August 27, 1999
Texas A&M Head Coach R.C. Slocum called his squad together after the morning workout and congratulated the Aggies on their hard work in two-a-day workouts. A team meeting followed and Slocum turned the squad loose until Sunday evening.
"We had good two-a-day workouts," Slocum said. "Although the temperature was around 100 degrees each day, the players really pushed through it. It was obvious the players had worked at the summer conditioning program."
The Aggies will return for a Sunday night workout before the players begin classes on Monday. The squad will not workout on Monday.
The only injuries that appear questionable heading into this weekend are wide receiver Bethel Johnson (stress fracture), wide receiver Michael Jennings (knee), offensive lineman Andre Brooks (knee) and linebacker Chris Thierry (ankle).
"We came through the drills with no major injuries other than Bethel Johnson's stress fracture," Slocum added. "We suspect that the injury actually occurred prior to the start of football. His surgery went well and he should be able to return to practice in a short time." The Aggies' first opponent, Louisiana Tech, opens the season on the road Saturday (Aug. 28) at top-ranked Florida State. "I am concerned that Louisiana Tech will have a significant advantage in having played a game," Slocum explained. "Normally, a team improves more between the first and second games than any other time." The Aggies open the 1999 season ranked #7 in the Associated Press poll. A&M travels to Shreveport, Louisiana, next Saturday, Sept. 4, to face the Bulldogs of Louisiana Tech. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. in Independence Stadium and the game will not be televised.