No. 25 Texas A&M fends off Bowling Green 26-20

Field Level Media|published: Sat 21st September, 23:22 2024

NCAA Football: Bowling Green at Texas A&M

Sep 21, 2024; College Station, Texas, USA; Texas A&M Aggies quarterback Marcel Reed (10) looks to pass the ball during the first quarter against the Bowling Green Falcons at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images.

Marcel Reed threw two touchdown passes and Randy Bond kicked four field goals as No. 25 Texas A&M held on for a 26-20 victory over pesky Bowling Green on Saturday night in College Station.

Making his second straight start in place of Connor Weigman, who is dealing with a right AC sprain, Reed was even more effective than he was in last week's win at Florida.

Reed completed 16 of 29 passes for 173 yards and effectively moved the offense as Texas A&M (3-1) converted 21 first downs and never trailed.

Reed threw a 27-yard TD to Theo Melin Ohrstrom about five minutes into the game and connected with Jahdae Walker on a 5-yard score with 10:43 left in the third.

Reed also gained a career-high 91 yards on the ground as the Aggies totaled 235 rushing yards after averaging 263 through their first three games.

After missing two field goals in four tries last week, Bond converted from 28 and 29 yards in the second quarter. He also kicked field goals of 34 and 42 yards in the fourth quarter after Texas A&M allowed Bowling Green (1-2) to get within 20-17.

Bowling Green's Connor Bazelak completed 20 of 36 passes for 250 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Harold Fannin Jr. finished with eight receptions for 145 yards and a touchdown for the Falcons, who gave Penn State trouble two weeks ago.

The Aggies took a 13-3 lead by halftime, but Fannin's 65-yard reception on Bowling Green's first play of the second half made it a three-point game. Walker's TD made it 20-10, and the Aggies came up with a big defensive stand in the third after Rahkeem Smith's 40-yard TD run got Bowling Green within 20-17 with 5:24 left.

With 2:56 left, Bowling Green's Trey Johnson recovered a blocked punt, but Jackson Klather's 28-yard field goal try sailed wide right.

The Aggies appeared to clinch the win when Marcus Ratcliffe intercepted Bazelak with 1:41 remaining. Five seconds later Moss fumbled and Kleather hit a 23-yard field goal with 38 seconds left but the Aggies recovered an onside kick to seal the win.

--Field Level Media

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