October 03, 1998
Texas A&M Postgame Notes
NOSE FOR THE FOOTBALL: Butkus Award candidate Dat Nguyen has made a career of always being around the football, and he proved that once again against Kansas. On the first offensive play of the game Nguyen picked off a Zac Wegner pass that led to A&M's first touchdown. In the third quarter, Nguyen scooped up a Jayhawk fumble on a punt return deep in KU territory, which the Aggies quickly converted into three points. Nguyen, who also has a nose for tackles, posted seven tackles, including one for loss of yardage. His career tackle total now stands at 413.
DO-IT-ALL HALL: As odd as it may seem, the 100-yard rushing game by Dante Hall against Kansas was the first by an Aggie runner this season. Hall had 100 yards on 18 carries in the first half alone, and finished with a whopping 178 yards on a career-high 36 carries. The previous rushing high by an Aggie this season was 84 by Hall against North Texas. His 178 yards were his No. 2 single game total, just behind the 184 yards (17 carries) against Texas Tech as a freshman in 1996.
The 5-foot-8 Hall carried the football a career-high 36 times, far more than he ever has in his career at Texas A&M. His previous high carry game was 22 totes against Colorado in 1997 (123 yards).
Hall also had a huge all-purpose yardage day, rolling up a career-high 255 yards as a rusher, receiver or return man. "Do-it-all" Hall finished with 178 yards on the ground, 8 yards receiving, 14 yards on two punt returns and 55 yards on three kickoff returns. He averaged 6.4 yards on 41 touches of the football.
McCOWN LEADS CRUCIAL DRIVE: Quarterback Randy McCown rallied the Aggies to victory with a crucial fourth-quarter drive and gave himself his first career victory as a starter. McCown's start at QB on Saturday was the second start of his career. His other start was against Texas Tech in 1997 -- a 16-13 loss in Lubbock. Against KU, McCown completed 9-of-18 passes for 89 yards with no TDs and no INTs.
McCown also rushed for 15 yards today on 13 carries, giving him 41 for the season. Last season, McCown and starter Branndon Stewart combined for negative rushing yardage.
For his career, McCown has attempted 148 passes with just one interception. His last interception was against North Texas in 1996, some 25 games ago.
TURNOVERS THE KEY ... AGAIN: The Aggies once again won the turnover battle, and once again it proved crucial. The Aggies forced two turnovers -- a interception and fumble recovery by Dat Nguyen -- which led to directly to 10 Aggie points in a 24-21 win. For the season, the Aggies have forced 14 turnovers, while giving up only four (+2.0 turnover margin per game).
FIRST DRIVE SUCCESS: The Aggies have enjoyed success on their initial offensive possession the past two games. Against Kansas, the Aggies only needed two plays before Dante Hall scored on an eight-yard run after a Dat Nguyen interception. Against North Texas last week, the Aggies scored on its first offensive play when QB Branndon Stewart connected with Chris Cole on a 60-yard touchdown pass. A&M opponents are scoreless on their opening possession --- punting three times and losing two turnovers.
HAMSTRINGS HAMPER 12TH MAN KICKOFF TEAM: For the second straight week, the Aggies' 12th Man Kickoff Team representative left the game with a hamstring strain. Chad Gary lasted only two kickoffs against Kansas, while Drew Bridges had to leave last week's game against North Texas.
NOTABLES: The Aggies have now scored in a school record 125 consecutive games ... the 58-yard touchdown pass given up by the Aggie defense against Kansas was the longest by an A&M opponent since 1997 when Oklahoma State's R.W. McQuarters pulled down a 62-yarder from QB Tony Lindsey ... Aggie deep snapper Kyle "The Mailman" Lednicky has now delivered 445 career deep snaps without an error ... R.C. Slocum has compiled a 7-3 record in conference openers, including two straight wins.