By Fitzgerald Cecilio

College Station, TX

Running back Jeremy Hill tallied a career-high 127 yards on 18 carries and the defense forced five turnovers to help the No. 6 LSU Tigers overcome a 12-0 deficit to beat No. 18 Texas A&M, 24-19, Saturday at Kyle Field.

With their first win at Kyle Field since 1995, the Tigers improved to 7-1 (3-1 SEC) while the Aggies dropped to 5-2 (2-2 SEC).

Down 12-0 in the second quarter, the Tigers stepped up their defense, picking freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel three times and forcing two fumbles, while playmaker Zach Mettenberger led LSU to three scoring drives to spark the comeback.

Mettenberger completed 11 of 29 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown while Hill capped his career game with a 47-yard touchdown run in the fourth period that gave the Tigers a 24-12 lead with three minutes left in the game.

Hill now has back-to-back games of 100-plus rushing yards after racking up 124 last week against South Carolina.

The Aggies raced to a 12-0 lead in the second quarter behind a two-yard touchdown run by running back Christine Michael and two field goals by Taylor Bertolet from 50 and 32 yards.

Running back Michael Ford got things going for the Tigers with a 20-yard touchdown run and Mettenberger connected with a 29-yard scoring heave to wide receiver Kadron Boone as LSU stormed ahead, 14-12.

Drew Alleman opened the final period with a 28-yard field goal before Hill delivered a 47-yard touchdown run that drove the final nail in the Aggies' coffin.

Manziel completed 29 of 56 passes for 276 yards with no touchdown and received the brunt of the Tigers' defense with three sacks.

Ben Malena led the Aggies with 82 rushing yards on 12 carries and a touchdown, wide receiver Ryan Swope had a game-high 10 catches for 81 yards and Mike Evans had six grabs for 76 yards.

 

Defense Steps Up as LSU Downs Texas A&M