Offensive Outburst Offensive Outburst

Transcription

AgsIlllustrrated
d
AgsIllustra
ated
Volume 13, No. 14
November 2 2003
Offensive Outburst
Aggies Outscore Jayhawks 45-33
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
Ag Offense Tops KU . .......................................................................4-11
by Scott Clendenin and Jason Lincoln
Football Photos .................................................................................12-13
Oklahoma Preview ............................................................................14-17
by Scott Clendenin
Aggie Recruiting........................ ..............................................................18
by Scott Clendenin
Basketball Scrimmage ......................................................................19-21
by Scott Clendenin
AgTimes.com Pages........... ................................................................22-23
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Ags Illusttratted
Ags Illustrated is published monthly January,
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In our next issue . . .
Mizzo Preview
VOLUME 13,
NUMBER 14
November 2, 2003
EDITOR
Scott Clendenin
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Angela Clendenin
CONTRIBUTING
WRITERS
Jason Lincoln, Ed Watson,
CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Brice Clendenin
Texas A&M SID
J. P, Beato
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Page 2
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
AGGIE
INSIDER
Volleyball tops Mizzou
No. 21 Texas A&M extended its winning
streak to seven with a crucial 30-21, 13-30, 30-28,
27-30, 15-13 victory over No. 24 Missouri
tonight in front of 2,344 at the Hearnes Center.
The Aggies improve to 17-5 overall and 9-3
in the Big 12 to move into third place in the
league standings, a half game ahead of the
Tigers. Missouri, which suffered its first home
loss of the season, falls to 16-6, 9-4.
A&M overcame a three-point deficit in the
fifth and deciding game and took its first lead at
7-6 following a block by Carrie Moreira and
Kendra Felder. The Tigers answered with a kill
and an ace to regain a one-point lead. A&M
matched Missouri point for point, tying the
score five times before back-to-back kills by
Laura Jones gave the Aggies a 13-12 advantage.
The Tigers got a kill to tie the score for the ninth
time in the game before Carol Price registered
consecutive kills to seal the victory.
Four Aggies reached double digits in kills
with Jones posting team highs of 19 kills and a
.405 hitting percentage. Melissa Munsch tied her
season high with a team-leading 21 digs, and
Price, Felder and Tara Pulaski tallied four blocks
apiece as A&M outblocked Missouri, 9-3.
Missouri, which outhit A&M, .249 to .226,
was led by Shen Danru, who recorded 22 kills
but was held to a .179 hitting efficiency. Lindsey
Noll had 20 kills and hit .450 for the match.
Missouri scored the first point of the match
on an A&M error, but the Aggies answered with
four consecutive points and held the lead for the
remainder of the game. A&M built its biggest
lead at 27-17 as Moreira tallied one of her five
kills of the game by tooling the Missouri block.
The Aggies were leading, 29-21, when Tara
Pulaski finished off the game with a tip that fell
for a kill. A&M outhit Missouri, .273 to .132.
It was the Aggies who were out of sync in
the second game. Missouri, which hit a blistering .606 in the frame while holding A&M to a
.188 hitting percentage, took advantage of
A&M’s passing and hitting miscues while holding the Aggies to a season-low 13 points in a 30point game.
The final three games went down to the
wire. There were six lead changes and 12 ties in
Game 3. The Aggies were able to overcome an
early three-point deficit to take their first lead at
11-10. Missouri regained the lead at 13-12 and
held the lead until a block by Felder and Price
put A&M up, 18-17.
Missouri took its final lead of the game at
24-23 following a three-point run, but back-toback errors by the Tigers gave the Aggies a lead
they would not relinquish. Missouri tied the
score at 25 and 26 when Price and Munsch posted consecutive kills to put A&M up, 28-26. The
teams exchanged points for the remainder of the
game with a Missouri service error clinching the
win for A&M.
Women Maroon and White Game
Lynn Classen and Toccara Williams led the
Maroon team over the White, 72-68, during
Texas A&M’s Maroon and White women’s basketball game Saturday evening at Reed Arena.
Classen, a senior, scored a game-high 24
points while Williams, a senior, scored 21 points
and grabbed seven rebounds.
The game served as the warm up for the
squad’s first exhibition game scheduled for
Thursday at 7 p.m. at Reed Arena.
“I’m pleasantly surprised,” coach Gary Blair
said. “We’ve only scrimmaged for a total of 10
minutes going up and down the court until
today. The rest of our practice time has been
spent in half court and teaching. On top of that
a majority of the players played all 40 minutes
tonight.”
The Maroon jumped out to a 25-10 lead in
the opening half before the White team rallied
and closed the gap to 37-35 at halftime.
In the second half, the White took a 48-43
lead, but could not hold on to it as the Maroon
team chopped away and regained the advantage, 56-55. The Maroon team never relinquished the lead.
Paced by freshman guard Jamila Ganter, the
White team faced a senior laden Maroon team
and Blair said the White team held their own.
“I thought Jamila Ganter kept her team in it
knowing she was going against three seniors,”
Blair said. “I don’t think she had any turnovers
and it was the best she has played the last two
weeks.”
The White team was led in scoring by sophomore Tamea Scales with 20 points and 10
rebounds, and by junior transfer Charlette
Castile’s 17 points. Junior transfer D’Nika
Romero scored 12 points.
Ags Illustrated
Page 3
THE MAROON ROOM
As we all prepare for a great 2003 season, I wish to again
update you on the progress and a few more ideas for the
new AgTimes.com Maroon Room. The development
process is almost complete, so we’ll be shortly on-line, and
I’ll give you exact date after we complete all the checks to
ensure all systems are “go”.
First of all, for you recruiting mavens (which appear to be
all of you!), The Maroon Room will have weekly video
updates from our various contributors around the state, so
if you’d like to go on one of our Friday night AT scouting
missions in your area, just let us know.
In addition to our Friday night scouting reports, I’ll also
contribute my daily commentary and analysis to The
Maroon Room. We’ll cover Aggie program perspectives,
Big 12 and national recruiting, along with our overall outlook on college football during the 2003 season. Things
wouldn’t be complete if you couldn’t read me poking fun
at the Bloods, Titanic Ty or Phil Fulmer, and of course
your and my personal favorite, Mack Brown. Speaking of
which, our Dallas Cowboy, Jerry Jones and Houston Texan
observations will also add to the fracas. Obviously, recruiting will be the big key here as AT increases its access to
direct sources as important visits and decisions occur.
We’re pleased also to continue our work with Scott
Clendenin, as we reconsolidate “Ags Illustrated” this fall.
Scott and I will be writing weekly game and recruiting
features for our new magazine, which will become available on a real-time, Monday morning basis in The Maroon
Room.
If you’ve purchased “The Class of 2003” video from one of
our retailers in B/CS or Houston or if you picked it up at
one of the Coach’s Nights, please contact Cal or me to
ensure that your user name has been registered. You’ll
want to participate in The Maroon Room this fall on the
free-trial basis I explained in my last message.
If you wish to order "The Class of 2003" Recruit Highlights
Video to gain admission and join The Maroon Room community as it emerges, please click on the "Order it Now!
banner at the top of any page and complete the data fields
(including your USERNAME in special instructions). It
might take you a minute, and your order will be shipped
within 24 hours.
As we settle into The Maroon Room and the free-trial period becomes effective, I’ll provide you the menu of AT subscription products and services, which will include fresh
video clips of key recruits, recruiting insights, and scouting reports on primary Aggie targets. Texas A&M football
and other program reporting features will also be daily
fare, along with the internet “Ags Illustrated” magazine
delivery and TO’s and the AT Team’s daily stream of
sports consciousness.
When Aggie hoops and hardball roll around, Scott will
become the oracle of The Maroon Room, while TO can
always be counted on to rant about tempo and shot selection, followed by strike-zone discipline and pitching
depth. With Bill Byrne now on board, I suspect that both
these exciting programs are about to take a turn in a
decidedly northern direction, and we’ll be there to tell you
all about it!
Stay tuned for the imminent start date of The Maroon
Room, Team.
Ed Watson
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Game Report 2003
Offensive Weekend
Second half propels
Aggies to victory.
By Jason Lincoln
A&M finally got the second half it had been
looking for, and it got jump-started on the first
play. Byron Jones forced a fumble at the 5-yard
line on Kansas’ first play from scrimmage in the
third quarter and Jaxson Appel recovered the
ball and ran into the end zone to give A&M a
21-14 lead with 14:45 remaining in the third
quarter.
The play sparked a 24-point third quarter for
A&M in route to a 45-33 victory over Kansas.
“That’s the way to start a second half.
Certainly the first 8 or 9 minutes of the third
quarter were the deciding point in the ball
game,” Franchione said. “I thought that was the
big swing in the game.”
A&M (4-5, 2-3 Big 12) recovered from two
straight losses in which they scored a combined
22 points. Only 68,487 turned up for the game,
the Aggies’ lowest attendance since 1999
against Southern Miss.
Quarterback Reggie McNeal, despite being
bothered by a leg injury in the first half, got the
Aggie offense back on track. He finished with
330 total yards, a career high and the ninth best
single game performance in school history. He
completed 11-18 passes for 249 yards and one
touchdown, including his first five passes for 96
yards. He also had 71 yards and a touchdown
on the ground while getting sacked just once.
“I was just going out today to be here for my
team and show leadership. I knew I could make
plays with my feet and if I got it to my receivers
they were going to make plays too.”
Courtney Lewis for A&M had another 120
yard game, carrying the ball 26 times and getting one touchdown, his 11th of the season. He
now has 868 yards and needs just one more
score to tie the freshman rushing touchdown
record for A&M.
Courtney Lewis went over 100 yards again this week.
photos by J. P. Beato
Ags Illustrated
Page 4
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Defensively, the Aggies were led by Byron
Jones who forced two fumbles with six tackles,
Appel who had eight tackles with the fumble
recovery for a touchdown and an interception,
and Ronald Jones who had 14 tackles. Appel, a
sophomore, now has 103 stops on the year and
is just the third A&M defensive back to ever
reach 100 tackles in a single season.
Kansas (5-4, 2-3) kept A&M tied in the first
half, answering A&M blow for blow before
A&M blew out the Jayhawks 24-6 in the third
quarter. Freshman quarterback Adam Barmann,
making his first career start had a big game,
completing 25 of 37 passes for 294 yards with
four touchdowns and one interception, which
didn’t come until the final minute of the game.
“I think what he did today was one of the
most gutsy performances in the recent history
of Kansas football,” KU coach Mark Mangino
said. “Not only did he play well, but he managed the huddle, he checked at the line of
scrimmage as often as Bill (Whittemore) does,
and was correct in about every check he made
today. Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable.”
“To think this was his first start – in College
Station, Texas, in one of the best and most hostile venues in college football – to go out and
perform like that is just unbelievable. We
thought all along he was going to be a special
player for us and he stepped up to the plate and
hit a home run.”
His performance set the mark for the best
passing performance by a Kansas freshman. He
also ran for 45 yards and one touchdown on 15
carries.
“I think he did a great job,” Byron Jones said.
“Looking at him I didn’t know if he was a freshman or an upper classman. He played with a lot
of poise for a freshman.”
