2018 LSU vs. Texas A&M football game

2018 LSU vs. Texas A&M football game
Conference game
LSU Tigers Texas A&M Aggies (9–2) (7–4) SEC SEC 72 74 Head coach:  Ed Orgeron Head coach:  Jimbo Fisher AP Coaches CFP 8 8 7 AP Coaches CFP RV RV 22
1 2 3 4 OT 2OT 3OT 4OT 5OT 6OT 7OT Total LSU 7 3 7 14 3 7 8 3 6 8 6 72 Texas A&M 7 10 7 7 3 7 8 3 6 8 8 74
Date	November 24, 2018
Season	2018
Stadium	Kyle Field
Location	College Station, Texas
Favorite	Texas A&M by 3 [1]
National anthem	Fightin' Texas Aggie Band
Referee	Matt Austin
Halftime show	Fightin' Texas Aggie Band
Attendance	101,501 [2]
United States TV coverage
Network	SEC Network
Announcers	Taylor Zarzour (play-by-play) Matt Stinchcomb (analyst) Kris Budden (sideline)

The 2018 LSU vs. Texas A&M football game was a regular-season college football game played between the LSU Tigers and the Texas A&M Aggies. The game was played on November 24, 2018, at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas, and was the final regular-season game for both teams. The game set multiple National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) records, including the most combined points scored (146) in a Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) football game. ^[3] The record was previously held by a game played between Western Michigan and Buffalo on October 7, 2017, which had 139 combined points over seven overtimes. ^[4] The 2018 LSU–Texas A&M game went likewise to seven overtimes and lasted nearly five hours, tying the NCAA record for longest football game with four others. ^{[5] [6]} The 146 combined points are currently the second most in college football history since the NCAA started keeping records in 1937, behind the 161 points scored in a 2008 NCAA Division II game between Abilene Christian and West Texas A&M of the Lone Star Conference. The game also holds the record for most points scored in a Southeastern Conference game. ^{[7] [8]}

After the game-winning touchdown, Texas A&M fans ran onto the field in violation of the SEC's competition area policy. As a result, Texas A&M was fined a total of $50,000 and warned by the SEC that subsequent actions by fans in future games will result in penalties over $100,000. ^[9] The game led to NCAA rule changes to overtime that were adopted the following season intended to reduce the number of plays occurring in extended overtime play.

Background and teams

See also: LSU–Texas A&M football rivalry

This game was the 57th meeting between LSU and Texas A&M. Prior to their 2018 meeting, the rivalry series stood at 33–20–3 in favor of LSU. Previously, the highest scoring meeting between the two teams was two years prior; LSU defeated Texas A&M 54–39, combining for 93 points. Texas A&M had lost seven straight against LSU, starting with the 2011 Cotton Bowl. The win would be Texas A&M's first win against LSU as a member of the SEC - their last win against the Tigers came on September 2, 1995, the last year for the Southwest Conference before Texas A&M and three other SWC members joined with the Big 8 to form the new Big 12.

LSU

Main article: 2018 LSU Tigers football team

Under the command of 3rd-year head coach Ed Orgeron, the LSU Tigers entered their final regular season game 9–2, 5–2 in SEC play. The Tigers were ranked No. 25 in the AP preseason poll, but were up to No. 5 for their fifth game after wins over No. 8 Miami and No. 7 Auburn. They fell to No. 22 Florida on the road to open October, but rebounded with a 20-point home win against No. 2 Georgia and a 16-point home win against No. 22 Mississippi State. This set up the most anticipated SEC game of the year - then No. 4 Tigers hosted No. 1 Alabama, falling 0–29. They picked up two more wins (at Arkansas and vs Rice), putting them at 9–2 going into their final game. ^[10] LSU was ranked No. 8 by both the AP Poll and Coaches Poll, and No. 7 by the College Football Playoff selection committee.

Texas A&M

Main article: 2018 Texas A&M Aggies football team

With first-year head coach Jimbo Fisher, the Aggies came into their last regular season game with a record of 7–4, 4–3 in SEC play. Two of their first four games were against ranked teams - they lost against No. 2 Clemson and No. 1 Alabama. They gained their first conference win the next week against Arkansas, and their second the week after with an upset over No. 13 Kentucky. They peaked in the rankings at No. 16, but lost two straight games to Mississippi State and Auburn and dropped out. They rebounded with wins over Ole Miss, making them bowl eligible, and UAB; this put them at 7–4 going into their last game of the season. ^[11] Texas A&M received votes in the AP Poll and Coaches Poll, but was ranked No. 22 by the College Football Playoff committee.

