COLLEGE STATION, Texas, Sept. 14 (UPI) -- A.J. McCarron outdueled Heisman Trophy-winner Johnny Manziel Saturday, tossing four touchdowns in No. 1 Alabama's 49-42 win over No. 6 Texas A&M.
McCarron (20-for-29, 334 yards) led Alabama to 35 straight points after the Crimson Tide had fallen behind 14-0 in the first quarter.
The Tide (2-0, 1-0 SEC) weathered a late Aggies charge and held on to avenge last November's 29-22 home-field loss to Texas A&M -- a defeat that almost dashed their hopes for what turned out to be a second straight national championship season.
T.J. Yeldon amassed for 149 rushing yards on 25 carries for Alabama Saturday.
Manziel was 28-for-39 passing, amassing a career-best 464 yards and throwing five touchdown strikes, but he was also intercepted twice. Manziel picked up 98 yards rushing for the Aggies (2-1, 0-1).
The second interception was returned 73 yards for a touchdown by Vinnie Sunseri, securing Alabama's victory.
Texas A&M's Mike Evans corralled seven passes for a school-record 279 yards, including a 95-yard TD grab.