Keith Joseph gave A&M a 7-0 lead just four
minutes in, taking the pitch from McNeal at the
8 and diving over the left pylon for the score.
McNeal completed his first two passes of
A&M’s opening drive and then the Aggies
worked the ground game eight straight times,
three on keepers by McNeal to get into the end
zone. McNeal ran for two first downs on the
drive, passed for one and Courtney Lewis came
in for the fourth.
It took just two minutes for Kansas to answer.
Adam Barmann completed a short dump pass
to running back Clark Green who avoided four
tackles while running 48-yards into the end
zone to tie the game at 7-7 with 9:28 remaining
in the first quarter.
A&M’s next drive moved equally as fast
before stalling deep in Kansas territory. McNeal
scrambled for two big first down runs to put
A&M across the 50. He completed both of his
passes on the drive, the second a 25-yard pass
to Chad Schroeder down to the 24. Four plays
later, Todd Pegram’s 37-yard field goal attempt
was blocked to end the drive.
Dustin Long came in at quarterback for
A&M’s next drive, completing his first two
passes to get across midfield before throwing an
interception at the 20 yard line. Long was aiming for Carter in traffic and the ball was deflect-
yards.
Two plays later McNeal threw his first incompletion, throwing the ball away under heavy
pressure. The next play, on third and goal from
the third, McNeal ran the option, faked the
pitch and turned up field cutting between a pair
of Jayhawks and into the end zone for the 14-7
lead.
Photos By J. P. Beato
Coach Fran is building the foundation needed for a championship team at Texas A&M
ed up and intercepted by free safety Jonathan
Lamb.
Prior to Long’s entrance, McNeal had completed all four of his passes for 58 yards and
had six carries for an additional 45 yards.
Kansas’ ensuing drive ended in a missed 42yard field goal against a stiff south wind.
McNeal took over under center again as A&M’s
offense came out for its fourth possession of the
game.
McNeal picked up where he left off, running
nine yards before pitching at the last minute to
A-back Jason Carter who finished off the 29yard run. On the next play, he bobbled the snap
but recovered to hit Murphy on a 38-yard pass
down to the 6 yard line.
It was Murphy’s 100th reception, becoming
the fifth A&M receiver to record 100 catches on
his career. He finished with three catches for 72
Ags Illustrated
Page 5
Kansas responded with a 32-yard touchdown
strike from Barmann to Charles Gordon down
to the 1-yard line. Two plays later Barmann ran
up center and the extra point tied the game.
The Jayhawks squibble kick against the wind
was picked up by Murphy and returned 45
yards down to the KU 43. Long returned back
in for McNeal at quarterback. Long completed
his first pass for the first down, but A&M went
backwards on the next two plays and ended up
settling for a punt with less than a minute
remaining in the first half.
McNeal limped into the locker room behind
the rest of the team, apparently nursing his left
leg.
“We’re not supposed to talk about injuries,”
McNeal said. “It was nothing major and I
came back for the second half and was ready to
go.”
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
On KU’s opening play in the second half,
receiver Derick Mills fumbled the ball on a
handoff and the ball skipped back to the 6 yard
line where Mills scooped it up again and ran
across the hash marks before he was hit by
Byron Jones. Jones got his hand on the ball and
forced a second fumble at the 5 yard line where
Jaxson Appel picked up the ball and ran into
the end zone for a 21-14 A&M lead.
“I saw him put it on the ground and fumble it
around and I didn’t know what happened,”
Appel said. “I was getting ready to congratulate
someone and all of a sudden the ball was at my
feet and I picked it up and ran into the end
zone.”
The play sparked A&M’s offense, who added
17 more points.
“I think it was a huge spark,” A&M receiver
“I was just going out today to be
here for my team and show leadership. I knew I could make plays with
my feet and if I got it to my receivers
they were going to make plays too.”
QB Reggie McNeal
Tim Van Zant said. “I was looking on the jumbotron, everyone was getting a little tired and it
was refreshing to see Jaxson jump on the ball
and get into the end zone.”
After KU got nowhere on its second possession of the game, McNeal trotted out again to
resume quarterback duties. McNeal’s first pass
was low, but his second pass was a 46-yard
strike to Earvin Taylor down to the 32. Pegram
finished the drive off with a 22-yard field goal
to give the Aggies a 10 point margin.
A&M held the Jayhawks to three & out and
backed up inside the 10-yard line and forced a
punt to take over at the Kansas 39.
After throwing two incomplete deep passes to
Murphy and then Van Zant, McNeal scrambled
for 14 yards and the first down at the 25-yard
line. On the next play, Lewis took the handoff
and went untouched up the middle for the
touchdown.
Kansas got its first touchdown of the half by
faking the hand off and then throwing 39 yards
to the back, John Randle. Kansas missed the
extra point, and was trailing 31-20 with 5:57 left
in the third quarter.
With 1:38 remaining in the third quarter,
Derek Farmer scored from the 2 yard line on a
run off the left tackle. It was the junior’s first
touchdown of the season and gave A&M a 3820 lead.
Barmann threw his third touchdown of the
game early in the fourth quarter, hitting
Brandon Rideau on an 18-yard strike. Kansas
tried a fake extra point
run, but was stopped just
shy of the goal line.
A&M got another break
as Byron Jones caused his
second fumble of the
game which was scooped
up by linebacker Archie
McDaniel at the Aggie 28.
Van Zant sealed the
game 10 plays later, catching a 28-yard pass for the
Aggies’ final touchdown
with 2:19 remaining. He
finished with five catches
for 102 yards to lead six
A&M receivers.
Kansas answered again,
with a three-play, 42-yard
drive for a touchdown,
but the margin was too
much as A&M hung on
for the victory.
A&M broke its losing
skid, but heads up to
Norman, Okla. to face No.
1 Oklahoma next
Saturday.
“I think after every
game you have to have a
pretty short memory, win
or lose,” VanZant said.
“We won this week, but
we have a really big game
next week in Oklahoma.”
A&M then plays
Missouri and Texas, all
teams with victories over
Top 10 opponents this season.
“We got three tough
games ahead of us,”
Franchione said. “There
all tough on this schedule.
A win is something you
need going into these
games. The mental side of
the game is so important
and today was certainly a
mental lift.”
Ags Illustrated
Page 6
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Inside The Numbers
SCORE BY QUARTERS
1
7
7
Kansas
Texas A&M
2
7
7
3
6
24
4
13
7
Total
33
45
-
TEAM STATS
Texas
A&M
First downs
Rushing
Passing
Penalty
Total Yards
Avg. gain per play
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Kansas
26
16
10
0
547
7.1
26
14
10
2
481
6.7
Rushes-yards
54-253
34-153
Passing yards
Sacked-yards lost
Passes C-A-I
Third Down Conversion
Punts/Avg.
Return Yards
Interceptions-Yards
Fumbles-lost
Penalties-yards
Time of possession
294
1-1
15-23-1
9/15
2-33.0
98
1-26
1-0
3-32
31:20
328
2-5
26-38-1
5/12
3-44.7
139
1-1
4-2
5-35
28:40
SCORING SUMMARY
FIRST QUARTER
Player
Lewis, Courtney
McNeal, Reggie
Farmer, Derek
Carter, Jason
Joseph, Keith
Team
Long, Dustin
Murphy, Terren.
RUSHING
Att
26
12
10
1
2
1
1
1
Player
McNeal, Reggie
Long, Dustin
PASSING
A-C-I
Yds
18-11-0 259
5-4-1
35
Player
Van Zant, Tim
Murphy, Terren.
Taylor, Earvin
Carter, Jason
Schroeder, Chad
Lewis, Courtney
SECOND QUARTER
THIRD QUARTER
A&M - Appel 5 yd Fumble Recovery (Pegram kick)
A&M - Pegram 22 yd Field Goal
A&M - Lewis 25 yd run (Pegram kick)
KU - Randle 39 yd pass from Barmann (kick failed)
A&M - Farmer 2 yd run (Pegram kick)
FOURTH QUARTER
KU - Rideau 18 yd pass from Barmann (rush failed)
A&M - Van Zant 28 yd pass from McNeal (Pegram kick)
KU - Rideau 13 yd pass from Barmann (Brooks kick)
Yds
120
71
34
29
9
-1
-1
-8
RECEIVING
Rec
Yds
5
102
3
72
3
61
2
27
1
25
1
7
A&M - Joseph 8 yd run (Pegram kick)
KU - Green 48 yd pass from Barmann (Beck kick)
A&M - McNeal 4 yd run (Pegram kick)
KU - Barmann 1 yd run (Beck kick)
KANSAS
TEXAS A&M
Player
23 Jones, Ronald
19 Appel, Jaxson
11 Jones, Byron
26 Buhl, Jonte
99 Ross, David
41 McDaniel, Arch.
97 Jolly, Johnny
95 Montgomery, M.
91 Jasmin, Marcus
57 Stickane, Scott
88 Smith, Linnis
49 Manning, Nurah.
15 Wright, Anthony
33 Jackson, Keelan
TACKLES
SOLO
2
6
4
3
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
AST.
12
2
2
3
4
4
5
2
3
3
3
2
2
1
TD
1
1
1
0
1
0
0
0
TD
1
0
TD
1
0
0
0
0
0
TOTAL
14
8
6
6
6
6
6
4
4
4
4
3
3
2
Player
Green, Clark
Randle, John
Barmann, Adam
Cornish, Jon
Mills, Derick
RUSHING
Att
Yds
12
64
5
51
15
45
1
3
1
-10
TD
0
0
1
0
0
Player
Barmann, Adam
Green, Clark
PASSING
A-C-I Yds
37-25-1 294
1-1-0
34
TD
4
0
Player
Gordon, Charles
Randle, John
Rideau, Brandon
Anderson, Lyone
Simmons, Mark
Green, Clark
RECEIVING
Rec
Yds
9
89
5
64
5
40
3
42
2
47
2
46
TD
0
1
2
0
0
1
TACKLES
Player
SOLO AST.
7 Reid, Nick
1
12
11 Lamb, Jonathan 4
5
9 Stubbs, Tony
2
7
1 Toomey, Gabe
2
6
26 Amadi, Donnie
3
4
5 Floodman, Banks .
7
22 Simmons, Shelto 4
2
92 McMillan, David 2
4
17 Amadi, Ronnie
4
1
28 Coke, Dan
2
3
90 Allen, Tim
.
4
44 Curry, Reggie
.
4
8 Johnson, Remuis 3
.
40 McCraken, Clark 2
1
99 Kipp, Cory
.
3
59 Perkins, Brando .
3
THEY SAID IT
TOTAL
13
9
9
8
7
7
6
6
5
5
4
4
3
3
3
3
Notables and quotables
from the game
"Today we came out and made a lot of big plays. The last good job of executing them. We definitely spread the ball
around quite a bit."
couple of weeks we were kind of struggling.
Aggie Wide Receiver Tim Van Zant
I thought the coaches called some great plays and we did a
Ags Illustrated
Page 7
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QUESTIONS
4
Scott
Clendenin
answers
four key
questions
after the
game.
