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Mississippi State

Inside the numbers: Mississippi State-Texas A&M first half stats

Paul Jones Mississippi State Bulldogsby: Paul Jones10/05/25PaulJonesOn3
NCAA Football: Mississippi State at Texas A&M
Oct 4, 2025; College Station, Texas, USA; Mississippi State Bulldogs head coach Jeff Lebby greets Texas A&M Aggies head coach Mike Elkoprior to the game at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Maria Lysaker-Imagn Images

Mississippi State (4-1) and No. 6 Texas A&M have reached halftime at Kyle Field and the host Aggies hold a 7-3 advantage.

After both teams punted on their first offensive series, State put together a productive drive with a good balance of the ground game and passing game. However, a costly penalty at the Aggies’ one-yard line forced State to settle for a Kyle Ferrie 24-yard field goal, giving State an early 3-0 lead with 4:21 left in the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Texas A&M looked poised to take its first lead of the game and had first and goal at the State four-yard line. But the Bulldogs’ defense stiffened and held the Aggies out of the end zone on four straight running plays to maintain the 3-0 lead.

However, the Aggies did notch the game’s first touchdown a couple of series later. Marcell Reed connected with KC Concepcion for a 34-yard touchdown pass to give Texas A&M a 7-3 lead with 1:54 remaining in the half.

Neither team would threaten in the closing minutes as the Aggies took a 7-3 halftime advantage.

In the opening half, Mississippi State managed just 107 yards of offense with 62 coming on the ground. The Bulldogs were just 1 of 8 on third down and had three penalties for 35 yards. Mississippi State had the ball for 12:59 of the first half.

Texas A&M had 179 yards of offense with 108 coming on the ground. The Aggies were 3 of 6 on third down and had seven penalties for 57 yards. Texas A&M had the ball for 17:01 of the first half and are set to receiving the second half opening kickoff.

Individually, State quarterback Blake Shapen was 6 of 9 for 45 yards with one interception. Fluff Bothwell led the ground game with nine carries for 46 yards while Davon Booth added seven carries for 44 yards. Anthony Evans had two catches for 14 yards to pace State receivers.

For the Aggies, Reed was 5 of 12 passing for 71 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Rueben Owens led the Texas A&M rushing attack with 12 carries for 47 yards while Concepcion had two catches for 46 yards and the lone touchdown of the first half.

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