Texas A&M Football: Every Johnny Manziel game, ranked

21. No. 20 Texas A&M falls to No. 6 LSU, 24-19

Oct. 20, 2012

One of the interesting quirks of the Aggies’ first SEC schedule was an October game with LSU rather than an annual late November tilt. After racking up five-straight SEC victories, including a thriller over Louisiana Tech, the nation was well aware of the dual-threat quarterback that donned maroon and white every Saturday. The LSU defense new about No. 2 — they just didn’t care.

A 12-0 lead wasn’t enough for Texas A&M, who scored just seven points after halftime. The 5-point defeat was marred by two missed field goals by kicker Taylor Bertolet.

For only the second time that season Manziel was held without a passing touchdown. Not only was he limited through the air, he was intercepted three times, a feat that would only happen twice in his entire collegiate career. His 27 rushing yards on 17 carries marked his worst yards per carry average (1.6) at Texas A&M.

This loss stung a little bit more when Texas A&M reeled of another set of five-straight wins, finishing second in the SEC. The loss to LSU was the Aggies’ only loss against an SEC West team that season, but it proved to be the costliest of the season, keeping the Aggies from an SEC Championship game appearance in their first season in the conference.