BREAKING: LSU Crushes No. 23 Texas A&M 35-6 in Death Valley

Death Valley did not get a nail-biter. It got a statement.

No. 10 LSU answered its first loss of the 2026 season by overwhelming No. 23 Texas A&M 35-6 on Saturday night, turning a competitive first half into a third-quarter avalanche and keeping the Aggies out of the end zone for the entire game.

Quick Answer

LSU defeated Texas A&M 35-6 on September 26, 2026, at Tiger Stadium. The Tigers outgained the Aggies 506-193, scored five touchdowns and allowed none. Sam Leavitt threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns, both to Jackson Harris, who finished with 163 receiving yards. LSU improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play.

How LSU turned a 14-3 halftime lead into a rout

LSU led 7-0 after the first quarter and 14-3 at halftime, but the game broke open immediately after the break. Leavitt found Harris for a 57-yard touchdown, Landen Clark added two rushing scores and the Tigers poured on 21 third-quarter points. Texas A&M managed only a second field goal and never crossed the goal line.

That surge matched the pressure points identified in TigerHype’s final matchup prediction—but LSU turned the expected close game into something far more decisive.

Sam Leavitt and Jackson Harris broke the game open

Leavitt completed 17 of 26 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Harris was the night’s defining matchup problem, catching six passes for 163 yards and both of Leavitt’s touchdown throws. Their 57-yard strike in the third quarter pushed LSU’s lead to 21-3 and changed the game from a defensive grind into a rout.

Dilin Jones supplied LSU’s opening touchdown on the ground, while Clark scored twice after halftime. The Tigers finished with 194 rushing yards and averaged 7.9 yards per play, balance that Texas A&M never found an answer for.

LSU’s defense erased Texas A&M’s offense

The most emphatic number was not 35. It was zero: Texas A&M did not score a touchdown. LSU held the Aggies to 193 total yards, 106 passing yards, 87 rushing yards and 11 first downs. Texas A&M converted only four of 15 third downs and finished with two interceptions.

Marcel Reed completed 10 of 26 passes for 106 yards with no touchdowns and one interception. LSU’s plan for Reed—previewed through Ty Benefield’s role in containing the Aggies quarterback—held up when the game became real. Reed also finished with minus-13 rushing yards after sacks were included.

What the 35-6 win means for LSU

LSU is back above water in the SEC. The Tigers improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in conference play one week after losing 32-24 at Ole Miss. Texas A&M dropped to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the SEC, a brutal opening position in the league race.

The result also snapped Texas A&M’s two-game winning streak in the series and gave Lane Kiffin his first SEC victory as LSU’s head coach. For pregame context, see TigerHype’s LSU–Texas A&M game-day guide and the final availability report.

LSU vs. Texas A&M FAQ

What was the final score of LSU vs. Texas A&M?

No. 10 LSU defeated No. 23 Texas A&M 35-6 on Saturday, September 26, 2026, at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge.

How did Sam Leavitt perform against Texas A&M?

LSU quarterback Sam Leavitt completed 17 of 26 passes for 312 yards, two touchdowns and one interception.

Who led LSU in receiving?

Jackson Harris caught six passes for 163 yards and two touchdowns, including a 57-yard score in the third quarter.

What are LSU and Texas A&M’s records after the game?

LSU improved to 3-1 overall and 1-1 in SEC play. Texas A&M fell to 2-2 overall and 0-2 in the SEC.

Join the postgame discussion

What impressed you most in LSU’s 35-6 statement win—the Leavitt-to-Harris connection, the third-quarter explosion or a defense that did not allow a touchdown? Take the debate to LSU Game Day.

Sources

The final score is recorded by the Texas A&M Athletics official box-score page. Team and player statistics are from the CBS Sports game tracker.