August 31, 1998
Kickoff Classic XVI
Texas A&M vs. Florida State
Aug. 31, 1998 * Giants Stadium * East Rutherford, New Jersey
Texas A&M Notes
TACKLING MACHINE --- Opening his campaign for the Butkus Award, A&M senior linebacker Dat Nguyen recorded 13 tackles (nine solos) against Florida State, marking the 22nd double-digit tackle game of his career. Nguyen also made a crucial strip of FSU QB Chris Weinke to stop the Seminoles deep in Aggie territory and a third-down stop of Travis Minor at the goal-line. Nguyen (pronounced WIN) is chasing former Green Bay Packer standout Johnny Holland's school record of 455 career tackles. Nguyen's updated total of 398 stops puts him well within reach of the mark. The Aggies' tackle leader against Florida State, Nguyen has led A&M in tackles in each of the past three seasons.
BRIDGES REPRESENTS 12TH MAN --- Representing the Aggie student body on the 12th Kickoff Team for the Kickoff Classic was Drew Bridges, a senior from Odessa Permian High School. Bridges, who earned a varsity letter on the 12th Man Kickoff Team in 1997, posted two tackles on kickoffs last season.
BIG-PLAY COLE --- The Kickoff Classic was another big-play day for Aggie junior wide receiver Chris Cole. On A&M's first drive, Cole drew a pass interference flag after breaking open, and then to open the second quarter, Cole pulled in a 45-yard bomb that led to A&M's first touchdown despite another pass interference flag. In 1997, despite not being a starter, Cole posted eight plays of more than 20 yards, including three over 40.
JUMBO SET --- The Aggies converted a fourth-and-one late in the second quarter using their "jumbo set" which consists of two fullbacks in the backfield and three tight ends on the line. The total weight of five extra bodies is 1,287 pounds or 257.4 per man.
INSTANT IMPACT --- Playing in their first games in the maroon and white, linebacker Christian Rodriguez and cornerback Jay Brooks contributed the biggest play of the first half. Rodriguez, a freshnan from Mesquite, Texas, roared in from his outside linebacker post and sacked FSU QB Chris Weinke, separating player from ball in the process. Brooks scooped up the pigskin after the first bounce and took it to paydirt and a 14-10 Aggie lead.
LECHLER CONTINUES ASSAULT ON RECORD BOOK --- Preseason All-America punter Shane Lechler continued his assault on the Aggie record book, which is already heavily dotted with his name. Lechler averaged 45.1 on eight kicks to consistently keep FSU pinned deep. He entered the season with a career average of 44.6 yards per boot, after averaging 47.0 in 1997 (No. 3 nationally).
AGGIE FRESHMEN STARTERS --- The Aggies started a pair of freshman against Florida State -- redshirt freshman Seth McKinney and redshirt freshman Jay Brooks at cornerback.
OTHER FIRST-TIME STARTERS --- In addition to the freshman starters, the Aggies had five other first-time starters in their lineup against FSU. Five members of the Aggie front seven were first time starters. Across the defensive front were sophomores Rocky Bernard, Ron Edwards and Ron Flemons, and at linebacker were sophomores Cornelius Anthony and Roylin Bradley.
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Texas A&M Post-Game Quotes
SAFETY RICH COADY --- "I was really proud of the way the defense played with a lot of effort. We never gave up and played the whole game. Next time maybe we'll catch some breaks."
RUNNING BACK SIRR PARKER --- I thought the defense played a heck of a game. We (the offense) just have to show up for the next game."