Lead
At Kyle Field on Nov. 15, 2025, unranked South Carolina stunned No. 3 Texas A&M with a 30-3 lead at halftime before the Aggies mounted a furious second-half rally. Texas A&M committed four first-half turnovers, including three interceptions of Heisman hopeful quarterback Marcel Reed, while South Carolina turned two of those into late first-half points. The Gamecocks built their advantage behind big plays from LaNorris Sellers and Nyck Harbor and a stout defensive performance. By the end of the third quarter Texas A&M had trimmed the deficit to 30-24, setting up a decisive fourth quarter.
Key Takeaways
- Halftime score: South Carolina 30, No. 3 Texas A&M 3; the Gamecocks led by 27 points at the break on Nov. 15, 2025.
- Turnovers: Texas A&M had four first-half turnovers, including three interceptions thrown by Marcel Reed and a fumble returned for a touchdown.
- Marcel Reed: Completed 6 of 19 for 141 yards with three first-half interceptions; he then produced a 203-yard, three-touchdown surge in the third quarter alone.
- Explosive passing: South Carolina QB LaNorris Sellers connected on at least two touchdown passes of 50+ yards, including an 80-yard strike to Nyck Harbor.
- Rushing edge: Gamecocks totaled 108 rushing yards in the first half while Texas A&M was at -9 yards on the ground.
- Historic deficit: A 27-point halftime hole is the largest faced by a top-5 team at home in the last 10 seasons and teams were 3-593 when trailing by 27+ at halftime over that span.
- Momentum swing: Texas A&M erased most of the margin in the third quarter, cutting the score to 30-24 entering the fourth.
- Injury concern: WR Ashton Bethel-Roman injured his right ankle after a 76-yard catch-and-run late in the third quarter and left the field with trainers.
Background
Texas A&M entered Week 12 as the No. 3 team in the country with SEC championship hopes still alive, while South Carolina came in unranked and seeking a signature upset at Kyle Field. Beyond rankings, the matchup carried narrative weight: Marcel Reed has been discussed in Heisman circles, and an off night would have outsized postseason and award implications. Kyle Field’s crowd and atmosphere have historically amplified momentum swings, making home advantage a double-edged sword when turnovers occur.
Both programs have contrasting recent histories in Columbia–Aggie play. The build-up to this meeting included reminders that Texas A&M had trailed by large margins late in the prior season at South Carolina (notably a 44-20 loss on Nov. 2, 2024). For South Carolina, beating a top-5 opponent at Kyle Field would be a major résumé booster in recruiting and SEC positioning.
Main Event
The first half belonged to South Carolina. Aggies’ ball security problems and misreads by Reed allowed Gamecocks defenders to convert turnovers into points, including an interception with less than a minute left in the half that set up a 35-yard field goal as time expired. Vicari Swain was credited with at least two first-half interceptions, one of which was returned for favorable field position and another that directly led to late points.
South Carolina’s offense struck quickly on big plays. An 80-yard touchdown pass from LaNorris Sellers to Nyck Harbor came one play after Reed’s red-zone interception, swinging momentum and scoreboard separation in dramatic fashion. Sellers’ ability to hit vertical throws and free up Harbor on the perimeter produced two passing TDs of 50-plus yards in the half.
At halftime the Gamecocks were up 30-3 and had compiled 108 team rushing yards while holding Texas A&M to negative rushing yardage. The Aggies’ first-half stat line featured four turnovers and a stalled running game, forcing them into a halftime reset with severe implications for their SEC title chase.
The second half opened with renewed urgency from Texas A&M. Reed converted a fourth-and-12 early in the third quarter with a scramble that kept a drive alive, then threw a 27-yard touchdown to Izaiah Williams. The Aggies carried that momentum through the quarter: Reed completed multiple deep throws, finished the frame with 203 yards and three TDs, and the defense tightened—holding South Carolina to one crossing of midfield in the third.
Big plays continued to shape the game. Ashton Bethel-Roman’s 76-yard catch-and-run set up another A&M score late in the third, though he left the field favoring his right ankle. South Carolina’s punter Mason Love downed a boot at the one-yard line at the end of the third, a play noted as one of the Gamecocks’ best special-teams moments in the second half.
Analysis & Implications
Turnover margin decided the first half and nearly decided the game: four first-half Texas A&M miscues produced 10 late first-half points and an 80-yard touchdown swing that turned a competitive early game into a blowout. For championship-caliber teams, ball security in hostile environments is a core expectation; Texas A&M’s early mistakes exposed a vulnerability that South Carolina exploited ruthlessly.
Marcel Reed’s performance split across halves highlights both resilience and risk. His third-quarter outburst demonstrated elite playmaking ability—stretching defenses vertically and using his legs to convert on crucial downs—but the first-half interceptions will remain a narrative blemish for Heisman conversations and NFL scouting reports. The contrast raises questions about in-game adjustments by the A&M offensive staff and Reed’s decision-making under pressure.
For South Carolina, the outing reinforced an identity built on opportunistic defense and explosive passing. Converting turnovers into immediate points and executing two quick-strike passing TDs flipped game expectancy in the first half and showed how a well-timed vertical passing plan can neutralize a superior roster. The Gamecocks’ 108 rushing yards also undercut A&M’s defensive assumptions and provided balanced attack options.
Pragmatically, the likelihood of a full comeback remains an uphill task. Historical data (teams starting the second half down 27+ are overwhelmingly unlikely to win) favors South Carolina, but football is a momentum sport—Texas A&M’s third-quarter surge reduced the margin and forced South Carolina to defend differently in the fourth. The remaining minutes will test depth, play-calling adjustments, and special-teams situational execution for both sides.
Comparison & Data
| Metric | South Carolina (1H) | Texas A&M (1H) |
|---|---|---|
| Score (Halftime) | 30 | 3 |
| Turnovers (1H) | 0 | 4 |
| Rushing yards (team) | 108 | -9 |
| Long pass TDs | 80 yards | — |
| Third quarter swing | 6 points | 21+ points |
The table above highlights how South Carolina’s balanced ground game and explosive passing in the first half produced a commanding lead, while Texas A&M’s negative rushing and multiple turnovers created the deficit. The third-quarter adjustments notably cut into that advantage but did not erase the impact of early giveaways.
Reactions & Quotes
South Carolina’s defense disrupted A&M’s rhythm and turned mistakes into points, swinging the game before halftime.
CBS Sports (live updates)
Marcel Reed’s third-quarter performance changed the dynamics—both through the air and on the ground—bringing the Aggies back within striking distance.
CBS Sports (live updates)
The late-game field position battle, including a one-yard downed punt, will be a critical factor as the fourth quarter begins.
CBS Sports (live updates)
Unconfirmed
- Ashton Bethel-Roman’s injury status and whether he will return in the fourth quarter remains unconfirmed pending official team updates.
- Any internal disciplinary or schematic changes planned by Texas A&M staff at halftime have not been publicly detailed and are based on observed in-game adjustments, not official confirmation.
Bottom Line
South Carolina’s first-half execution—capitalizing on turnovers and hitting explosive pass plays—produced a 27-point halftime lead that placed Texas A&M on the brink of an upset at Kyle Field. The Gamecocks converted defensive disruption into scoreboard separation and leveraged vertical passing to keep the Aggies off balance.
Texas A&M’s third-quarter response, led by a resurgent Marcel Reed, erased most of the margin and set up a tense fourth quarter. The final outcome will hinge on turnover control, special-teams execution, injury updates (notably Bethel-Roman), and which coaching staff adapts more effectively in the game’s final phase.