Postgame Notes and Quotes vs. Texas Tech
Oct 25, 1997 | Football
October 25, 1997
HARDEMAN'S 56-YARD RUN SPARKS AGGIES --
With Aggies trailing 3-0 in the first quarter and trying to drive into the strong wind, "B" running back D'Andre "Tiki" Hardeman gave A&M a needed spark by ripping off 56-yard run, his longest of the season. The run set up a chip shot field goal for Kyle Bryant, which knotted the score at 3-3. Hardly the fastest of the Aggie backs, Hardeman has a history of producing long runs. Last year Hardeman ripped off a school record 95-yarder vs. Baylor and a 74-yarder against Iowa State. Hardeman was the game high rusher, finishing with 103 yards on 12 carries. It was Hardeman's fourth career 100-yard rushing game.
Bryant nears school FG, Scoring records --
With a pair of field goals today, 1996 Lou Groza semifinalist Kyle Bryant moved his season total to 11-of-14. For his career, Bryant has 53 field goals which ranks second in A&M history behind two-time All-America Tony Franklin's 56 treys. Bryant also increased his career scoring to 287 points, which is four points behind Franklin's school record of 291. Dating back to late in his sophomore season, Bryant has connected on 37 of his last 46 attempts (80.4 accuracy rate).
Big 12 Punt leader Lechler averages 43.0 --
Despite facing the wind on two of his three punts, Big 12 punt leader Shane Lechler averaged 43.0 yards per boot. Against the wind, Lecher had 40- and 25-yarders. With the wind at his back, Lechler booted a 64-yarder. For the season, Lechler has booted nine 55-yard plus punts with a seasn-long of 70 yards (vs. Colorado).
Parker passes Crow, Lippman on rushing list --
Junior Sirr Parker rushed for 75 yards on 21 carries today, moving him past 1957 Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow (1,465, 1955-57) and Glenn Lippman (1,506, 1949-51) on A&M's career rushing charts. For his career, Parker has 1,517 yards which ranks No. 18 in A&M history. Parker is A&M's leading active career rusher, but is trailed closely by two other career 1,000-yard rushers Dante Hall and D'Andre Hardeman. Hardeman ranks No. 22 with 1,287 yards, while Hall ranks No. 26 with 1,204 yards.
Meyers tallies 11th tackle for loss --
Senior outside linebacker Phillip Meyers added another tackle for loss of yardage to his season total. Meyers has 11 tackles for losses (not including sacks), which is just behind Edward Jasper's school record of 14 (set in 1995).
Aggie Quarterback shuffle changes format --
In the Aggies previous six games, quarterback Branndon Stewart and Randy McCown alternated every two to three offensive series. Today, McCown made his first career start and remained in the game throughout the first half, producing six points. In the second half, Stewart started and played the remainder of the game, producing seven points. Stewart completed 12-of-17 passes for 126 yards and touchdown, while McCown completed 2-of-8 for 7 yards. Neither Aggie quarterback has thrown an interception since the Colorado game.
Big defensive day for Webster --
Sophomore cornerback Jason Webster had a big day against Texas Tech, posting a pair of tackles behind the line (loss of -2, -10) and blocking a first half field goal. He also posted six tackles and broke up a pair of passes.
Injured Hall handles punt return duties --
Injured sophomore running back Dante Hall (bruised knee) did see any action in the Aggie backfield, but he did handle the punt return duties. Hall returned one punt for 12 yards and fair caught several others. Without Hall, the punt return duties would have fell upon true freshman Chris Taylor.
Aggie Firsts --
Making their first career starts for Texas A&M were quarterback Randy McCown, wide receiver Chris Taylor, and offensive tackle Rex Tucker *** True freshman Chris Taylor also had the first kickoff return of his A&M career.
First Drive woes --
Four of A&M's seven opponents have scored on their initial offensive drive of the game, including the last three.
Aggie captains --
Aggie captains for today's game were placekicker Kyle Bryant, punter Shane Lechler, running back D'Andre Hardeman and offensive center Koby Hackradt. Texas Tech won the toss and took the wind.
Greg Yount is 12th man team representative --
The 12th Man kickoff team representative was Greg Yount, a 5-11, 195-pound senior from Manor, Texas.
Aggie Quotes --
Head Coach R.C. Slocum: (On QB shuffle) "I thought the competition between the two quarterbacks had been very close. Randy McCown had some good practices this week, and we hadn't seen him in a starting role. I thought a different combination to start the game might get us off to a good start." (Overall) "You have to give Texas Tech credit. They made the key plays to keep the key drives alive. I felt good after we tied it up in hopes of holding them and getting the ball back. Once again they made the key plays to keep the drive going." (On OSU): "This will be a good challenge for us. We have a great opponent coming in next week, and we'll have to be ready. It will be interesting to see how the team responds to the challenge."
Running Back Sirr Parker: "We let this game get away from us, and that's not to take anything away from what Texas Tech accomplished. They did a good job. We came out ready to play. College football is a crazy sport. Anything can happen. It's up to all of us to come back on Monday and get prepared for Oklahoma State."
Linebacker Dat Nguyen: "We knew what they would run because we worked on it all week. They just wanted to win it more than we did. Zebbie Letheridge can hurt you in so many ways. Oklahoma State will be ready for us. We have to get back to work and be ready too."
