Amari Daniels #4 of the Texas A&M Aggies runs with the ball during the second half against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Kyle Field on October 28, 2023 in College Station, Texas. Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
Texas A&M overcame an early deficit to roll past the South Carolina Gamecocks for a 30-17 victory at Kyle Field on Saturday.
Ainias Smith led A&M (5-3, 3-2 SEC) with one receiving touchdown and a team-high 118 receiving yards on six catches. Max Johnson completed 20-of-30 passes for 249 yards and one aerial strike, while Amari Daniels led the ground effort with 68 yards on 13 carries and a rushing touchdown.
Team Notes:
- The Texas A&M defense held South Carolina to just 33 rushing yards in the game, marking the fourth time this season the Aggies have kept their opponent under 100 yards and the third time in SEC action.
- The Aggies limited the opposition to less than 225 yards of total offense for the fifth time this season, giving up just 209 yards, and have not allowed an opponent to tally over 100 yards rushing and receiving in the same game.
- WR Ainias Smith's 42-yard receiving touchdown was his first of the season and 18th of his career. He is now in sole possession of seventh all-time at A&M in career receiving touchdowns, breaking the tie with Mike Evans (2012-13).
- He finished the day with 118 receiving yards to record the sixth 100-yard game of his career and his second of the season.
- Smith also moved into A&M's all-time top 10 in all-purpose yards with 119 on the day to up his career total to 3,683, which is good for ninth in program history.
- Smith's first catch of the game extended his consecutive games with a reception streak to 35. This is the eighth-longest active streak in the nation.
- Sophomore WR Evan Stewart cracked A&M's career receptions list with six catches on the day to put him in a tie for 27th with Speedy Noil (2014-16) with 88 career receptions.
- Sophomore DB Bryce Anderson helped lead the defense with a season-high seven tackles, while registering the first sacks of his career as he finished with 2.0 for 26 yards lost.
- Junior LB Edgerrin Cooper helped lead the way with seven takedowns and a career-high four hurries.
- Cooper continued his dominance in SEC play behind the line of scrimmage, adding 2.0 tackles for loss and 1.0 sack, marking the fourth time he has had multiple TFLs and at least 1.0 sack through five SEC games.
- Junior PK Randy Bond sent a 52-yard field goal through the uprights in the fourth quarter to match his career long and the third 50-plus yard field goal he has made this season.