COLLEGE STATION, Tx.– Capitalizing on two late Texas A&M turnovers, LSU shook off a putrid offensive start and holds a 14-12 lead at the half in College Station.

Behind by as much as 12 points, the Tigers capitalized on a Johnny Manziel interception and a Ben Malena fumble on consecutive drives to score 14 unanswered points and take a tenuous lead into the break.

Ineffective for most of the half, junior quarterback Zach Mettenberger lofted a touchdown to junior wide receiver Kadron Boone with 11 seconds remaining to put the Tigers ahead 14-12.

Completing only five passes, Mettenberger was under duress for most of the half, taking two sacks and making several errant throws.

Manziel, a redshirt freshman, zigged and zagged away from defenders to throw for 169 yards, leading the Aggies on two consecutive scoring drives to open the game, putting the Aggies up 9-0.

After A&M tacked on another field goal, Manziel’s first mistake came when he floated a pass that was picked off by Tiger freshman Jalen Collins, resulting in a 20 yard touchdown run by junior running back Michael Ford eight plays later.

Malena’s fumble on the next drive, recovered by junior linebacker Lamin Barrow, set up the touchdown pass to Boone.

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