Oklahoma State Game
Playing a fired up Kansas team that was
looking to clinch a bowl berth for the first
time in Big 12 play, the Aggie defense had
to withstand an outstanding performance
by a true freshman that gave up his redshirt
to lead his team in Kyle Field. The Kansas
offense had been led by the nation’s #2
passer in Bill Whittmore, but the Jayhawks
did not miss a beat with the new quarterback on the field, a testament to the offensive system installed by Mark Mangino
since arriving from Oklahoma.
1
What changed between the Aggie
offense the past couple of games and
this game against Kansas?
Well Kansas is not as good defensively as
Nebraska and just about the same type team
as Oklahoma State. The difference seemed to
be in Reggie McNeal this week. He battled
through some injuries against the Jayhawks
but set the tone for the offensive production
again this week. He played with the spark
that was missing last week and had 71 yards
rushing and a touchdown on only 12 carries.
Through the air he completed 11-of-18 for 259
yards and a touchdown while avoiding the
turnovers that hurt his confidence the last two
games.
2
How did the Kansas offense accumulate 481 yards against the Aggies?
They emulated the same kind of attack that
the Aggies faced in Texas Tech, but the
Jayhawks do not yet have the firepower that the
Red Raiders have shown this season. They
used many of the same plays but the difference
in this game was the turnovers caused by the
Aggies. Against Texas Tech, the pressure never
came and the Red Raiders were able to throw
the ball down the field. Kansas did benefit
from two fourth down attempts that picked up
big yardage and a couple of breakdowns in the
secondary led to long touchdown passes. OU
will run a similar offense next week.
Photo by J. P. Beato
Reggie McNeal’s mobility should give opposing defenses trouble this month.
3
Is Tim Van Zant the best walk-on
receiver to suit up for the Aggies in the
past 15 years?
His numbers may not surpass the season that
Gary Oliver had in 1990 when he led the Aggies
with 28 catches for 485 yards and three touchdowns, but with the injury to Jamaar Taylor,
Van Zant is just as important than Oliver was
that season. A&M must force defenses to respect
another receiver besides Terrence Murphy if the
Aggie hope to have a chance to go bowling this
season. In the two games against Virginia Tech
and Kansas where he has earned over 100 yards
receiving, he has benefitted from coverages that
were looking to key on other Aggie weapons.
Van Zant is very good, but he still trails Oliver
as a former walk-on.
Ags Illustrated
Page 8
4
Which of the remaining three teams
on the Aggie schedule can the team
beat to earn a bowl bid?
Oklahoma is even better than the team they
brought to Kyle Field last season. A&M will
have to play a better game than they played last
year and hope that Oklahoma is off for the
Aggies to pull out a victory. The Aggies know
they can play with Missouri, a team that lost to
Kansas, and with Texas, a team that has had
trouble with offenses that can show a balanced
attack. The best chance for the Aggies happens
to be on the road at Missouri and at home
against the ‘Horns. Both teams are in the top 25
so they are by no means easy games, but neither
team could match the Sooners on the field so
they are the Ags’ only hope.
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✓
Aggies Report Card
QUARTERBACKS
A
Reggie McNeal limped off the
field at halftime but showed no ill
effects from the injuries he suffered
during the first half against Kansas.
He ended up passing for 259 yards
and a touchdown. He also had 71
yards rushing and a score while
only being sacked once. Dustin
Long conpleted 4-of-5 passes for 35
yards, his only incompletion was
on a tipped ball down the field that
should have been caught by the
Aggies for a big gain.
SECONDARY
C
The top four tacklers for the
Aggies against the Jayhawks were
three starting members of the secondary and the nickleback. Ron
Jones was a team captain for the
game and also led the team with 14
tackles. Jaxson Appel had the
biggest plays of the ballgame – a
fumble return for a touchdown on
the first play of the second half and
an interception late that sealed the
ballgame in the Aggies’ favor.
Byron Jones had six tackles as well.
RUNNING BACKS
by Scott Clendenin
B+
Courtney Lewis and Derek Farmer
ran hard all day long and that eventually wore down the Kansas
Jayhawk defense. Lewis used his
speed to sprint past the KU defense
for big plays on the draw. The Aggie
offense went into the game wanting
to establish a power rushing attack
against Kansas and with the hard
running by the two Aggie tailbacks,
that mission was accomplished.
Farmer’s second effort touchdown
was his first of the season.
LINEBACKERS
RECEIVERS
Tim Van Zant’s big game was just
what the Aggies needed. His 37yard touchdown reception really
opened up the ballgame. He ended
up with five recptions for 105 yards
and that touchdown. Terrence
Murphy became the first Aggie junior to eclipse 100 receptions and his
three receptions accounted for 72
yards. Earvin Taylor had his best
day as an Aggie with three catches
for for 61 yards including a key 3rd
down catch.
C-
The linebackers were spearheaded by Archie McDaniel as the team
showed improvement since the last
time they faced a wide-open spread
offense. They still need to inprove
their tackling as several big plays
were lost to missed tackles. Kansas
had some succeses with the same
running play, the shotgun draw
handoff, that Utah and Virginia
Tech utilized to amass big rushing
yards following the injury to Jared
Morris.
B-
DEFENSIVE LINE
B-
The defensive line had the best
day of any of the Aggie defensive
units. They constantly moved up
field and pressured the quarterback. David Ross and Johnny Jolly
had six tackles. Linnis Smith, Mike
Montgomery and Marcus Jasmin
had four tackles and Montgomery
had one of the Aggies’ two sacks.
The rotation included a fine play by
Bryce Reed who’s hard charge up
the field forced Kansas to throw the
ball away, a near sack as well.
Ags Illustrated
Page 9
OFFENSIVE LINE
B-
The Aggies had some breakdowns
against Oklahoma State but the
offensive line performed much better against Kansas. The rushing
attack once again topped the 200yard barrier on the ground. They
also only allowed one sack this week
and Reggie McNeal played well
behind their push. The Aggies only
lost 14 yards in rushing the ball and
eight of those were on a fumbled
reverse by Terrrence Murphy that
had nothing to do with the line.
SPECIAL TEAMS
C
The Aggie kicking game had three
breakdowns, a blocked field goal
and a missed field goal by Todd
Pegram and a long kickoff return
that allowed a touchdown drive to
start in Aggie territory with the
Aggies up 45-26. Terrence Murphy
had a 45-yard return and Tim Van
Zant’s punt returns kept the ball off
the turf and saved the Aggies more
hidden yardage than the 18 yards in
returns that he picked up.
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Editorial
Will they Remember November
Aggies face tough
stretch against top
competition
by Scott Clendenin
With Godzilla, I mean Oklahoma right around
the corner, the Aggies had to take care of business against one of the most improved teams in
the Big 12 in the Kansas Jayhawks. They feature a very similar offense to the Texas Tech Red
Raiders, and the Jayhawk system had the #3
passing quarterback in terms of efficiency in Bill
Whittmore on the sidelines after suffering an
injury against Kansas State last week. The ageold debate of talent versus system comes into
question with Kansas after the fine performance
of true freshman Adam Barmann.
The Aggie coaches once again saw first hand
how the Aggie crowd reacts to fine defensive
plays with the tremendous boost in energy the
team received after cheering Jaxson Appel’s
fumble recovery and return for a touchdown.
Aggie football fans live for the big sack, the tide
turning interception or a fumble returned for a
touchdown. The level of play by the defense at
home this season has been more than disheartening, it has sapped the energy out of the Aggie
crowd. It all returned in the third quarter
against the Jayhawks when the Aggie defenders
pressure and play not only won the game for
the Aggies, but they also won back the crowd.
I am bringing a recruiting piece out of the
mothballs this week. I wrote that Jaxson Appel
was the most important defensive recruit that
season. Even though he was spending a majority of his time playing running back for the
Friendswood Mustangs, Appel’s desire and
defensive ability was already a key for the
Aggie future. This year it has all come together
and he is the lifeblood and last line of defense
for the 2003 Aggie defense.
Even with the breakdowns in the fourth quarter that led to yards and points for the
Jayhawks, the Aggie defense separated themselves from the opponent in the second half and
Photo by JP Beato
Keith Joseph put the Aggies on top 7-0.
gave the Aggie offense a chance to win the ballgame. After scoring on the first play, the Aggies
went on to score 17 more points and take control of the game during that third period.
Kansas was a dangerous team and a team good
enough to beat Missouri this season. They did
it by moving the ball up and down the field and
controlling the time of possession enough to
keep dangerous Brad Smith off the field. That
will be the plan for the Aggies when they travel
to Missouri after taking on Oklahoma.
This Oklahoma team may be the best team the
Aggies have ever lined up against, surpassing
the 1983 Texas Longhorn team that was chock
full of NFL draft picks. That Longhorn team
turned a close game into a blowout during a 280 second quarter that ended up a 45-13 victory
for the Longhorns. This Sooner team could
Ags Illustrated
Page 10
rival those ‘Horns in terms of draft picks, and
final destination as well. Texas played for the
national championship that would have eventually saved Fred Akers’ job, but his loss in the
Cotton Bowl on a fumbled punt return was held
against him until he was fired following the
1986 season. Stoops has this Oklahoma team on
a roll that should end up in the national championship game, but the upsets that have marked
college football this season give the Aggies a
chance. The Aggies have as much chance to
beat Oklahoma as West Virginia had to beat
Virginia Tech this year, they have as much
chance to beat Oklahoma as California had to
beat Southern Cal. Those two teams were beaten by good teams that have had their problems,
but are talented enough to beat the best in the
country. The formula is simple but very hard to
accomplish. Reggie McNeal and Courtney
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Lewis must provide enough rushing attack to
keep that defensive front from disrupting the
Aggie offense without help from the linebacking
corps. Last year the Aggies threw the ball down
the field, but this year the OU secondary is not
jumping the routes and opening up the deep
passes that allows an offense to take advantage
of their aggressiveness. You need to keep the
Aggie offense on the field, keep the OU offense
off the field. Keep the rushing attack from
pulling too many defenders away from pass
coverage and put pressure on Jason White and
take advantage of his limited rushing ability following the two knee surgeries. A simple plan
that no one has been able to accomplish but
amazingly enough, Colorado was the one team
that has been able to keep the gameplan long
enough to make the ballgame in doubt during
the fourth quarter. The Aggies also benefit from
the match-up last year between Alabama and
Oklahoma, these coaches know first hand what
it will take to beat the Sooners.
Alabama lost last year after battling back to
&
NEWS
NOTES
from the game
MURPHY MOVES UP RECEIVING
CHARTS: Junior Terrence Murphy became
the fifth Aggie receiver and the first junior
to reach 100 career receptions with three
catches for 72 yards against Kansas.
Murphy's career statistics stand at 100
receptions (No. 5 in school history) for
1,476 yards (No. 5 on the A&M chart). He
passes Albert Connell (98 catches) on the
career receptions list and jumped Shea
Walker (1,411) on the career receiving yards
list today. Bethel Johnson (1999-02) owns
the school records for receptions (117) and
receiving yards (1,740).
