News release from Texas A&M Athletics:
No. 10 Texas A&M downed Arizona State, 48-20, behind a pair of fourth quarter pick-sixes in front of 107,523 fans Saturday afternoon at Kyle Field to improve to 2-0 on the season.
Defensively, the Aggies forced four turnovers, including a pair of pick-sixes, while limiting the Sun Devils to 115 rushing yards. Senior safety Marcus Ratcliffe led the unit with seven tackles. Sophomore defensive end Marco Jones filled the stat sheet with four tackles, 1.0 sack, one forced fumble and an interception returned 55 yards for a touchdown. Fifth-year cornerback Julio Humphrey added a pick-six of his own in the fourth quarter, a 45-yard return.
The Aggies tallied 271 yards of total offense, with 163 yards through the air and 108 yards on the ground. Senior quarterback Marcel Reed completed 15 passes on 25 attempts for 163 yards and three touchdowns. Senior running back Rueben Owens II handled the bulk of the ground attack, totaling 35 yards on 10 carries with a score. Junior wide receiver Terry Bussey led the offense with four receptions and 58 yards, while fifth-year wide receiver Isaiah Horton added a pair of touchdowns.
How it Happened
Following a muffed punt recovered by the Aggies, Owens II punched in a 2-yard rushing score to give the Maroon & White a 7-0 advantage with 4:55 remaining in the first quarter.
The Sun Devils responded with a 21-yard receiving score from Reed Harris to even the ledger in the final seconds of the first quarter.
The Maroon & White regained the lead on a 13-play, 75-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown reception from Isaiah Horton. The drive cut 6:06 off the clock.
Carson Smith converted a 30-yard field goal attempt with 6:15 remaining in the second quarter to reduce the Sun Devils’ deficit to 14-10.
David Olano drilled a 22-yard field goal to put the Aggies ahead, 17-10, at halftime.
Arizona State tallied the first points of the second half on a 35-yard field goal by Smith.
The Aggies claimed a 24-13 advantage with 5:53 remaining in the third quarter on a 13-yard receiving score from Horton.
The Sun Devils quickly answered with a 58-yard receiving touchdown by Harris to make it a 24-20 game.
Mario Craver found the end zone on a 33-yard strike from Reed to put the Aggies in front, 31-20 in the first minute of the fourth quarter.
J. Searcy got close on the quarterback and tipped the pass attempt to Jones who returned the interception 55 yards to the end zone to give the Maroon & White a 38-20 advantage.
Olano nailed a 39-yard field goal to extend the Aggies’ lead to 21 points with just under six minutes to play.
Humprey notched the Maroon & White’s second pick-six of the final quarter with a 45-yard return, securing the final score at 48-20.
Up Next
Texas A&M opens SEC play at Kyle Field against Kentucky Saturday, Sep. 19 at 2:30 p.m. on ESPN or ESPN2. The Aggies boast a 2-1 record all-time against the Wildcats.