January 01, 1999
Texas A&M Postgame Notes
NO. 51 FOR DAT --- Tonight's game was the 51st consecutive start, a school record, for All-America linebacker Dat Nguyen. The senior from Rockport, Texas started every possible game of his four-year career at Texas A&M.
BIG COLLEGIATE FINALE FOR NGUYEN --- Dat Nguyen closed out his record-breaking Aggie career with 14 tackles, including 12 solos and two quarterback sacks against Ohio State in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. It marked the 30 double-digit tackle game of his career and the ninth of his senior season. Nguyen finished his career with six straight double-digit games. For his career against ranked teams, Nguyen averaged 12.8 stops per game, including 10 double-digit efforts in 15 games against the top 25.
12th MAN --- Representing the 12th Man Kickoff Team in the Nokia Sugar Bowl was Chad Frantzen, a 6-2, 210-pound junior from Diana, Texas. Frantzen, who is a non-scholarship player, also backed up Dat Nguyen at inside linebacker.
OPENING POSSESSIONS --- Prior to tonight's game, the Aggies had scored on their opening possession only three times this season -- vs. Baylor, Kansas and North Texas. A&M quickly jumped to a 7-0 lead after driving 59 yards for a Dante Hall touchdown on their initial offensive series. Also prior to tonight's game, the Buckeyes had only been held to a three-and-out opening series once -- vs. Michigan. Ohio State's opening series yielded minus-three yards before the Buckeyes were forced to punt.
BLOCKED PUNT --- The first-quarter punt block by OSU's Derrick Ross marked the first time since 1993 that A&M has had a punt blocked (Oklahoma's JaJuan Penny blocked a punt by A&M's James Bennett). The last time an opponent has scored a touchdown on an A&M blocked punt was 1985 (Arkansas' [first name unknown] Anderson fell on a blocked punt in the endzone).
CAPTAINS --- Tonight's game captains for Texas A&M were a quartet of seniors: Dat Nguyen, Warrick Holdman, Dan Campbell and Branndon Stewart. The Aggies won the toss and deferred to the second half. The foursome combined for 143 starts during their A&M careers.
BIG CROWD --- Tonight's crowd of 76,503 was the largest ever for the Aggies in a bowl game, beating out the 74,188 that watched the Aggies and Buckeyes in the 1987 Cotton Bowl (a 28-12 OSU win).
STEWART ADDS NAME TO A&M BOWL RECORD BOOK --- Senior quarterback Branndon Stewart set A&M bowl records for pass completions and attempts against Ohio State by completing 22-of-39 passes for 187 yards. The former records were17 completions by Corey Pullig in the 1994 Cotton Bowl vs. Notre Dame and 31 attempts by Kevin Murray in the 1987 Cotton Bowl vs. Ohio State.
AGGIES' DEFENSE PITCHES SECOND-HALF SHUTOUT --- After giving up 17 first-half offensive points, the Aggies' "Wrecking Crew" defense shut out the Ohio State offense in the second half. The Buckeyes hadn't been held scoreless after the break all season prior to tonight's game.