APPEL REACHES 100 TACKLES:
Sophomore safety Jaxson Appel has eight
tackles today to became the third Aggie
defensive back with 100 tackles in a single
season with 103. He joins Larry Horton,
who did it twice (1989 and 1990) and Carl
Grulich, who did it in 1977. Appel is averFind this and other info on www.agtimes.com
take a late lead, but two straight screen passes
gave up the lead in a 70+ yard scoring drive
that gave game back to the Sooners. Coach
Fran pulled out all the stops with his bag of
tricks, and watching that ballgame you could
see it as the turning point last year. Those players at Alabama saw the coaching and enthusiasm of the coaching staff could do well against
the best team in the country on the road. It set
the stage for the Alabama season that followed
as the players knew their coaching staff could
match up against the best in the country and
not only give them a chance to win, but also to
out-coach a more talented team. It is hard to
talk about moral victories, but watching the
looks on the sideline from those players and the
now new Aggie coaches had the look of a team
on the way up. The Aggie players need to capture some of the same magic this weekend
against an even better OU team. They can win
games during the rest of the season and go
bowling, but belief is just as important as skill
and talent when you are hurting at the end of
aging 11.4 per game, which puts him on
pace to break Grulich's DB school record of
132 tackles.
LEWIS CLIMBS FRESHMAN CHARTS:
Redshirt freshman Courtney Lewis scored
his 11th rushing touchdown of the season
against Kansas to take sole possession of
No. 2 on A&M's freshman rushing TD list.
Lewis, from Houston Madison High
School, trails Greg Hill's 12 TDs in 1991on
the list. Lewis finished the day with 120
rushing yards on 26 carries, his fifth 100yard game of the season and his second
straight. For the season, Lewis has rushed
for 868 yards (144 carries) and is bidding to
become A&M's first 1,000-yard rusher since
Dante Hall in 1998 (1,024). Lewis ranks second on A&M's freshman rushing chart
behind Greg Hill (1,216 in 1991).
MCNEAL POSTS CAREER-HIGHS IN
PASSING, TOTAL OFFENSE: Sophomore
quarterback Reggie McNeal passed for a
career-high 259 yards today, completing 11of-18 passes with one touchdown. McNeal
also rushed for 71 yards and one score on
12 carries, giving him a career-high 330
yards of total offense, tying him for the
ninth-most in school history (Randy
McCown, 10 rush/320 pass vs. Tulsa,
1999). Today marks the 18th time in school
history a player has reached 300 yards of
Ags Illustrated
Page 11
the season. The Aggie defense is much
maligned, but what they can accomplish together with self belief and desire can overcome the
doubts of those that surround the program, not
that the defense is giving up 400 yards a game,
not that they have given up more points than
any Aggie team in generations.
The Aggie offense has also shown that when
they put the ball in the endzone, they can play
with anyone. The offense has moved the ball
up and down the field, but the redzone has
been as much a brick wall for tough losses
against Nebraska and Oklahoma State. That
doesn’t mean that having trouble against the
Sooners would be any different than the other
teams that have lined up against Oklahoma, but
the Aggies do not need any hangover from their
game against OU and no matter what happens
this week, the season is still under the control of
the Aggies as they try and win the two games
necessary to go bowling.
total offense and McNeal is the ninth Aggie
to surpass the mark. McNeal is only the
second player in school history to rush for
at least 50 yards and reach 300 yards of
total offense, joining Bucky Richardson
(120 rush/231 pass/351 total).
BALANCED ATTACK MAINTAINS
200/200 PACE: The Aggie offense continued its 200/200 rush-pass balance by rushing for 253 yards and passing for 294 today
against Kansas. Coming into today's game,
A&M and Oklahoma State were the only
teams in the Big 12 Conference averaging
more than 200 yards rushing and passing.
The Aggies finished today with 547 total
offensive yards, their second-most of the
season behind their 669 yards against
Baylor.
FIRSTS: Junior running back Derek
Farmer's third-quarter touchdown was his
first of the season. … Sophomore safety
Jaxson Appel's 5-yard fumble return for a
touchdown was the first by the Aggies
since Byron Jones returned one 66 yards to
paydirt against Nebraska in 2002. … The
Aggies scored on their first possession of
the game for the second time this season.
The other time was against Baylor. Kansas
also scored on its first possession, marking
the fourth time an A&M opponent has
scored on its initial possession.
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Above: Reggie McNeal was too tough to stop.
Above Right: He also tumbled in for a touchdown.
Right:: Even sure-handed Tim Van Zant misses a pass
Below: QB Adam Barmann did not play like a fish
Opposite page: Brandon Rideau goes in for KU,
Coach Fran checks his play sheet and Courtney Lewis
scores another TD.
photos by J. P. Beato
Ags Illustrated
Page 12
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Ags Illustrated
Page 13
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Scouting
OKLAHOMA
3 Keys
Depth Chart Notes
to the Oklahoma Game
by Scott Clendenin
The Aggies face their toughest road game ever,
traveling to Norman, Oklahoma to take on the
number one Sooners. Even with a national
championship in his second season, that Sooner
team could not compete with this club in the
overall ability on both sides of the football. The
Sooners snuck up on the nation with the spread
offense and before defenses could adapt, they
had run the table to the national championship.
It all starts with their head coach and a staff that
has one the most valuable of traits, ultimate confidence. They should have that confidence as
they continue a run at another national championship.
It all starts with Bob Stoops, now in his fifth
season with the Sooners, is 52-9 overall. He is 31 in bowls, 3-0 in January bowls, 2-0 in BCS
games, 31-7 vs. the Big 12, 17-5 vs. the Big 12
South, 14-2 vs. the Big 12 North, 2-0 in the Big 12
Championship game, 21-2 vs. nonconference
foes, 28-1 at home, 15-6 on the road, 9-2 on neutral fields, 18-2 against ranked foes and 3-1 vs.
Texas A&M.
Since going 7-5 during their first season in
Norman, Stoops’ troops have gone 45-4 and their
only losses have been at Nebraska, twice to
Oklahoma State and in Aggieland last season.
Their only loss at home was two seasons ago
against Oklahoma State in the most shocking
defeat since the tremendous run started during
the 2000 season. Their only loss to a ranked team
was that ballgame in Lincoln against a top five
Nebraska team, so unranked teams have been
able to sneak up on the Sooners.
Stoops sometimes plays the riverboat gambler
with fake and trick plays, but with a team as talented as Oklahoma has this season, it might be
Coach Fran and the Aggies that pull a trick or
two out the bag to give the Aggies an edge
against a team with more talent across the board
than almost any team in college football this season. The only disadvantage to that would be the
ability to make you pay if you make a mistake.
1
How does this team rank among the
five that Stoops has had at Oklahoma?
Even though their second season produced a
national championship, most think that last season’s
team was the best team of the Bob Stoops era. The
shocking losses to A&M and Oklahoma State took
some of the aura away from last year’s squad and
with the emergence of this year’s dominating team.
With the return of Jason White, the Sooners have their
team leader back under center at quarterback. White
has the intangibles that make him a great player
despite having two knee surgeries in two straight seasons. With White at quarterback, this is the best team
of the Bob Stoops era at Oklahoma.
2
How have the Sooners faired as the
number one team in the country?
The Sooners are 67-6-0 when carrying the No. 1
ranking. The Associated Press college football poll
debuted in 1936. Since that time, no team has spent
more time in the No. 1 position than Notre Dame with
95 weeks. Oklahoma is second on the list and closing.
Including this week’s poll, OU has been the No. 1
team in 89 weeks. Ohio State is next at 73, followed by
Miami at 68 and Florida State at 60. This is the 17th
week that Oklahoma has held AP’s No. 1 spot since
Bob Stoops arrived. Oklahoma has been ranked
among the AP’s top 10 in every week but one since
Oct. 6, 2000.
3
How has the defense improved so
much for the Sooners and what
will the Aggies need to watch?
They improved by rushing the quarterbacks, last
year’s team had 37 sacks through 14 games. The
2003 Sooners have 35 sacks in nine games. Last
year’s team had 111 QB hurries (not an official
NCAA stat) or 7.9 per game. This year’s team
already has 100, which is 12.5 per game. The defensive line (two ends and two tackles) already owns
29 sacks this season. Last year, those same positions
accounted for just 19 through the entire 14-game
schedule. This team has a shot at the school record
for sacks in a season. The 1997 club owns that distinction with 41. The ‘97 team played 12 games.
Ags Illustrated
2002 Record: 11-2 (6-2)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-3
Coach: Bob Stoops
Conference: Big 12
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Page 14
The Aggies
escaped any serious
injuries last week
against the Kansas
Jayhawks. Reggie
McNeal seemed to
have a leg problem
but his second half
performance put any
questions to rest
about his availability
to play against
Oklahoma next
week.
Thomas Carriger
was another player
dinged up against
Kansas in the first
half, but he returned
Oklahoma
in the second half
and showed no ill
effects. His ability to
block should help
and he has moved
back up the depth
chart after missing
the spring.
The defense will
be tested this next
week against the
Sooners and the
return of TaTa
Thompson at linebacker helps not
only the depth of the
defense but also the
talent level improves
as well.
Depth Chart
Texas
A&M
WR 9 Mark Clayton 5-11 187 Jr.-2L
4 Travis Wilson 6-3 216 So.-1L
LT 60 Wes Sims 6-5 317 Jr.-2L
79 Chris Messner 6-7 270 Fr.-RS
LG 70 Kelvin Chaisson 6-5 303 So.-1L
52 Chris Bush 6-4 282 So.-1L
C 50 Vince Carter 6-3 289 Jr.-2L
52 Chris Bush 6-4 282 So.-1L
RG 77 Davin Joseph 6-4 312 So.-1L
73 John Flynn 6-1 242 Jr.-Sq
RT 55 Jammal Brown 6-6 313 Jr-2L
69 Akim Millington 6-6 300 Fr.-HS
TE 86 Lance Donley 6-4 226 Sr.-3L
89 James Moses 6-3 246 Jr.-1L
WR 3 Jejuan Rankins 5-11 172 So.-1L
29 Will Peoples 6-1 191 Jr.-2L
WR 81 Brandon Jones 6-2 203 Jr.-2L
1 Mark Bradley 6-2 190 Jr.-Sq.
QB 18 Jason White 6-3 221 Sr.-3L
12 Paul Thompson 6-4 201 So.-1L
RB 47 Renaldo Works 6-1 220 Sr.-3L
20 Kejuan Jones 5-9 187 So.-1L
DE 99 David Ross 6-2 268 So-1L
95 Mike Montgomery 6-5 275 Jr-TR
DT 97 Johnny Jolly 6-3 287 So-1L
93 Ju Parks 6-1 356 Fr-RS
DT 59 Brian Patrick 6-5 293 So-1L
or 91 Marcus Jasmin 6-5 318 Jr-2L
DE 88 Linnis Smith 6-4 288 Sr-3L
98 Marques Thorton 6-2 275 Fr-RS
SLB 41 Arch. McDaniel 6-1 227 So-1L
58 Blake Kendrick 6-1 225 Jr-2L
MLB 97 Scott Stickane 6-0 234 Sr-3L
44 Ta Ta Thompson 6-4 236 Fr-HS
ROV 49 Nur. Manning 6-2 230 So-SQ
42 Everett Smith 6-2 229 Sr-3L
LCB 31 Sean Weston 5-10 180 Sr-3L
26 Jonte Buhl 5-10 171 Jr-2L
RCB 11 Byron Jones 5-10 178 Jr-2L
6 Bryant Singleton 5-11 187 So-1L
SS 23 Ronald Jones 5-10 179 So-1L
33 Keelan Jackson 6-1 219 Jr-2L
FS 19 Jaxson Appel 5-10 196 So-1L
40 Kevin Mangum 5-11 191 Jr-2L
P 20 Cody Scates 6-1 205 Sr-3L
30 Jacob Young 6-0 196 Jr-SQ
DE 49 Jon Jackson 6-3 235 Jr.-2L
92 Larry Birdine 6-4 254 Fr.-RS
DT 97 Tommie Harris 6-3 289 Jr.-2L
93 Kory Klein 6-2 281 Sr.-3L
DT 94 Dusty Dvoracek 6-3 282 Jr.-2L
96 Lynn McGruder 6-3 290 Jr.-1L
DE 80 Dan Cody 6-5 270 Jr.-2L
58 Calvin Thibodeaux 6-1 248 So.-Sq
LB 11 Teddy Lehman 6-2 243 Sr.-3L
48 Gayron Allen 5-10 220 Jr.-2L
LB 15 Wayne Chambers 6-3 225 So
48 Gayron Allen 5-10 220 Jr.-2L
LB 36 Russell Dennison 6-3 240 So.