Game summary

Game information

Game Time	Weather
Kickoff: 6:39 p.m. CST End of Game: 11:32 p.m. CST Duration: 4 hours, 53 minutes	Temperature:65 °F (18 °C) Wind: S 6 mph Weather: Clear
Game officials
Matt Austin (referee), Rodney Lawary (umpire), Chad Green (linesman) Michael Taylor (line judge), Jimmy Russell (back judge), Blake Parks (field judge) Alex Moore (side judge), Paul Schardein (center judge)
Source: [2] [12]

Scoring summary

Scoring summary

Quarter Time Drive Team Scoring information Score Plays Yards TOP LSU A&M 1 6:40 10 95 4:28 A&M Trayveon Williams 10-yard touchdown run, Seth Small kick good 0 7 1 0:56 12 75 5:43 LSU Joe Burrow 22-yard touchdown run, Cole Tracy kick good 7 7 2 10:38 12 75 5:17 A&M Jace Sternberger 10-yard touchdown reception from Kellen Mond, Small kick good 7 14 2 1:52 8 53 3:38 A&M 33-yard field goal by Small 7 17 2 0:00 12 36 1:52 LSU 47-yard field goal by Tracy 10 17 3 7:42 15 90 6:15 LSU Justin Jefferson 7-yard touchdown reception from Burrow, Tracy kick good 17 17 3 3:33 8 29 3:43 A&M Williams 1-yard touchdown run, Small kick good 17 24 4 10:12 LSU Fumble recovery returned 58 yards for touchdown by Michael Divinity Jr., Tracy kick good 24 24 4 6:41 4 76 2:00 LSU Foster Moreau 14-yard touchdown reception from Burrow, Tracy kick good 31 24 4 0:00 12 78 1:29 A&M Quartney Davis 19-yard touchdown reception from Mond, Small kick good 31 31 OT 4 –7 LSU 50-yard field goal by Tracy 34 31 OT 8 19 A&M 23-yard field goal by Small 34 34 2OT 4 25 A&M Mond 3-yard touchdown run, Small kick good 34 41 2OT 6 25 LSU Nick Brossette 3-yard touchdown run, Tracy kick good 41 41 3OT 1 25 LSU Dee Anderson 25-yard touchdown reception from Burrow, 2-point pass good (Jefferson reception from Burrow) 49 41 3OT 2 25 A&M Kendrick Rogers 25-yard touchdown reception from Mond, 2-point pass good (Rogers reception from Mond) 49 49 4OT 7 21 A&M 21-yard field goal by Small 49 52 4OT 5 17 LSU 26-yard field goal by Tracy 52 52 5OT 3 25 LSU Tory Carter 11-yard touchdown reception from Clyde Edwards-Helaire, 2-point pass failed 58 52 5OT 5 25 A&M Rogers 6-yard touchdown reception from Mond, 2-point pass failed 58 58 6OT 1 25 A&M Sternberger 25-yard touchdown reception from Mond, 2-point pass good (Rogers reception from Mond) 58 66 6OT 4 25 LSU Burrow 4-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass good (Anderson reception from Burrow) 66 66 7OT 2 25 LSU Burrow 10-yard touchdown run, 2-point pass failed 72 66 7OT 4 25 A&M Davis 17-yard touchdown reception from Mond, 2-point pass good (Rogers reception from Mond) 72 74 "TOP" = time of possession. For other American football terms, see Glossary of American football. 72 74

Game statistics

Team statistics Stat LSU Texas A&M First Downs 31 33     Rushing 13 16     Passing 17 14     Penalty 1 3 Total Offense 496 521     Rushing 215 234     Passing 281 287 Rushing Att–TD (Avg.) 51–4 (4.2) 56–3 (4.2) Passing Comp/Att (TD–Int) 26/39 (4–0) 23/51 (6–0) Fumbles–Lost 1–1 2–1 Penalties–Yards 10–70 3–24 Punts–Yards 5–227 5–266     Avg per Punt 45.4 53.2 Time of Possession 28:30 31:30 3rd Down Conversions 10/20 11/22 4th Down Conversions 1/1 2/3 Field Goals–Attempts (Long) 3–4 (50) 3–3 (33)

Game leaders Team Category Player Statistics LSU Passing Joe Burrow 25/38, 270 yards, 3 TD Rushing Joe Burrow 29 carries, 100 yards, 3 TD Receiving Justin Jefferson 5 receptions, 63 yards, 1 TD Texas A&M Passing Kellen Mond 23/49, 287 yards, 6 TD Rushing Trayveon Williams 35 carries, 198 yards, 2 TD Receiving Quartney Davis 7 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TD

