Texas A&M dropped a 33-28 decision to Kansas State on Saturday in the AdvoCare V100 Texas Bowl at NRG Stadium in Houston.

Here’s a closer look at Texas A&M’s season-ending loss to Kansas State, a loss that put the SEC at 1-2 this bowl season:

What it means: Same stuff, different year. For the third consecutive season, the Aggies finish with a disappointing 8-5 record after roaring out of the starting gate. The past three seasons have nearly been carbon copies of one another with Texas A&M winning the first half of the season before coming apart down the stretch. The Aggies lost their second consecutive bowl game after winning four straight.

What I liked: The heart, drive and desire was there from the start. Josh Reynolds was spectacular. Texas A&M took the opening kickoff and drove 75 yards in 10 plays to take an early 7-0 lead. The Aggies marched the length of the field like a team possessed. They were not to be denied, executing to near perfection OC Noel Mazzone’s up-tempo offense that utilized the talent of Texas A&M’s skilled running backs and wide receivers. Four players advanced the ball during that drive, culminating with a 19-yard touchdown pass from QB Trevor Knight to WR Rickey Seals-Jones — his first touchdown catch of the season. Knight finished with 310 passing yards and three touchdowns.

What I didn’t like: Defense continued to go in the wrong direction. In his second season as defensive coordinator, John Chavis appeared to have things rolling. Texas A&M looked improved defensively through the first half of the season, but regressed over the second half. Injuries took their toll as well, and DT Zaycoven Henderson went down early in the game with an injury. The Aggies had problems all night long stopping a Kansas State offense that ranked ninth out of 10 teams in the Big 12 this season. The Wildcats were able to gain momentum with three early explosive plays — two went for touchdowns while the other set up another score.

Who’s the man: WR Josh Reynolds finished with 12 catches for 154 yards and two touchdowns. He hauled in a pair of scoring strikes from Knight, making eight consecutive games to catch a touchdown pass — a school record. Reynolds also set a school record for bowl games with his 12th catch late in the fourth quarter.

Key play: It wasn’t how it was drawn up, but it sparked the Aggies nevertheless. Deep in their own territory, Knight rifled a pass that went through one Aggies receiver and into the arms of Christian Kirk for a 23-yard gain. Instead of potentially punting from deep in their own territory, the Aggies instead drove 90 yards in 10 plays to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 23-21 midway through the third quarter. It was a 2-point lead for Kansas State rather than 3 because Aggies DE Myles Garrett blocked an extra-point kick attempt early in the second quarter. However, that was as close as the Aggies would get.

What’s next: The Aggies completed the 2016 season and look ahead to next year. Recruiting battles are in their immediate future and then spring football after that. It all leads to the 2017 season, which begins for Texas A&M on the road at UCLA on Sept. 2.