Texas A&M faces a tough test Saturday as they face Missouri in COlumbia foir the second straight season. Follow the game on the First Deck HERE with analysis on this thread.

First quarter

The Aggies are showing different looks at the line of scrimmage and are getting pressure on Austin Simmons early, but it’s a guy who can’t get there, T.J. Searcy, who makes the first huge play, deflecting a pass that Daymion Sanford picks off at the 27 and returns to the 14.

And then Marcel Reed gives it right back, with a completely ill-advised pass to a slowly slanting Ashton Bethel-Roman who is covered completely and the pass is deflected and picked off. It was a single look and he never looked at anything else. That is a throw a veteran quarterback cannot make and there’s no excuse for it.

On Mizzou’s second drive, the Aggies dominate defensively and force a 3 and out. A&M shows, and brings, the blitz twice and it leads to a tackle for loss and a quick pass for no gain. Then Missouri shanks the punt and and A&M takes over at the Tigers’ 40.

A&M’s drive gets shorted out immediately with a hold on left guard Trovon Baugh, but the Aggies are able to get back into field goal range with an 11-yard “catch” by Ashton Bethel-Roman and a couple of runs. David Olano trots on and drills a 53-yarder.

Texas A&M 3, Missouri 0, 4:46 1st

Missouri goes 3 and out again after Caleb Goodie drops a first down pass on 3rd down with Dezz Ricks on him. The pressure isn’t necessarily getting Simmons down, but they’re collapsing the pocket pretty consistently.

And Ashton Bethel-Roman is returning punts.

The Aggies get down to 3rd and 1 after a run by Jamarion Morrow and a 5-yard completion to Kiotti Armstrong, then run a slow draw that Missouri stuffs. 3 and out.

Missouri gets a drive going on a couple of perfect passes from Simmons and some solid runs from Roberts, but the Aggies have Missouri in a 3rd and 5 just on the A&M side of the field as the quarter ends as Jordan Shaw blows up a quick pass for a loss of two.

End of the first quarter: Texas A&M 3, Missouri 0

Second quarter

A&M gets Missouri into a 3rd down situation and can’t get off the field either time, with Caden Lee getting a 6-yard completion on 3rd and 5, and then gets open over the middle for a 32-yard catch and run for a score. It looks like someone blew a coverage because Lee crossed the middle untouched.

Missouri 7, Texas A&M 3, 12:58 second

The Aggies go 3 and out after starting with a hold on Micah Riley, then a short pass to KJ Edwards and a bad throw by Reed to Reuben Owens out of the backfield. It wouldn’t have gotten the first, but still a really bad throw. This is frustrating as heck.

The Aggies force a 3 and out and Reed is immediately picked off on a throw that’s not his fault. He throws a ball a little high that ABR has his hands on and he muffs it, leading to a deflection and interception. Unacceptable effort.

But the Aggie defense comes through on a 3 and out. That’s great work. On 3rd and 8, the Aggies blitz heavily, hit Simmons and force an incompletion. But Blake Craig hits from 50. Still, props to the defense.

Score: Missoui 10, Texas A&M 3, 8:40 2nd

The Aggie defense keeps playing aggressive and making stops, but the offense is just terrible. Reed is missing passes, he’s dealing with drops and the offensive line can’t get a push. Reed is completely discombobulated, letting a three-man rush get to him. It’s just clueless.

Missouri gets into to field goal range with a long and slow drive before the half but a field goal attempt is blocked by Brandon Davis-Swain, who has had a great game.

Halftime: Missouri 10, Texas A&M 3

Third quarter

Missouri gets Caden Lee wide open on a deep cross for 25, then Jamal Roberts gets free for a 17-yard run when Marcus Ratcliffe misses him in the hole. But then the defense stands up, with Noah Mikhail getting a tacle for loss and Simmons throwing two incompletions under pressure. But Missouri gets a 51-yard field goal to extend their lead.

Score: Missouri 13, A&M 3, 12:30 3rd

The Aggies get a first down, and it’s called back on a hold on Trovon Baugh, his second of the day. That kills the drive and they’re 3 and out.

Another huge punt by Tyler White puts Missouri back a ways, then the Aggies get a 3 and out after Noah Mikahil and Jordan Shaw combine to tackle Roberts for a loss of 5 on 2nd and 7. The defense is playing as well as you can ask for against an explosive offense — they just need some help.