46 Zach Latimer 6-3 215 Fr.-RS
CB 28 Antonio Perkins 6-0 188 Jr.-2L
13 Eric Bassey 6-1 197 So.-1L
FS 7 Brandon Everage 6-0 202 Sr.-3L
23 Brodney Pool 6-3 198 So-1L
SS 8 Donte Nicholson 6-2 210 Jr.-TR
34 Matt McCoy 5-11 201 Sr.-3L
CB 2 Derrick Strait 5-11 195 Sr.-3L
21 Jowahn Poteat 6-1 191 So.-1L
K 83 Trey DiCarlo 6-0 180 So.-1L
P 87 Blake Ferguson 6-0 190 Jr-1L
WR 5 Terrence Murphy 6-1 191 Jr-2L
9 Earvin Taylor 6-3 217 Fr-HS
ST 73 Alan Reuber 6-7 310 Sr-3L
70 Cody Wallace 6-5, 282 Fr-HS
SG 76 A. De La Garza 6-3 317 So-1L
64 Kirk Elder 6-4 307 Fr-HS
C 66 Geoff Hangartner 6-5 300 Jr-1L
54 James Milkavich 6-2 274 Sr-SQ
QG 50 John Kirk 6-4 295 Sr-3L
71 Quentin Holman 6-2 349 So-SQ
QT 67 Alex Kotzur 6-4 284 Fr-RS
74 Dominique Steamer 6-5 310 So-SQ
TE 85 Taylor Schuster 6-5 260 Fr-RS
82 Patrick Fleming 6-5 271 So-1L
SLT 3 Terrence Thomas 5-9 180 Jr-2L
80 L’Tydrick Riley 6-2 223 So-1L
FLK 83 Tim Van Zant 6-1 195 Sr-2L
7 Jason Carter 6-0 197 Jr-1L
QB 16 Reggie McNeal 6-2 191 So-1L
17 Dustin Long 6-3 205 Jr-1L
A 7 Jason Carter 6-0 197 Jr-1L
30 Nick Rhodes 6-0 202 Fr-HS
FB 34 Keith Joseph 6-2 241 Jr-2L
24 Chris Alexander 5-11, 242, Fr-HS
TB 1 Derek Farmer 5-11 202 Jr-2L
25 Courtney Lewis 5-10 187 Fr-RS
K Todd Pegram 5-11 201 So-1L
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Game 10
Texas A&M vs. Oklahoma
at Memorial St. • TV: ABC • Kickoff: 11:00 cst
Overview
After topping Oklahoma State, the
only thing that stands between OU
and a Big 12 Title is an upset that
would shock the college football fan
nationwide
EDGE: OKLAHOMA
Keep An Eye On
By The Numbers
Texas A&M
Offense Rank
Offense
Oklahoma may not have the rushing Total
attack they featured last season, but
Jason White has become the best
quarterback the Sooners have ever Rushing
had during this season.
EDGE: OKLAHOMA
Passing
33
Passing
YPG
Offense Rank
YPG
423.0
Total
458.3
15
16
208.4
Rushing
54
160.3
63
214.6
Passing
14
298.0
YPG
Defense Rank
YPG
399.8
Total
1
245.3
178.2
Rushing
18
100.9
148.2
Passing
2
87.2
Defense
The Sooners have the best defense in Defense Rank
the country. They can shut down the
best offenses in the country and their Total
81
pass defense is boosted by a defensive
line that eats up quarterbacks.
Rushing
86
EDGE: OKLAHOMA
Special Teams
OU has a great kicker and a great
punt returner in Trey DiCarlo and
Antonio Perkins. They haven’t had
to punt enough for their punter to
even rank among the NCAA stats.
EDGE: OKLAHOMA
Oklahoma
106
* Ratings are final for the regular season. Pass defense rated by efficiency.
Five To Consider
Coaching
Bob Stoops and his coaching staff are 1.
the best in the country in big games.
The only struggle they have had the
past three seasons has been against 2.
unranked teams.
EDGE: OKLAHOMA
3.
Intangibles
After beating the #1 Sooners last
4.
year, the Aggies know what it takes
to win, but they will also not sneak
up on the Sooners. A&M must play
5.
a perfect game to win.
EDGE: OKLAHOMA
Will the Aggies pick up their first ever victory over
a top five team on the road?
Will the Sooners look past the Aggies or will they
stay focused on the game?
QB Jason White
White is making a run
at the Heisman
Trophy despite none
of the numbers that
break records. All he
does is lead his team
to victories.
WR Mark Clayton
Losing some of the
best wide receivers the
program has ever had
last year opened the
door for Clayton to
assume the leadership
role at wideout.
LB Teddy Lehman
Injuries have depleted
the OU linebacking
corps, but Lehman
continues to wreak
havoc on opposing
offenses week after
week.
DB Derrick Strait
Teams have rarely
thrown his way but
Strait, a Jim Thorpe
nominee, has the all
around game to be an
early draft pick by the
NFL next season.
How will the Aggie defense solve the best offense in DB Brandon Everage
Despite being plagued
the conference?
Will Reggie McNeal be able to duplicate the magic
that led to the upset last season?
If the Sooners win the national championship this
season, will they clean up in recruiting?
Ags Illustrated
Page 15
by off the field troubles this season,
Everage has continued
to captain the defensive secondary that is
the best in football.
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
1
2
3
3
4
5
5
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7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
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17
18
18
19
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20
20
21
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23
24
24
25
26
27
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29
30
31
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
39
40
40
41
41
42
43
Mark Bradley
Derrick Strait
Aaron Miller
Jejuan Rankins
Travis Wilson
DaBryan Blanton
Brandon Shelby
Jason Carter
Brandon Everage
Donte Nicholson
Mark Clayton
Lance Mitchell
Teddy Lehman
Paul Thompson
Eric Bassey
Tommy Grady
Wayne Chambers
Brent Rawls
Noah Allen
Lewis Baker
Marcus Johnson
Cody Freeby
Jason White
Tristen Ross
M. Thompson
Kejuan Jones
Russell Munson
Jowahn Poteat
Jacob Guiterrez
Brodney Pool
Tashard Choice
Rich Richardson
Darren Stephens
Ataleo Ford
Ntuna Ekuri
Jacob Luna
Antonio Perkins
Will Peoples
Courtney Tennial
Tony Cade
Larry Pinson
Sadiki Wilson
Jerad Estus
Matt McCoy
Donta Hickson
Russell Dennison
Richard Allen
J.D. Runnels
Kwado Agypong
Dan Townsend
Greg Hopkins
Dane Zaslaw
Matt Fanuzzi
Darien Williams
Rufus Alexander
Steven Sarubbi
DB
DB
DB
WR
WR
WR
DB
DB
DB
DB
WR
LB
LB
QB
DB
QB
LB
QB
QB
LB
WR
P
QB
WR
DB
RB
S
DB
RB
S
RB
DB
DB
WR
RB
DB
DB
WR
RB
DB
RB
WR
RB
DB
RB
LB
DB
RB
RB
RB
WR
LB
K
DB
LB
K
6-2
5-11
6-1
5-11
6-3
5-11
5-11
6-0
6-0
6-2
5-11
6-3
6-2
6-4
6-1
6-6
6-3
6-5
6-3
6-3
6-1
6-3
6-3
6-1
6-1
5-9
6-0
6-1
5-7
6-3
6-0
5-11
6-3
6-1
6-0
5-11
6-0
6-1
5-10
6-2
6-2
6-0
6-1
5-11
5-10
6-3
6-1
6-1
6-0
6-0
6-1
6-2
5-11
6-0
6-1
6-3
190
195
188
172
216
170
185
187
202
210
187
247
243
201
190
220
232
205
219
200
175
210
221
190
196
187
200
191
175
198
200
200
183
186
187
200
188
191
205
200
225
215
186
201
194
240
190
246
235
220
185
241
187
190
210
190
Jr.
Sr.
Fr.
So.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
Fr.
Sr.
Jr.
Jr.
Sr.
Sr.
So.
So.
Fr.
So.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
Fr.
Sr.
So.
So.
So.
Fr.
So.
Fr.
So.
Jr.
Jr.
So.
So.
Jr.
Jr.
Fr.
Fr.
Jr.
Jr.
Sr.
Sr.
So.
So.
So.
