Texas A&M rallies to beat Louisiana-Lafayette 45-21
COLLEGE STATION, TX - SEPTEMBER 16: Damion Ratley #4 of Texas A&M makes a catch as he gets behind Lorenzo Cryer #11 of Louisiana-Lafayette at Kyle Field on September 16, 2017 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Texas A&M needed a second-half comeback to defeat Louisiana-Lafayette 45-21 on Saturday at Kyle Field.
The Ragin' Cajuns (1-2) led 21-14 at halftime before the Aggies scored 31 consecutive points en route to the victory, one preserving embattled coach Kevin Sumlin's job for at least another week.
After much of the first half went wrong for A&M, the third quarter went entirely right, as the Aggies (2-1) scored 17 points in that span to grab the lead for good. Freshman quarterback Kellen Mond, in beginning to live up to his preseason hype as a five-star prospect, collected a five-yard touchdown run and threw a 12-yard touchdown pass to fellow freshman Camron Buckley in the decisive third quarter.
Sumlin is on the hot seat after the Aggies have lost six consecutive games to Power Five opponents, dating to last season and including A&M blowing a 34-point lead against UCLA in this year's season opener. The Aggies have responded with two consecutive victories, but also needed to break open a 14-14 tie against Nicholls State last week before prevailing 24-14.
THE TAKEAWAY
Texas A&M: Despite their comeback the Aggies appear far from ready for Southeastern Conference play, after trailing the Cajuns by a touchdown at halftime. Keep in mind this is a Louisiana team that gave up 66 points in a loss at Tulsa a week prior. It's been trial by fire for freshman quarterback Kellen Mond, but the experience of playing all four quarters on Saturday should help him greatly with the start of SEC play.
Louisiana-Lafayette: Despite blowing the second-half lead the Cajuns should be buoyed by their overall showing on the road against an SEC foe, even if the Aggies don't appear to be much of a power this season. Junior quarterback Jordan Davis is a warrior - he twisted his knee in the first half, limped for some time but kept playing. The Cajuns need him for Sun Belt play.
UP NEXT
TEXAS A&M: The Aggies open SEC play against Arkansas in AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sept. 23, and will try and make it six in a row against the Razorbacks. Arkansas still leads the overall series 41-29-3.
LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE: The Cajuns return home to open Sun Belt play against Louisiana-Monroe on Sept. 23, following consecutive road losses to Tulsa and A&M. Louisiana-Lafayette opened its season with a 51-48 home win over Southeastern Louisiana.
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