Auburn's Payton Thorne tossed a two-point scoring pass to KeAndre Lambert-Smith in the fourth overtime to give the host Tigers a 43-41 upset of No. 15 Texas A&M on Saturday night in Southeastern Conference play. The Aggies had a chance to force another extra session, but Amari Daniels dropped Marcel Reed's pass in the end zone.
The setback severely hurts the chances of Texas A&M (8-3, 5-2 SEC) being part of the 12-team College Football Playoff field. Auburn blew a 21-point lead and later forced overtime on Ian Vachon's 29-yard field goal with five seconds left in regulation. Thorne was 19-of-31 passing for 301 yards, two touchdowns and one interception for the Tigers (5-6, 2-5).
Jarquez Hunter rushed for 130 yards and three touchdowns on 28 rushes, Cam Coleman had seven receptions for 128 yards and two touchdowns, and Lambert-Smith had 104 receiving yards on two catches for Auburn. Reed completed 22 of 35 passes for 297 yards, three touchdowns and one interception for the Aggies. Noah Thomas caught five passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns, Jahdae Walker had a receiving score and Terry Bussey added a rushing touchdown for Texas A&M.
The Aggies never led until Daniels scored on an 8-yard run up the middle with 4:01 remaining in regulation. Daniels rushed for 90 yards on 27 carries. Texas A&M had first possession in overtime and scored when Reed tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Walker.
Auburn answered with Hunter's 2-yard scoring run. The Tigers settled for a 41-yard field.
