The Texas A&M defense gave its team a spark midway through the third quarter when Justin Madubuike and Elijah Bladeswith sacked Ole Miss QB John Rhys Plumlee for an 11-yard loss and forced a fumble. That’s when Buddy Johnson scooped the ball and went 64 yards for a touchdown.

It was a key stop on defense as Ole Miss had generated a 9-play drive to that point.

That sequence gave the Aggies their first lead since the first quarter, as they took a 17-14 edge. Johnson’s return is the longest fumble return by an Aggie since Jonte Buhl’s 98-yard return on Nov. 26, 2004 against Texas. The Aggies defense has had a strong night as Madubuike blocked a field goal attempt on the next drive to keep A&M on top.

The Aggies have largely held the Rebels in check passing the ball as they have just 67 yards.

Johnson leads the Aggies with 38 tackles, and he also has 6.5 tackles for a loss, with a sack, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.