COLUMBIA, S.C. _ Just like last week, South Carolina staged a furious third quarter rally. Unlike last week, it fell short as the Gamecocks fell, 26-23, to Texas A&M in front of an announced crowd of 76,871 in Williams-Brice Stadium.
South Carolina (3-3, 2-3 SEC) fell to 0-5 all-time against Texas A&M. The No. 22 Aggies improved to 5-2 and 3-1 on the season. The Gamecocks have now lost eight straight to ranked opponents. They are 1-8 all-time under head coach Will Muschamp against ranked opponents.
The Gamecocks returned to starting quarterback Jake Bentley after Bentley missed last week's 37-35 win over Missouri. Bentley finished 17-for-35 for 223 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He was plagued by dropped passes, two by Shi Smith and one each by Deebo Samuel, Bryan Edwards and Kiel Pollard. The passes to Samuel and Edwards would have led to big gains in the first half.
Texas A&M appeared to put the game away on a 3-yard touchdown run by Trayveon Williams to go ahead 26-16 with 1:36 remaining, but South Carolina went 75 yards in 48 seconds to pull back within one score on a 6-yard touchdown catch by Samuel that cut the Aggies lead to 26-23. The Gamecocks' ensuing onside kick attempt failed.
Texas A&M outgained South Carolina 477-299.
