No. 13 Alabama closes on 14-0 run to beat Texas A&M 31-20
Keelon Russell threw for 311 yards and three touchdowns, and No. 13 Alabama blanked Texas A&M in the fourth quarter for a 31-20 SEC win at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
No. 13 Alabama scored the final 14 points of the game and beat Texas A&M 31-20 on Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, turning a halftime deficit into an SEC victory behind Keelon Russell's arm. Russell completed 19 of 30 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns with one interception, and the Crimson Tide outgained the Aggies 379-278.
Rico Scott was Russell's most productive target, catching six passes for 156 yards. Daniel Hill led Alabama on the ground with 36 yards on nine carries, part of a rushing effort that produced just 68 yards on 28 attempts. Fatutoa Henry recorded two sacks and Caleb Woodson finished with 10 tackles for a defense that forced three turnovers.
Texas A&M led 17-10 at halftime after a 10-point second quarter, and the Aggies pushed the margin to 20-17 with the only points of the third period. Alabama had opened with a 10-7 edge after the first quarter, then managed seven in the second. The fourth quarter belonged entirely to the Crimson Tide, who scored 14 unanswered to close it out.
Marcel Reed threw for 163 yards and a touchdown but was intercepted twice for the Aggies, who also lost a fumble. Mario Craver caught six passes for 45 yards and a score, while KJ Edwards led the rushing attack with 43 yards on eight carries. Texas A&M ran for 115 yards on 40 attempts, an average of 2.9 per carry, and converted four of 11 third downs. Landon Rink had the Aggies' lone sack, and Daymion Sanford made eight tackles.
Penalties were a factor in the stat sheet for both sides, with Texas A&M flagged eight times for 74 yards and Alabama seven times for 65. The Aggies turned the ball over three times to Alabama's one.
Alabama improves to 6-2 with the win. Texas A&M falls to 4-4.