Saturday’s matchup between South Carolina and Texas A&M was already packed with drama, but an unusual off-field moment stole some headlines.
A Texas Department of Public Safety trooper was sent home after confronting South Carolina star Nyck Harbor and teammate Oscar Adaway III following a touchdown, leaving fans and players alike scratching their heads.
Harbor’s Electrifying 80-Yard Touchdown
The Gamecocks’ receiver sprinted 80 yards to the end zone in a stunning first-half display in College Station.
Harbor’s speed and agility seemed unstoppable as South Carolina opened the game with a furious pace.
But the celebration quickly turned tense as Harbor appeared to tweak his hamstring and jogged off down the tunnel at Kyle Field.
Bizarre Tunnel Confrontation Caught on Live TV
Moments later, Harbor re-emerged near the field, accompanied by several teammates, only for the situation to take a strange turn.
On ESPN’s live broadcast, a police officer charged straight into Harbor and running back Adaway, knocking them off balance.
Both players paused, bewildered, as the officer pointed and seemingly shouted, “Get out of here!”
Adaway even extended a hand, possibly in apology or confusion, before guiding Harbor away from the confrontation.
Neither player seemed to understand the reason for the incident.
Texas DPS Responds
Later that afternoon, the Texas A&M Police and the Department of Public Safety issued statements.
The DPS confirmed the trooper had been relieved of his game-day duties and that the Office of Inspector General would investigate further.
“We are aware of the incident and will be looking into it,” the statement read, emphasizing that the situation was being taken seriously.
South Carolina’s Stunning Start Against the No. 3 Aggies
Despite the tunnel incident, South Carolina put on a remarkable first-half performance.
Entering the game with a 3-6 record, the Gamecocks surprised the undefeated No. 3 Aggies by scoring three first-half touchdowns, racing to a 30-3 lead by the third quarter.
The team’s explosive start had fans thinking an upset was in the making.
Texas A&M’s Record-Breaking Comeback
But Texas A&M wasn’t ready to roll over.
Led by quarterback Marcel Reed, who threw for a career-high 439 yards and three touchdowns, the Aggies orchestrated the largest comeback in school history.
They overcame a 27-point halftime deficit to edge South Carolina 31-30, breaking the previous 21-point rally led by Johnny Manziel in 2013.
Coach Mike Elko praised his team’s resilience: “I’m not lost for words very much, but I was lost for words with the team in the locker room after the game.
A lot of that emotion was just pride in who they were, how they conducted themselves.”
SEC History Rewritten
Before Saturday, no team in SEC play since 2004 had ever come back from a 27-point deficit.
Texas A&M’s dramatic turnaround now holds that record, and it will be remembered as one of the most improbable games in College Station history.
What Comes Next
Investigations into the tunnel incident are ongoing, and the DPS has promised accountability.
Meanwhile, the SEC and college football fans will be talking about both South Carolina’s explosive start and Texas A&M’s unforgettable comeback for years to come.