Texas A&M heads to LSU without Terry Bussey, putting more pressure on its coverage units and return game in a matchup where field position could be decisive.
Texas A&M’s special teams could become one of the quietest but most important factors Saturday night at LSU.
The Aggies enter the matchup without Terry Bussey, who suffered a season-ending lower-body injury on the opening kickoff against Kentucky. That loss removes one of A&M’s most experienced return threats and changes the special-teams equation heading into Baton Rouge.
Bussey averaged 23.4 yards per kickoff return in 2025 and had already handled both kickoff and punt returns this season. His absence means Texas A&M must find production elsewhere in a game where hidden yardage could matter as much as offensive efficiency.
The biggest challenge comes from LSU punter Grant Chadwick.
Chadwick averaged 45.7 yards per punt last season, ranking second in the SEC, and placed 20 punts inside the 20-yard line. He also had 21 punts travel at least 50 yards.
That kind of field-position weapon can make life difficult for an offense already trying to protect quarterback Marcel Reed from obvious passing situations.
That’s why Texas A&M cannot afford a sloppy special-teams night.
A poor return, penalty or mishandled punt could force the Aggies to consistently start drives deep in their own territory. Against an LSU defense that has already been disruptive, those extra yards matter.
There’s also recent history here.
Last season in Baton Rouge, Bussey averaged 34 yards on two kickoff returns, while Texas A&M also produced a 79-yard punt-return touchdown in its 49-25 victory. LSU’s Chadwick punted seven times for a 45.9-yard average in that game.
That matchup showed just how dramatically special teams can swing momentum.
Without Bussey, A&M’s margin for error is smaller.
The Aggies don’t necessarily need a huge return to win the special-teams battle Saturday. They need clean exchanges, reliable coverage and enough return yardage to keep Reed from constantly facing long fields.
MORE: Texas A&M Offense Faces Major Test Against LSU’s Dominant Defense
If LSU’s punting game controls field position and Texas A&M fails to replace Bussey’s production, the edge belongs to the Tigers.
If the Aggies can stay even in the kicking game, they’ll give themselves a much better chance to steal one in Death Valley.
