November 27, 1998
Texas A&M Postgame Notes
AGGIES VS. KANSAS STATE IN BIG 12 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME --- Despite Friday's narrow 26-24 loss to Texas, the Aggies had already clinched the Big 12 South Division and will battle Kansas State for Big 12 supremacy and a berth in the Bowl Championship Series on Dec. 5 in St. Louis' Trans World Dome. The top- ranked Wildcats are North Division Champs.
NGUYEN TACKLES 500-BARRIER --- With 14 tackles against Texas on Friday, Aggies senior linebacker Dat Nguyen passed the 500-tackle barrier in career stops. The Lombardi Trophy and Butkus Award finalist has produced 132 tackles this season, including 87 solo stops, with a school record 16 tackles for losses and four quarterback sacks (old record for tackles for losses was 14 by Edward Jasper in 1995). For his career, Nguyen has a school record 502 tackles, including a school record 43 TFLs (old record for TFLs was 32 by John Roper, 1985-88). Nguyen also tallied the 28th double-digit effort of his career against the Horns. He has led the Aggies in tackles the past three seasons, and is a certainty to become the first player in school history to lead the team in stops four straight years.
'HORN RALLY THWARTS BIGGEST COMEBACK IN AGGIE HISTORY --- When the Aggies took a 24-23 lead late in the fourth quarter, the touchdown drive culminated a 16-point comeback from 23-7 down, which would have ranked as the biggest in school history. But the Longhorns ruined the rally with a comeback of their own by driving the length of the field with just over two minutes remaining and booted the game-winning field goal. The Aggies' biggest winning comeback in school history remains 15 points (last year's Oklahoma State OT win).
TURNOVERS KEY AGGIE EFFORT --- The Aggies played turnover-free football today, and used Longhorn giveaways to nearly steal a victory. Fourteen of the Aggies 24 points came directly from two Ricky Williams fumbles recovered the A&M defense. A&M produced another take-away -- an INT by Brandon Jennings -- that the Aggies couldn't convert into points. For the season, the Aggies have forced 28 turnovers, while giving away just 13.
OFFENSE STIFLED BY LONGHORN "D" --- The Aggies were limited to just 173 yards of total offense, A&M's third-lowest offensive output of the season. The Aggies rushed for minus-7 yards, also a season-low and the least since Kansas State held A&M to minus-35 yards rushing in 1997.
METHODICAL LONGHORN "O" WEARS DOWN WRECKING CREW --- Ricky Williams and the Texas offense produced 483 yards of total offense against the Aggies, who came into the game leading the Big 12 in total defense. The previous best offensive day against the Aggies this season was 360 by Florida State in the season- opener.
Sophomore linebacker Cornelius Anthony caused and then recovered a Ricky Williams fumble in the first quarter. It was his third fumble recovery of the season, which leads the team. *** Ricky Williams' 60-yard record-breaking run was the longest run given up by the A&M defense this season and also the longest play allowed. *** The Aggies, while not turning the ball over in the first half, produced two takeaways in the first quarter. A Brandon Jennings interception of a Major Applewhite pass and Anthony's fumble recovery. *** Derrick Spiller's pair of touchdown receptions were his second and third TD catchs of the year and the sixth and seventh of his career *** This was the second time this season that the Aggies have trailed at halftime, and also the second consecutive game. The Aggies trailed Missouri, 7-6, two weeks ago, but rallied for a 17-14 victory.