So.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
Pine Bluff, AR
Austin, TX
Fresno, CA
Windsor, NC
Carrollton, TX
Forney, TX
Kansas City, MO
Tulsa, OK
Granger, TX
Los Angeles, CA
Oklahoma City, OK
Los Banos, CA
Fort Gibson, OK
Leander, TX
Garland, TX
Huntington Bch, CA
Grandview, MO
Shreveport, LA
Pearland, TX
Lewisville, TX
Abilene, TX
Forth Worth, TX
Tuttle, OK
Shreveport, LA
Sapulpa, OK
Jenks, OK
Ft. Gibson, OK
Ardmore, OK
San Antonio, TX
Houston, TX
Lovejoy, GA
Oklahoma City, OK
Lewisville, TX
Ardmore, OK
Marshall, TX
Grapevine, TX
Lawton, OK
Humble, TX
Glenpool, OK
Lewisville, TX
Eagan, MN
Silver Springs, MD
Wichita Falls, TX
Jenks, OK
McKinney, TX
Weatherford, OK
Channelview, TX
Midwest City, OK
El Reno, OK
Sulphur, OK
Edmond, OK
Edmond, OK
San Antonio, TX
Mesquite, TX
Baton Rouge, LA
Santa Maria, CA
44
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
55
56
57
58
59
60
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
74
75
76
77
79
80
80
81
82
83
84
84
85
86
87
88
89
89
90
91
92
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
Clint Ingram
LB
Zach Latimer
DE
Renaldo Works RB
Gayron Allen
LB
Jonathan Jackson DE
Vince Carter
OL
Demario Pleasant LB
Chris Bush
OL
Pasha Jackson
LB
Jammal Brown OL
Paddyson Chidi LB
Smokey Hurst
LB
Calvin Thibodeaux DE
Brett Rayl
OL
Wes Sims
OL
Brian Zimpel
OL
Adam Panter
OL
Abner Estrada
OL
Jarrod Barclay
OL
Michael Hallock OL
Carl Pendleton
DL
Akim Millington DL
Kelvin Chaisson OL
Jerod Fields
OL
Randy Garibay OL
John Flynn
OL
Moe Dampeer
DL
David Walker
OL
Antonn Reid
OL
Steve Taylor
OL
Davin Joseph
OL
Chris Messner
OL
Dan Cody
DE
Pete Cuva
K
Brandon Jones
WR
Laenar Nixon
DE
Trey DiCarlo
K
Chris Chester
TE
Sam Sacheck
DE
Joe John Finley TE
Lance Donley
TE
Blake Ferguson P
Willie Roberts
TE
James Moses
TE
Blake Nichols
DE
Steven Coleman DL
Alonzo Dotson DE
Larry Birdine
DE
Jacob Hager
DL
Kory Klein
DT
Dusty Dvoracek DL
Grant Hulsey
DE
Lynn McGruder DT
Tommie Harris DL
John Williams
DE
David Jones
DE
6-2
6-3
6-1
5-10
6-3
6-3
6-3
6-4
6-3
6-6
6-2
6-1
6-1
6-7
6-5
6-5
6-1
6-3
6-4
6-2
6-6
6-6
6-5
6-7
6-2
6-1
6-3
6-3
6-3
6-7
6-4
6-7
6-5
6-0
6-3
6-3
6-0
6-4
6-6
6-6
6-4
6-0
6-7
6-3
6-3
6-5
6-4
6-4
6-5
6-2
6-3
6-5
6-3
6-3
6-5
6-2
230
215
220
220
238
289
210
282
240
313
230
244
248
302
317
315
249
275
280
220
277
300
303
302
220
242
280
289
280
299
312
270
270
184
208
223
180
249
240
219
226
190
240
246
252
275
215
254
260
281
282
245
290
289
220
250
So.
Fr.
Sr.
Jr.
Jr.
Jr.
Fr.
So.
Sr.
Jr.
So.
Sr.
So.
So.
Jr.
Fr.
Sr.
So.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
So.
Jr.
So.
Jr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
So.
Jr.
Fr.
So.
So.
Sr.
Fr.
Sr.
Jr.
So.
Jr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
So.
Sr.
Jr.
Jr.
Jr.
Jr.
Fr.
Sr.
Hallsville, TX
Denver, CO
Tulsa, OK
Orange, TX
Houston, TX
Bryan, TX
Lewisville, TX
Channelview, TX
Hayward, CA
Lawton, OK
Edmond, OK
Tulsa, OK
Houston, TX
Lewisville, TX
Weatherford, OK
Broken Arrow, OK
Stilwell, OK
Carrollton, TX
Denton, TX
Plano, TX
Sapulpa, OK
Wheaton, IL
Beaumont, TX
Bandera, TX
Lawton, OK
Anadarko, OK
Decatur, IL
Ft. Gibson, OK
Plano, TX
Purcell, OK
Hallandale, FL
Frederick, OK
Ada, OK
Dallas, TX
Texarkana, TX
Miami, FL
Carrollton, TX
Tustin, CA
Peoria, IL
Arlington, TX
Weatherford, OK
Broken Arrow, OK
Miami, FL
Houston, TX
Forgan, OK
Dallas, TX
Alief, TX
Lawton, OK
Perry, OK
Tulsa, OK
Lake Dallas, TX
Oklahoma City, OK
North Las Vegas, NV
Killeen, TX
Houston, TX
Pauls Valley, OK
Oklahoma
Sooners
Ags Illustrated
Page 16
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Texas A&M Overall Individual Statistics (as of Nov 01, 2003)
All games
Texas A&M Overall Team Statistics (as of Nov 01, 2003)
All games
TEAM STATISTICS
-------------------------------------------------------SCORING.......................
Points Per Game.............
FIRST DOWNS...................
Rushing.....................
Passing.....................
Penalty.....................
RUSHING YARDAGE...............
Yards gained rushing........
Yards lost rushing..........
Rushing Attempts............
Average Per Rush............
Average Per Game............
TDs Rushing.................
PASSING YARDAGE...............
Att-Comp-Int................
Average Per Pass............
Average Per Catch...........
TDs Passing.................
TOTAL OFFENSE.................
Total Plays.................
Average Per Play............
KICK RETURNS: #-YARDS.........
PUNT RETURNS: #-YARDS.........
INT RETURNS: #-YARDS..........
KICK RETURN AVERAGE...........
PUNT RETURN AVERAGE...........
INT RETURN AVERAGE............
FUMBLES-LOST..................
PENALTIES-YARDS...............
PUNTS-YARDS...................
Average Per Punt............
Net punt average............
TIME OF POSSESSION/GAME.......
3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS..........
3rd-Down Pct................
4TH-DOWN CONVERSIONS..........
4th-Down Pct................
SACKS BY-YARDS................
MISC YARDS....................
TOUCHDOWNS SCORED.............
FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS..........
PAT-ATTEMPTS..................
ATTENDANCE....................
Games/Avg Per Game..........
TA
OPP
267
29.7
186
88
79
19
1876
2161
285
367
5.1
208.4
19
1931
236-127-12
8.2
15.2
214.6
11
3807
603
6.3
423.0
29-784
31-192
6-151
27.0
6.2
25.2
25-13
60-462
51.3
36-1429
39.7
37.3
28:11
42/114
37%
6/13
46%
16-99
15
33
13-18
30-32
449609
6/74935
297
33.0
200
107
80
13
1604
1893
289
398
4.0
178.2
15
1994
262-157-6
7.6
12.7
221.6
23
3598
660
5.5
399.8
37-767
16-85
12-113
20.7
5.3
9.4
29-10
63-552
61.3
49-2156
44.0
40.1
31:49
58/136
43%
11/15
73%
19-144
35
41
5-9
34-38
194491
3/64830
SCORE BY QUARTERS
-------------------- --- --- --- --Texas A&M...........
Opponents...........
1st 2nd 3rd 4th
RUSHING
GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
----------------------------------------------------------Lewis, Courtney
9 144 899 31 868 6.0 11 86 96.4
McNeal, Reggie
9 92 495 152 343 3.7 3 33 38.1
Farmer, Derek
9 60 296 14 282 4.7 1 62 31.3
Murphy, Terren.
9 8 163 13 150 18.8 1 80 16.7
Carter, Jason
9 6 121 0 121 20.2 1 40 13.4
Flemming, Osch.
9 15 75 3 72 4.8 0 15 8.0
Joseph, Keith
9 20 60 0 60 3.0 2 9 6.7
Scates, Cody
4 1 15 0 15 15.0 0 15 3.8
Taylor, Jamaar
6 2 13 0 13 6.5 0 11 2.2
Kendrick, Blake
9 1 3 0 3 3.0 0 3 0.3
Perry, Thomas
5 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0
Team
7 4 0 6 -6 -1.5 0 0 -0.9
Long, Dustin
9 13 21 66 -45 -3.5 0 6 -5.0
Total..........
9 367 2161 285 1876 5.1 19 86 208.4
Opponents......
9 398 1893 289 1604 4.0 15 40 178.2
PASSING
GP Effic Att-Cmp-Int Pct Yds TD Lng Avg/G
--------------------------------------------------------------McNeal, Reggie
9 132.95 176-93-6 52.8 1507 8 91 167.4
Long, Dustin
9 114.63 57-33-6 57.9 410 3 42 45.6
Branyon, Ty
1 108.80 2-1-0 50.0 14 0 14 14.0
Team
7 0.00 1-0-0
0.0 0 0 0 0.0
Total..........
9 127.76 236-127-12 53.8 1931 11 91 214.6
Opponents......
9 148.24 262-157-6 59.9 1994 23 67 221.6
Season
Stats
Total
--37 87 58 85 - 267
77 45 92 83 - 297
RECEIVING
GP No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G
------------------------------------------------Murphy, Terren.
9 28 450 16.1 0 56 50.0
Taylor, Jamaar
6 25 456 18.2 4 91 76.0
Van Zant, Tim
9 20 278 13.9 2 37 30.9
Joseph, Keith
9 7 110 15.7 0 34 12.2
Carter, Jason
9 7 94 13.4 0 24 10.4
Lewis, Courtney
9 7 84 12.0 0 33 9.3
Schroeder, Chad
5 6 126 21.0 1 42 25.2
Taylor, Earvin
9 6 86 14.3 0 46 9.6
Thomas, Terren.
9 6 81 13.5 0 26 9.0
Riley, Tydrick
9 5 100 20.0 1 37 11.1
Matakis, Andy
7 3 24 8.0 2 16 3.4
Wright, Anthony
8 3 19 6.3 0 9 2.4
Germany, Quin.
9 2 16 8.0 1 12 1.8
Farmer, Derek
9 2 7 3.5 0 9 0.8
Total..........
9 127 1931 15.2 11 91 214.6
Opponents......
9 157 1994 12.7 23 67 221.6
PUNT RETURNS
--------------------------------------Carter, Jason
Van Zant, Tim
Thomas, Terren.
Roberson, John
Total..........
Opponents......
INTERCEPTIONS
--------------------------------------Appel, Jaxson
Jones, Ronald
Jones, Byron
Total..........
Opponents......
Ags Illustrated
Page 17
No. Yds Avg TD Long
12
11
5
3
31
16
85 7.1 0 18
72 6.5 0 16
31 6.2 0 10
4 1.3 0 10
192 6.2 0 18
85 5.3 0 21
No. Yds Avg TD Long
4 109 27.2 1
1 26 26.0 0
1 16 16.0 0
6 151 25.2 1
12 113 9.4 2
64
26
16
64
27
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Aggie Recruiting
A Look Back at Jaxson Appel
In the recruiting issue we published after
Jaxson Appel’s senior year, Ags Illustrated was
already projecting him to be the key defensive
recruit that year. Now, three years later, this
reprint rings true as the Aggie defense has
struggled, yet Appel works to provide solid
leadership to the unit in his sophomore season.
Defensive back Jaxson Appel is the Aggies’
top defensive recruit this season. Appel has the
ability to contribute on offense, defense and
special teams.
Most importantly for A&M, he will start on
the defensive side of the ball. The Aggies only
have four players that were offered scholarships
to play safety. Against Texas, A&M’s secondary
was devastated by injury, and with the loss of
FS Michael Jameson, the Aggies are focused on
adding talented players to the defensive backfield. Appel and the other defensive back
recruits the Aggies are bringing in will be on the
field quickly. It is very possible that Appel will
see playing time early against the pass-happy
teams that dot the Aggie schedule. He will also
have a chance to return punts and contribute on
kickoffs.
