The first quarter was a nightmare for the Texas A&M Aggies.

After securing a perfect record in the SEC with a home win against the LSU Tigers, the scenario was clear: win on the road and take a timeout.

A win against the Gamecocks would keep Texas A&M atop the conference heading into a bye week. After that it would be rewarded with hopefully a great game against New Mexico State. On the other hand, one loss would result in two losses and significantly diminish any chances of a spot in the College Football Playoff without a conference title.

The Aggies trailed 14-0 early after South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers scored the game's first score and threw the second. The Aggies needed an offensive boost to get back into the game.

Luckily, Marcel Reed started to figure it out and led the Aggies to two touchdowns and two field goals as both teams were tied at 20 points each. At halftime, he was 8 of 12 for 103 yards and a touchdown.

Amari Daniels, filling in as the primary running back for the injured Le'Veon Moss, who left the game in the first quarter, got the momentum going with a 56-yard rush to break into the end zone for the first time in the half. After that, it was a methodical approach that led to the second score.

South Carolina marched down the field hoping to tie the game at the end of the quarter, and after a series of defensive penalties, they succeeded. Alex Herrera scored from 44 yards to give the Gamecocks the halftime equalizer.

With the third quarter approaching, Texas A&M will look to continue building on its offensive success and close out the half – the addition of receiver Jahdae Walker, who was suspended for the first half last week after a targeting call should help – and clean things up position defensively.

The Aggies may have climbed out of their hole, but they're far from done with the job.

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