AUSTIN, Texas — In a highly anticipated rivalry clash under the lights at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium, Texas A&M quarterback Marcel Reed gave fans a scare late in the first quarter of Friday night's game against Texas. The No. 3-ranked Aggies, riding an undefeated season, saw their star signal-caller helped off the field after an awkward slip during a scramble, but Reed's quick return injected new life into the matchup against the No. 16 Longhorns.
The incident unfolded with 2:59 remaining in the opening quarter, as Reed, who has surged as a late-season Heisman Trophy contender, attempted to evade defenders on a designed run. According to eyewitness accounts and television replays broadcast nationwide, Reed went down untouched, his left ankle appearing to twist sharply as he planted his foot to make a cut. Trainers and medical staff rushed to his side, and he was assisted to the locker room, leaving the Aggies' sideline in visible tension.
With Reed sidelined, backup quarterback Miles O’Neill stepped in to lead the Aggies' offense. O’Neill, a less experienced option, guided the team on a drive that culminated in a field goal attempt. However, the kick was blocked by the Texas defense, preserving the Longhorns' slim margin and keeping the score at 0-0 at the end of the first quarter. Texas A&M coach Mike Elko later commented on the moment, saying, “We held our breath there for a second, but Marcel’s toughness is something we’ve seen all year.”
Early in the second quarter, Texas capitalized on their defensive stand, driving downfield for a field goal that put them ahead 3-0. It was at this juncture that Reed re-emerged from the tunnel, helmet in hand, to a roar from the Aggie faithful who had made the trip from College Station. According to reports from the sideline, Reed tested his ankle during warm-ups and declared himself ready to go, leading the Aggies on a scoring drive that tied the game at 3-3.
Reed’s resilience comes at a critical time for Texas A&M, which entered the game with a perfect 10-0 record and eyes on not just an SEC title but a berth in the College Football Playoff. The Aggies, under Elko’s second-year guidance, have transformed from a middling program into a powerhouse, thanks in large part to Reed’s dual-threat abilities. The sophomore has thrown for over 2,500 yards this season while rushing for nearly 1,000, earning him mentions alongside other Heisman hopefuls like Ohio State’s Quinn Ewers—ironically, Texas’s own quarterback in this matchup.
The Texas-Texas A&M rivalry, dormant for over a decade until its revival in 2024, carries immense weight in the Lone Star State. Known as the Lone Star Showdown, the series dates back to 1915, with Texas holding a historical edge of 77-37-5. This year’s edition, played in Austin for the first time since the hiatus, drew a sellout crowd of over 100,000, many clad in burnt orange or maroon, underscoring the bitterness that has simmered since A&M’s departure to the SEC in 2012.
For Texas, coached by Steve Sarkisian, the game represented a chance to play spoiler against a conference foe that could clinch a spot in the SEC championship with a win. The Longhorns, at 8-2, have had an up-and-down season marked by a stunning upset loss to Georgia earlier in the year but rebounded with strong showings against Oklahoma and Kansas State. Sarkisian praised his team’s field goal unit post-drive, noting, “That block was huge momentum for us, but we know A&M isn’t going away easy.”
As the game progressed into halftime with the score knotted, analysts on ESPN and other networks dissected Reed’s injury. Medical experts, speaking generally about such twists, suggested it could be a high-ankle sprain, a common but nagging issue for mobile quarterbacks. However, Reed’s ability to return so swiftly was hailed as a testament to his conditioning. One former NFL trainer, quoted on air, said, “If he’s back out there leading drives, it’s probably not as severe as it looked—kudos to the A&M staff for getting him right.”
Beyond the immediate drama, the stakes for Texas A&M extend to the broader SEC landscape. A victory here would secure their ticket to Atlanta for the conference championship against likely Georgia or Alabama, positioning the Aggies for their first SEC title since joining the league. The undefeated mark has put them squarely in the national championship conversation, with projections from the College Football Playoff committee placing them at No. 3 in the latest rankings released Thursday.
Texas, meanwhile, is fighting for bowl eligibility and pride in a season that started with national title aspirations but faltered amid injuries to key players like running back CJ Baxter. The Longhorns’ defense, led by All-SEC linebacker Anthony Hill Jr., has been a bright spot, ranking top-20 nationally in sacks and turnovers forced. Hill’s block on the field goal attempt was a highlight, with teammates crediting his pursuit angle for disrupting the kick.
Looking back at Reed’s season arc adds context to his Heisman buzz. A former three-star recruit from Houston, Reed took over as starter midway through 2024 after an injury to predecessor Conner Weigman. His poise under pressure, including a game-winning drive against LSU, has drawn comparisons to past Aggie greats like Johnny Manziel. Scouts report that Reed’s 4.6-second 40-yard dash time makes him a nightmare for defenses, blending pocket presence with escapability.
The rivalry’s revival has boosted attendance and TV ratings across the board, with this game expected to draw over 10 million viewers. Economic impacts ripple through Austin, from packed bars on Sixth Street to boosted hotel revenues. Local business owners, speaking to reporters pre-game, anticipated a windfall, with one bar manager saying, “These nights are gold—Aggies and Horns fans mix it up, but they all spend.”
As the second half loomed, both teams adjusted strategies. Texas aimed to keep pressure on Reed’s ankle with simulated pressures, while A&M leaned on a run-heavy approach featuring tailback Le’Veon Moss, who had already amassed 85 yards in the first half. Offensive coordinator Colin Klein for the Aggies emphasized post-game preparation, stating, “We game-plan for everything, including contingencies at QB. Miles did well, but Marcel’s our guy.”
In the grander scheme, this matchup highlights the SEC’s depth and the intrigue of conference realignment. Texas’s entry in 2024 intensified competition, and games like this could foreshadow playoff implications. If Texas A&M prevails, it not only locks in their SEC destiny but elevates Reed’s Heisman stock, potentially making him the first Aggie to win since Manziel in 2012.
With the clock ticking toward a decisive finish, the Lone Star Showdown remained anyone’s game, a testament to the evenly matched foes and the unyielding spirit of college football’s fiercest rivalries. Fans on both sides held their collective breath, knowing one play—or one twist of fate—could swing the outcome.