As a senior he rarely left the field while leading the Friendswood Mustangs all the way to
the Class 4A Division II regional semifinals. He
starred at running back, in the secondary and
on special teams for the Mustangs. Friendswood
was a state champion in football during the
early 1970’s, but they have not had much talent
or success as of late. Appel changed all that, and
he was also a consummate team player, directing attention to his teammates all season long.
He was a unanimous offensive and defensive
All-District 23-4A selection, the league’s most
valuable player, and was named honorable
mention Class 4A All-State on both offense and
defense. And recently, he received the Houston
Thunderbear Iron Man Award from the
Houston Touchdown Club as the best two-way
player in the area. His Christmas present was
being named this year’s Galveston Daily News
Player of the Year.
Appel was not one of the most sought after
recruits entering the summer before his senior
season, but he was recruited by some big name
programs. As a junior, 5-6 Friendswood made
the playoffs behind Appel. He rushed 112 times
for 770 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also
Jaxson Appel is the team leader in tackles for the Aggie defense
Photo by JP Beato
Ags Illustrated
Page 18
caught 23 passes for 272 yards and two touchdowns. The Mustangs have traditionally paled
in comparison to Texas City (state champion in
1999) and La Marque (Region III finalist), and
all good players in the district are compared to
those talented squads.
Appel was offered and committed to the
Aggies after attending one of the summer football camps. He was also considering Texas,
Kansas State, TCU Nebraska and Arkansas
before accepting the Aggies’ offer.
Starting against LaMarque, Appel was playing
his best against the best. He rushed 232 yards
on 28 carries and had 3 TD’s. He finished the
regular season with 181 carries for 1,493 yards
and 17 touchdowns. His seven kickoff returns
went for 254 yards and a touchdown, and one
of his four interceptions was taken back for a
score. He was third in 23-4A in punt returns,
second in kickoff returns, third in interceptions
and first in scoring.
In the second round of the playoffs against
Dayton, he scored four of Friendwood’s five
touchdowns, runs of 33 and 51 yards, a 25-yard
pass, and a 30-yard interception return. His last
playoff game against a talented state finalist
West Orange Stark team ended with less than 50
yards of total offense, but his season in total
showed how lucky the Aggies are to have his
commitment.
“The only way it would have ended up on a
good note was if we had won the state championship,” Friendswood coach Steve Van Meter
said. “Jaxson was very battered coming in to
that game. He’s just had arthroscopic knee surgery after the season, and he played with a separated shoulder.”
Appel was a state medalist in the pole vault,
but he will concentrate on playing football
exclusively for the Aggies, so expect him to get
stronger and faster when he arrives on campus.
Concentrating on one side of the football will
not hurt Appel, but he will still have a chance to
play on offense for the Aggies.
The Aggies need Appel and his defensive
back cohorts to come to Aggieland ready to
strap on a helmet and play for the “Wrecking
Crew”. Add in talented players like LaPorte’s
Ruffus Harris, and the Aggie secondary will
know that the middle of the field is manned by
talented football players for years to come.
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Aggie Basketball
Fans see 2003 Sneak Preview
by Scott Clendenin
Senior guard Leandro Garcia-Morales scored
25 points to lead the Texas A&M Maroon team
to an 87-86 victory against the A&M White team
in an intrasquad scrimmage on Saturday at
Reed Arena. The scrimmage attracted a good
crowd of football fans as the athletic department
showcased both the Men’s and Women’s teams
before and after the Aggie football game with
the Kansas Jayhawks.
Garcia-Morales and Marcus Watkins both
started fast for the Maroon team and the White
team fell behind early with Antione Wright
struggling to find his shot in the first ten minutes of the ballgame.
The Maroon team scored from the outside
early, led at the half by double digits 44-33, and
they were up, by 22 with 14 minutes left in the
game. But the White team came back with a 39
to 17 run over the next 11 minutes. They took a
76-75 lead on a three-pointer by sophomore
guard Antoine Wright with 2:40 remaining.
But the Maroon regained the lead on a pair of
free throws by senior forward Jesse King and
never trailed again despite the White’s attempt
to put the game away.
Sophomore guard Marcus Watkins added 17
points for the Maroon, while King, junior guard
Bobby Leach and freshman forward Marlon
Pompey each scored 11 points. Garcia-Morales
made 5-of-7 from three-point range.
Garcia-Morales is moving to the shooting
guard position this season and should split time
with Kevin Turner, but other players should
make up a much deeper rotation in the offensive positions for the Aggies.
“I’m just happy that we’ve got a rotation, that
we can even use that word,” head coach Melvin
Watkins said. “I’m not ready to give names yet
because we’re still in the early stages, but I can
tell you I think we’ve got 10 or 11 guys in practice that are saying that they want playing time.
We need 10 or 11 players making consistent contributions night in and night out. If early indications are true, I think we’ll be able to get that.
I’m not sure who our starters would be if we
started tomorrow though.”
Wright led the White team with 22 points,
while senior center Andy Slocum and freshman
forward LaKeith Blanks each scored 18 and sen-
Acie Law is one of the future stars recruited to A&M this season.
Photos by Scott Clendenin
Ags Illustrated
Page 19
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
ior guard Kevin Turner added 15. Slocum led all
rebounders with nine.
Point guard Acie Law was a highlight for the
White, distributing the ball and showing some
of the skills that made him one of the
Metroplex’s top guards before an injured wrist
cost him the first half of the season and the publicity that would have accompanied his team’s
usual preseason domination. Matching up
against Bobby Leach every day in practice has
both players learning the system but also learning where their new teammates need the ball to
be successful offensively.
“Overall, I was pleased by the effort of both
teams,” head coach Melvin Watkins said. “We
executed well for the most part and I saw a lot
of positive things, although we still have a lot of
things to work on. One team got down but didn’t quit and came back strong. I saw a lot of
guys sharing the ball and that was good to see.”
The Aggies will be without all time leading
scorer Bernard King for the first time in four
years, and while his departure is seen by some
as a positive, he was still a scoring match-up
that will be hard to replace.
“I think we’re a different type of team. I think
so because we won’t rely on one person as
heavily as we did on him. That’s going to end
up being a good thing for us as we go through
the season. We got some indications of what
we’d be like without Bernard on the foreign
tour, and what we saw was a more balanced
attack and probably a little more unselfishness
in terms of moving and distributing the ball,
which is the way I like to play anyway. So from
that standpoint we do have a chance to be a better team which hopefully equates to more
wins.”
The Aggies were picked to either finish 11th
or 12th last season and to move up and finish in
a tie for seventh was one of the top improvements of any team since the formation of the
conference, along with Texas Tech the year after
the arrival of Bobby Knight.
“It really has been terrific and it’s going to be
terrific this season. That’s always a concern of
coaches that are not in those top five or six
teams…how do you make that move? Those top
five or six are not going to sit back and give it to
you,” head coach Melvin Watkins said. “Last
year we were picked to finish last, and we finished seventh. We’ve got to go out and earn it.
We know our work is cut out for us. I think
we’ve got the personnel and more importantly
we’ve got the attitude that says (to those top
teams) ‘Guys, move over, we’ve got to make
room.’ We’ve got to figure out how to get into
one of those spots. That’s what our focus will
be. That means if we move in, someone else has
players as they learn from the best player on the
to move out, and I’m sorry.”
team.
Since the first year of the Melvin Watkins era,
“He’s a very talented basketball player. He’s
the Aggies have been looking to find a point
generated that type of excitement among those
guard that can not only led the team but make
at the highest level. He worked really hard durthe players around them better. Clifton Cook
ing the off-season, he’s a lot stronger than he
was Big 12 Newcomer of the Year that first seawas,” head coach Melvin Watkins said. “There’s
son and finding a player that can be another
still things he’s got to learn though. Anytime we
coach on the floor is what makes the Watkins
get those types of players in our program, we’re
offense thrive. A former point guard that led
surely making the right statement. He handles
his team to the final four, the most important
position on the floor for the Aggies will be point the press and the media well. I think he has the
whole package. We’re surely going to lean on
guard.
I think we’ve got some new players that prob- him. Then again, being a sophomore, I don’t
want to force too much on him this year. I’m a
ably will log most of the minutes there, one
little selfish…I want to keep him around for a
being a junior college player, Bobby Leach, and
then a freshman, Acie Law, from the Dallas area while.”
Other members of the press watched the
that I think is really going to surprise some peoscrimmage, and the return to the court of Nick
ple with his ability to play the game,” head
coach Melvin Watkins said. “I think this is going Anderson was a focus of those observers.
to be be our best chance to have more consistent Anderson, at the end of his freshman year and
in the Aggies’ match-up with a good Miami
play at the point position than we’ve had in a
team during his sophomore year, would take
long, long time.”
over games and was an extremely difficult
After sitting out last season, Aggie fans saw
match-up against slower big men. His ability to
their first glimpse of Luis Clemente during the
scrimmage and the sophomore is poised to give post up smaller players gave the Aggies a threat
that could change ballgames.
the Aggies an offensive threat that was missing
“Nick is going to play the 4 spot, maybe a litat the forward position in the games that
tle at the 3. Right now at the 4, he’s probably the
departed senior Keith Bean did not score last
leader a little bit, just because he’s been through
year. Those around the program raved about
the battles and wants to go out with a bang,”
his practice habits and the way he pushed the
starters and competed like he
was going to be on the floor
each week.
“One you probably wouldn’t
know about is Luis Clemente.
He’s a kid that sat out for us last
year. He was big surprise on the
foreign tour, averaging 16
(points) and 10 rebounds for us.
I don’t know if he can average
that for us during the season,
but the point is for a kid that
hasn’t played Division I basketball, we were really very excited
about seeing that. He’s one I
think that will give us some
inside scoring consistently.
Not getting down after a slow
start to the scrimmage shows the
maturity that now accompanies
Antoine Wright, and as he has
matured his ability to let the
game come to him is a big
change from King, who would
force the ball to the hoop and
not involve his teammates.
Wright’s attitude is the most
important intangible this season
because his “team first” attitude Coach Melvin Watkins is excited about the season.
will be emulated by the younger Photo by Scott Clendenin
Ags Illustrated
Page 20
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
head coach Melvin Watkins said. “He’s a very
talented basketball player that’s probably lost
his way a little bit. But he’s focused right now
and has put a lot into it. When he does that and
commits to it, I think you’re going to see a better basketball player. If you remember, when he
was playing, he averaged double figures for us.
He’s had different things happen though and
hasn’t been there for us. Now everything seems
to be going well for him, he seems to be at
peace with himself, and he’s playing good basketball this year.”
One of the focuses of the recent Big 12 Media
day was Coach Watkins contract extension and
the renewed interest in the program after the
14-14 season last year.
“I am very excited. I have the advantage of
being around these kids everyday and when we
were in Italy, and I see a little spark in their eyes
that I haven’t seen before,” head coach Melvin
Watkins said. “ That’s a good thing, when you
see the kids feeling it, tasting it, wanting it. You
see it just by the comments that are made in
practice. We’re creating something right there
that I think has the potential to be a little more
special than people might think. So get on
board, come out and see it. I think it’s ready to
happen.”