Aftermath

Post-game altercation

After the game, LSU analyst Steve Kragthorpe reported to media that an unknown student with sideline credentials had punched him in the pacemaker. ^[13] The student was later identified to be Texas A&M staffer Cole Fisher, the nephew of Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher. According to Kragthorpe, he was punched in response to telling Texas A&M's receiving coach, Dameyune Craig, to "move on" after Craig yelled profanities at LSU's coaching staff. In defense of Kragthrope, the LSU director of player development, Kevin Faulk, attacked Fisher and a fist-fight began. ^[14] According to a release by Texas A&M University Police, Kragthorpe retracted his statements regarding being struck and that he required medical attention, although LSU disputed that a retraction was made. ^[15] Video evidence later disputed Kragthrope's story and showed that he was not punched by Fisher. Instead, Kragthrope was seen yelling and confronting the Texas A&M receiving corps and was shoved away by Fisher. No reported injuries were sustained by Kragthrope, Faulk, or Fisher and no charges were issued. ^[16]

Rule changes

Due at least in part to this game, the NCAA adopted rule changes prior to the 2019 season that required teams to go for 2 if they get a touchdown in the second overtime (previously this wasn't required until the 3rd overtime), and required teams to rotate two point conversion tries starting in the fifth overtime. ^[17] Prior to the 2021 season, the rules were further changed, so now teams rotate two point conversion tries starting in the third overtime. ^[18]

Although the 2021 Illinois vs. Penn State football game involved 9 overtimes, this 2021 game involved significantly fewer plays than the 2018 LSU-Texas A&M game, because now the third overtime and later involves just one play from each team.

See also

• 2022 Houston vs. SMU football game, the record-holder for highest-scoring regulation FBS football game (non-overtime)
• 2001 Arkansas vs. Ole Miss football game, the first FBS football game to reach seven overtimes
• 2003 Arkansas vs. Kentucky football game, the second FBS football game to reach seven overtimes
• 2021 Illinois vs. Penn State football game, the first FBS football game to reach nine overtimes

References

1. "LSU vs. Texas A&M - Game Summary - November 24, 2018". espn.com. ESPN. November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
2. "Team Statistics (Final)" (PDF). 12thman.com. Texas A&M University Athletics. November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
3. Boren, Cindy (November 25, 2018). "It took seven overtimes for Texas A&M to beat LSU in the craziest college football game of the year Texas A@M was gifted multiple first downs and yardage due to questionable calls by referees, to the tune of 70 total yards in flags against LSU. This caused many LSU fans to see it as a game won thrice by LSU only to be snatched away again and again by the officials". The Washington Post. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
4. Myerberg, Paul (November 25, 2018). "LSU, Texas A&M play seven-overtime game for the ages as Aggies hold on for 74-72 victory". usatoday.com. USA TODAY. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
5. Zwerneman, Brent (November 24, 2018). "Texas A&M outlasts LSU 74-72 in seven overtimes". www.houstonchronicle.com. Houston Chronicle. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
6. West, Jenna (November 25, 2018). "Texas A&M Beats LSU 74–72 in Seven OTs, the Highest Scoring Game in FBS History". si.com. Sports Illustrated. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
7. "Aggies top LSU in 7 OTs in highest-scoring game in FBS history". espn.com. ESPN News Services. November 25, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
8. Freer, Michael (October 6, 2017). "100 years ago: Georgia Tech's 222-0 victory". www.espn.com. ESPN Stats & Information. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
9. "SEC fines Texas A&M $50,000 after Aggies fans stormed field". espn.com. ESPN News Services. November 26, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
10. "Roundtable: LSU's dreams of a 10-win season goes through Texas A&M". www.lsunow.com. The Daily Reveille. November 23, 2018. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
11. Underwood, Hannah (November 18, 2018). "A&M ends regular season with SEC matchup against No. 8 LSU". thebatt.com. The Battalion. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
12. Kercheval, Ben (November 25, 2018). "LSU vs. Texas A&M score: How the Aggies won epic highest-scoring game in FBS history after 7OT". CBS Sports. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
13. "LSU's Kragthorpe on being punched after A&M loss: 'Damn, he got me right in my pacemaker'". www.theadvocate.com. The Advocate. November 25, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
14. "Photos: Scene of scuffle between LSU's Kevin Faulk, Texas A&M's Cole Fisher after Tigers' loss". www.theadvocate.com. The Advocate. November 25, 2018. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
15. Zwerneman, Brent (November 27, 2018). "A&M-LSU Saturday scuffle turns into war of words". www.chron.com. The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
16. Zwerneman, Brent (November 26, 2018). "Video appears to dispute LSU coach's version of postgame melee at Texas A&M". www.chron.com. The Houston Chronicle. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
17. https://www.si.com/college/2019/07/16/college-football-overtime-rules-explained-changes
18. https://www.sportingnews.com/us/ncaa-football/news/college-football-overtime-rules-2021/1lf235z8s976v1wkvuvoyn9qff#:~:text=In%202021%2C%20the%20rules%20were,when%20the%20third%20overtime%20begins.