forcing an incompletion then sacking Manziel for an 8 yard loss. Facing a 4 down with just 18 seconds left, Dee Ford came up with his second sack effectively ending the game and Manziel’s hope to repeat as a Heisman winner.
This loss leaves A&M fans wondering how many points their team must score to win a game. With a defense this bad, even Manziel can’t manufacture enough points to win.
Malzahn got his first signature win at Auburn and this win means that Auburn is back from their dismal 3-9 season last year. With this win, Auburn now has a chance of winning the SEC West.
It seems like the turnaround is almost complete for the Tigers.
#WarEagle
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