2003-04 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Preseason Coaches Poll
Team (first place votes)
Points
1. Missouri (8)
2. Texas (3)
3. Kansas (1)
4. Oklahoma
5. Oklahoma State
6. Colorado
7. Texas Tech
8. Kansas State
9. Texas A&M
10. Iowa State
11. Nebraska
12. Baylor
114
108
106
92
81
71
64
48
41
33
23
11
Note: Points were awarded 11 for first, 10 for second,
nine for third, etc. Coaches were not allowed to vote for
their own team.
2003-04 Preseason Coaches All-Big 12 Team
LaKeith Blanks was the highest recruited player brought to A&M this season.
Photos by Scott Clendenin
(Coaches were not able to vote for their own team.)
Name, School Pos. Ht.
Andre Emmett, Texas Tech
Arthur Johnson, Missouri
Rickey Paulding, Missouri
Wayne Simien, Kansas
James Thomas, Texas
Wt.
G
C
G
F
C
Cl-Exp Ppg
6-5
229
6-9
268
6-5
218
6-9
255
6-8
235
Rpg
Sr-3L
Sr-3L
Sr-3L
Jr-2L
Sr-3L
Hometown (Previous school)
21.8
6.6
Dallas, Texas (Carter HS)
16.1
9.6
Detroit, Mich. (Pershing HS)
17.4
5.5
Detroit, Mich. (Renaissance HS)
14.8
8.2
Leavenworth, Kan. (High)
11.1
11.0
Schenectady, N.Y. (Hargrave [Va.] Acad.)
Others receiving votes - Tony Allen, Sr., G, Oklahoma State; David Harrison, Jr., C, Colorado; Keith Langford, Jr., G, Kansas; Michel Morandais, Sr.,
G.F, Colorado; Brandon Mouton, Sr., G, Texas; Antoine Wright, So., F/G, Texas A&M
Preseason Player of the Year - Andre Emmett (G/F, 6-5, Sr., Dallas, Texas, Carter HS)
Preseason Newcomer of the Year - Jason Conley (G, 6-5, Jr., Silver Springs, Md., VMI)
Co-Preseason Freshman of the Year - David Padgett (C, 6-11, Fr., Reno, Nev., Reno HS);
Drew Lavender (G, 5-7, Fr., Columbus, Ohio, Brookhaven HS)
Ags Illustrated
Page 21
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
AgTimes.com
waxajoe
Starter
Joined: 16 Dec 2002
Posts: 177
Location: Waxahachie, Texas
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 16:39
Post subject: What
should we read into the Kansas game?
I am glad for the win and I don't want to belittle that.
But, I didn't expect Kansas to be able to get almost
500 yards.
Where are we at now after 9 games?
Fla Ag
Redshirt
Joined: 13 Jan 2003
Posts: 70
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 16:45
Post subject: What
Offense=good, Defense=BAAAAAAAAAADDDDDDDD
blk911
Starter
Joined: 07 Oct 2002
Posts: 159
Location: austin, tx
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 16:46
Post subject: What
well????
we're still located in college station, we have a new
coach, a new system on both sides of the ball, 4 frosh
in, 18 on the shelf, a great qb, terrific tailback, some
help on the way in the dline, and a good crop of
recruits coming in, a game with OK there next week
and we're about 5inches shy on the rain guage this
year.
what else do we need to know?
_________________
Complain about the present and blame it on the past
I'd like to find your inner child and kick its little
a$$...Get over it! The Eagles
ja86
Starter
Joined: 11 Oct 2002
Posts: 217
Location: San Diego, CA
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 16:46
Post subject: What
as Reggie goes, so goes our offense. He had a good
game today and lifted all the offensive players
Visit us at www.agtimes.com for the latest in Aggie
news, chat and message boards
around him. We are still having some difficulty in
getting TDs once we get into the Red Zone. But, it is a
good sign that Reggie had a good game and hopefully has put the past couple of games behind him.
Well the Defense still needs some work.
jcs
Redshirt
Joined: 11 Aug 2001
Posts: 52
Location: College Station, Texas
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 17:13
Post subject: What
We need to remember KU has a defense that is just as
bad as the one that A&M has. Also we are a different
team at home than on the road.
IamHank
All Conference
Joined: 17 Feb 2002
Posts: 923
Location: Spring
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 17:16
Post subject: What
Location: North Texas
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 17:28
Post subject: What
The reason Appel and Buhl had good games was b/c
they had to. To many times runnes get into the secondary and to few times does the front seven get anything remotely close to pressure on the QB.
Trinity Ag
All Conference
Joined: 02 Jan 2001
Posts: 824
Location: West Point, NY
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 17:33
Post subject: What
Quote:
We have much better personnel than Kansas. A guy
starting his first game with mediocre talent around
AgTimes.Com Recruiting Video!!!
The AgTimes.com Class of 2003 Recruit Video, in addition to
ordering from this site on the banner above, is available at these
Houston and B/CS area businesses:
We have much better personnel than Kansas. A guy
starting his first game with mediocre talent around
him should not have put up that many points at Kyle.
***For you thousands of Aggies living in the Motherland who
have not yet ordered the video (for whatever reason), they are
now conveniently available in your neighborhood.***
When was the last time we were a 21+ point dog to
anyone?
Pride Cleaners, all four locations in B/CS, owned and operated
by Will Simmen ‘86. Get your clothes laundered and pressed and
pick up the Class of 2003.
djsaggie
Redshirt
Joined: 12 Jan 2003
Posts: 77
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 17:23
Post subject: What
Quote:
But, I didn't expect Kansas to be able to get almost
500 yards.
I did. Have you seen our defense play this year? I'm
not surprised at all.
But, some guys on D had a good game today, namely
Montgomery, Appel (as usual) and Buhl. Individually,
we're making progress. We just haven't put it together
as a unit.
Briarcrest Country Club Pro Shop operated by Jim Beard ‘83.
Knock some balls in the water then buy some more and pick up
the Recruit Video at the register before you leave.
Wolf Creek Car Wash on Harvey Rd owned by Bill Trainor ‘82
and Sandra ‘83. Gas up, clean the car, buy the Recruit Video and
‘Be Happy’. Then tell your Aggie friends and neighbors where
they can get their very own Class of 2003 video.
Loupot’s stores, all three locations.
Rothers at Southgate.
IN HOUSTON AT:
Aggieland of Texas, 7526 FM 1960 across from Willowbrook
Mall.
Barcelona Sports, 10210 Old Katy Rd. between Gessner and the
Tollway.
aggi2003
Redshirt
Joined: 05 Oct 2003
Posts: 61
Ags Illustrated
Dixie Chicken and Shadow Canyon at Northgate, and the
Chicken Oil Co. restaurant. Drink a beer, eat a burger and buy
this Recruit Video.
Page 22
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
him should not have put up that many points at Kyle.
KU has the #24 ranked offense in the country, and
plays a spread that gives us fits.
They may not be OU, but they are a solid offensive
football team.
Their defense, on the other hand....
_________________
Ketchum is a textbook example of the adage: "there is
always room for one more clown in the Volkswagen."
I say take OU WHATEVER the line is.
_________________
"I've seen 'em win, and I've seen 'em lose, but I've
never seen 'em quit."
Rob Gale
Redshirt
Joined: 02 Apr 2003
Posts: 63
Location: San Antonio
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 19:46
Post subject: What
We have one more win than we did at noon today.
Harry
All Conference
Joined: 21 Nov 2002
Posts: 723
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 17:36
Post subject: Re: What
IamHank wrote:
anyone?
what is this in reference to?
Fla Ag
Redshirt
Joined: 13 Jan 2003
Posts: 70
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 17:43
Post subject: Re: What
Harry wrote:
IamHank wrote:
anyone?
what is this in reference to?
I think this is in reference to the line vs. the sooners
next week.
djsaggie
Redshirt
Joined: 12 Jan 2003
Posts: 77
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 18:48
Post subject: What
If so, there's some easy money to be made with that
line.
mattgid03
All Conference
Joined: 22 Apr 2002
Posts: 694
Location: College Station, TX
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 19:36
Post subject: What
We have kids playing their guts out. We have a
coaching staff that stays wired into the game until the
gun sounds. We have players who are in top playing
condition...allowing them to play five quarters without being drained.
We have 18 freshman who are still wearing red shirts.
We have a coaching staff that believes in themselves
and their program/style. We have coaches that take
losses hard and personally. They do not blame each
other, nor do they blame the young men that they
coach.
We have a head coach who tells it like it is. This does
not include a reply of "half of the teams in the country lose each Saturday."
I am proud of the efforts the team and staff are showing.
That is where we are!
_________________
"I'd rather be a Texas Aggie than a mean old so and
so..."
Trip98
All Conference
Joined: 07 Sep 2001
Posts: 333
Location: austin, texas, u.s.
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 20:18
Post subject: What
NOTHING!!!
Read nothing. Just like baylor. The only small tidbits
are that our offense can do some nice things when
not turning the ball over.
thing Fran said in August, we need a 1,000 yard rusher and he is well on his way to doing that.
_________________
Section 423, rowdiest section in the zone and we
throw some **** good tailgates too!!
jamey
Site Admin
Joined: 14 Dec 2001
Posts: 12115
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 20:32
Post subject: What
And we still have fans who actually get all upset by
coachspeak. If a coach is talking to the media, it's
meaningless drivel, 99% of the time. It's always been
that way and it always will be that way and if you're
wondering why, just look at how fans get upset by
things that are seeminly simple and strait forward.
That's why coachspeak exists. Fans and the media
can't handle anything meaningful.
pyramid
All Conference
Joined: 09 Oct 2000
Posts: 582
Location: Austin
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 20:40
Post subject: What
I've seen something like this before:
Rob Gale = Dennis Franchione
BlitzGd
All Conference
Joined: 19 Dec 2002
Posts: 513
Posted: 01 Nov 2003 20:41
Post subject: What
jamey, it would just be nice if more of those fans
showed up to see the product on the field.
Student have no excuse. look for up-coming telling it
how it will be post if student attendence does not
improve.
_________________
The quarterback can't throw the ball when he is lying
on the ground.
Section 423: Where hearing aids are not needed.
And our D has a
LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG way to
go. Lots of youth and inexperience.
The one kind of random, lost in the shuffle fact I like
to think about when I look at our
record............Courtney Lewis is having a GREAT
year!!! Week in, week out he is reliable. And one
Ags Illustrated
Page 23
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
w
ne Up
e
th rm ow
a h
h
tc W e S s
a
C gie am ay
Ag e-G urd m.
.
t
Pr Sa 0 a
1
The Zone Monday thru Friday Line-up
1a-5a ESPN Radio All Night
5a-9a The Mike & Mike show from ESPN
9a-11a The First Word w/Louie Belina
11a-2p The Jungle w/Jim Rome
2p-5p Dan Patrick Show
5p-7p Chip Howard’s SportsTalk
Te
xa
s
n
et
to
ck
us
Ro
g
Bi
X
II
Ho
n
Br
n
a
y
Vi
Co
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F
ki
l
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a
b
t
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Fo
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Ho
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r
e
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Tex
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ns

Offensive Outburst Offensive Outburst

Transcription

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