Alabama vs. Texas A&M: Tagovailoa dismantles Aggies with 5 touchdowns

Dan Bernstein

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Alabama vs. Texas A&M: Tagovailoa dismantles Aggies with 5 touchdowns image

Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa dropped back less than a minute into the first quarter Saturday against Texas A&M and uncorked a 30-yard touchdown strike to DeVonta Smith.

His first throw set the tone for a game in which he amassed five total touchdowns — four through the air and one on the ground — and made a strong case for Heisman Trophy consideration. Tagovailoa is up to 13 scores this season with no turnovers. His latest effort spurred a 45-23 win over the Aggies.

MORE: Alabama vs. Texas A&M live stats tracker

Texas A&M almost beat Clemson two weeks ago, but coach Jimbo Fisher's team was overmatched for most of this matchup against the Crimson Tide, getting outgained 524 yards to 393.

Here's how Alabama claimed the victory (all times ET):

Fourth quarter: Alabama 45, Texas A&M 23

7:03 p.m.: That does it! The game was somewhat close in the first quarter, but Alabama proved way too good for the Aggies from that point on.

6:51 p.m.: With about three minutes remaining, Alabama remains in full control. The Crimson Tide still lead by 22.

6:42 p.m.: Forget what we just said! Mond scampers nine yards for a touchdown, cutting Alabama's big lead to 45-23.

6:39 p.m.: Alabama's defense has allowed just three points since the 3:24 mark in the second quarter. Mond has no time to get rid of the ball right now.

Third quarter: Alabama 45, Texas A&M 16

6:26 p.m.: As the third quarter ends, Alabama replaces Tagovailoa with Jalen Hurts. This game hasn't been close for a while.

6:22 p.m.: Tagovailoa is having a decent game.

6:17 p.m.: He's gone! Henry Ruggs III takes a shovel pass 57 yards to the house. Alabama is up 45-16.

6:07 p.m.: Small hits his third field goal of the day for Texas A&M. Unfortunately for the Aggies, there's been little else. Alabama leads 38-16.

6:01 p.m.: Texas A&M has moved it to the Alabama 14-yard line behind a series of nice throws from Mond. He has 117 yards passing.

5:53 p.m.: Touchdown. Alabama scores again, this time via a three-yard Josh Jacobs run. The Crimson Tide are up 38-13.

5:51 p.m.: The Aggies secondary is beginning to fall apart, and Tagovailoa is targeting defensive backs with deep balls. A busted coverage helps Irv Smith Jr. make a 42-yard reception.

5:47 p.m.: It's not happening for Texas A&M right now. Mond is sacked on third down. Crimson Tide get the ball back.

5:40 p.m.: Alabama punts. This will be a huge possession for Texas A&M — the game is very close to slipping out of reach.

5:37 p.m.: The second half is underway. Alabama gets the ball.

Halftime:

5:24 p.m.: Here are some halftime stats:

Total yards: Alabama 280; Texas A&M 197.

Tua Tagovailoa: 17 of 20 passing for 239 yards; three rushes for 8 yards; four total touchdowns
Kellen Mond: 6 of 12 passing for 55 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions; 12 rushes for 112 yards

Rushing: Alabama 12 rushes for 41 yards, one touchdown; Texas A&M 19 rushes for 142 yards
Turnovers: Alabama 0; Texas A&M 2
Third downs: Alabama 3 of 5; Texas A&M 1 of 5

Second quarter: Alabama 31, Texas A&M 13

5:15 p.m.: Field goal is good. Alabama extends its lead to 31-13 to end the first half.

5:12 p.m.: With 19 seconds remaining in the half, Mond forces the issue and throws an interception. Alabama has a chance to pad its lead.

5:08 p.m.: A fourth total touchdown for Tagovailoa! His third through the air gives Alabama a 28-13 advantage.

5:07 p.m.: Another big play for Alabama! A wheel route down the right sideline is completely uncovered, and the Crimson Tide are back in the red zone.

5:03 p.m.: Small makes a 32-yard field goal for the Aggies. Alabama is up 21-13. 

4:57 p.m.: Mond is causing problems on the ground. His second rush of at least 30 yards puts him at 92 rushing yards for the game.

4:50 p.m.: Two for Tua through the air and one on the ground! This time tight end Hale Hentges benefits from a touchdown pass from the lefty quarterback. Alabama leads 21-10.

4:44 p.m.: Texas A&M kicker Seth Small makes a 52-yard field goal. Alabama leads 14-10.

4:41 p.m.: Texas A&M gets the ball back. Right away, a Crimson Tide defensive pass interference advances the Aggies up the field.

4:38 p.m.: The Aggies punt, and Alabama starts inside its own 10.

First quarter: Alabama 14, Texas A&M 7

4:26 p.m.: The first quarter is done, and despite the early Mond interception we have a game. Mond is 5 of 7 for 49 yards and a touchdown through the air. He's also rushed for 56 yards.

4:22 p.m.: Alabama is back in front. Tagovailoa runs the ball into the end zone untouched from a yard out. Crimson Tide up 14-7.

4:18 p.m.: Aggies safety Donovan Wilson is ejected for targetting.

4:10 p.m.: Touchdown, Aggies. Mond hits Jace Sternberg for a 15-yard score. After that 99-yard drive, this game is tied.

4:09 p.m.: Mond on the run! The Aggies quarterback keeps it up the middle for 54 yards. Texas A&M is in the red zone.

4:01 p.m.: After Alabama downed a punt on the 1-yard line, Mond completes a pass from his own end zone to the 14-yard line.

3:56 p.m.: Smith now shows his power by ramming through several Texas A&M defenders after a catch, bringing Alabama into Aggies territory.

3:51 p.m.: Mond is sacked on third down, and the Aggies punt it away.

3:47 p.m.: It hardly needs to be said, but this is a nightmarish start for Texas A&M. 

3:44 p.m.: Touchdown for the Crimson Tide! Tagovailoa tosses it 30 yards for the score. What a pass to find DeVonta Smith racing toward the end zone. Alabama up 7-0.

3:42 p.m.: Interception! Alabama picks off Kellen Mond on the second play of the game.

3:40 p.m.: Kickoff. Texas A&M starts with the ball.

3:27 p.m.: Some Alabama legends are in attendence.

3:19 p.m.: If you squint your eyes you can see some rain in Tuscaloosa. The bad weather is not supposed to last, though.

2:52 p.m.: We're about 45 minutes away from kickoff.

2:25 p.m.: Texas A&M is now also at the stadium.

2:08 p.m.: Tim Tebow has a take, and we're contractually obligated to show it to you.

2:01 p.m.: Alabama arrives.

1:22 p.m.: It's been six years since this game took place, and Alabama has won the past five meetings between these teams.  While Johnny Football will live on in the hearts of A&M fans for a while, Fisher wants to put a new highlight on his program's reel.

Dan Bernstein