Texas A&M
Iowa State
(#13) Texas A&M 56, Iowa State 17
Oct 11, 1997 | Football
October 11, 1997
With about five minutes left in Saturday's Texas A&M-Iowa State game, the Kyle Field camera crew focused closely on a sleeping Reveille. The 58,159 fans inside the stadium, upon seeing their beloved mascot cuddled up under protective rain gear, roared their approval.
That image, which appeared on the JumboTron in the south end of the field, basically summarized the entire damp, overcast day. The laid back Aggies had virtually no worries, no troubles and no reason to lose any sleep over the Cyclones.
That's not overconfidence talking. That's the reality of playing at home against the Cyclones, who last won a road game of any kind on Nov. 2, 1991. Iowa State (0-6 overall, and 0-3 in the Big 12) may be the easiest team in the conference to overlook.
To their credit, however, the Texas A&M players refused to be lulled into a slumber by their road-weary visitors. With an emotional win over Colorado in their rearview mirror and a handful of big games looming on the horizon, the Aggies pounded Iowa State into submission by the intermission and turned on the cruise control in the second half.
A&M (5-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12) rolled up 494 yards of total offense, scored 42 first-half points, created four ISU turnovers, returned a kickoff for a touchdown, returned a interception for another score and basically accomplished everything it wanted to.
The Cyclones, who gave the Aggies a scare last year in Ames (a 24-21 A&M win) were thoroughly impressed with all facets of the A&M performance.
They were impressed by Kyle Field and A&M's bowl chances: "Texas A&M is lucky to play in a place like this," ISU's Dustin Avey said. "I've never been in a situation like (Kyle Field). It was a physical game. They deserve their ranking, and they are going to be in a big-time bowl."
And generally they were just flat-out dazzled by the Aggies. In addition to Nguyen's touchdown - the third of his career at A&M - the junior All-American candidate also recorded nine tackles, caused a fumble and made another stop on a fourth and one situation. A week earlier, Nguyen made one of the key plays of the game by stopping a Colorado running back on fourth-and-goal from the one.
Offensively, Derrick Spiller and Sirr Parker certainly put on a show, as well. Spitler posted a career-high four catches for 44 yards, including a 7-yard TD reception early in the first quarter and a 14-yard scoring reception late in the second quarter.
Parker's two touchdowns, however, were even more dramatic in terms of length, creativity and impact. Each time Iowa State even threatened to make the Aggies sweat - or perhaps cause Reveille to stir - Parker seemed to be the guy who slapped the Cyclones back into place.
After ISU cut the lead to 7-3 midway through the first quarter, Parker ran 80 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the next series. Then when the Cyclones drove 80 yards in 17 plays late in the third quarter, Parker answered even more quickly, returning the ensuing kickoff 73 yards for another score.
It was also encouraging for A&M fans to see the offensive balance - missing the last two weeks against North Texas and Colorado - return against Iowa State. The Aggies mixed things up well, rushing for 268 yards and passing for 226 more. QBs Branndon Stewart and Randy McCown were both impressive. Stewart completed 8-of-12 passes for 85 yards and two scores, and McCown was 11-of-14 for 141 yards and one TDs.
Compared to the euphoria of the trip to Colorado, this one indeed seem somewhat like a day at work. But instead of just going through the motions the Aggies displayed their ever-developing maturity and focus. They took care of business with purpose and productivity.
The Aggies weren't without their problems against Iowa State: They gave up over 300 yards of total offense for the first time this season; they gave up two touchdowns for the first time this season; they failed to put consistent pressure on the quarterback early on: and they dropped some easy passes.
But ISU wasn't the real test on Saturday. The test was how A&M approached the inferior opponent and how the Aggies responded to the inevitable emotional letdown following the big win at Colorado.
The opponents become much tougher over the next three weeks, of course. Once-beaten Kansas State, rebounding Texas Tech and undefeated Oklahoma State will seriously challenge the Aggies and their unblemished record.
The good news for A&M fans is that this team seems to be getting better every week.
It should at least be enough to keep Rev's interest.
