December 28, 2000
With the arrival of sophomore Jessie Hunnicutt early Thursday morning, the Texas A&M football team's pilgrimage to Shreveport, La., for the Sanford Independence Bowl is finally complete.
Bad weather delayed Hunnicutt's departure from his hometown of Amarillo, Texas, but the young outside linebacker would not be denied. He eventually took a Southwest Airlines flight from Amarillo to Dallas and then took a Greyhound bus from Dallas to Shreveport. He arrived at the team's hotel at 4:30 a.m. on Thursday.
There was little rest for the weary since Hunnicutt was with his teammates for an early afternoon workout at Independence Stadium. The 7-4 Aggies practiced for one-and-a-half hours in full pads in preparation for Sunday's matchup with the 7-4 Bulldogs of Mississippi State.
LOUISIANA NATIVE MAHAN BACK ON THE FIELD --- Homer, La., native Michael Mahan was back on the field on Thursday after missing Wednesday's workout because of a stomach virus. It was the first workout for Mahan in nearly two weeks, who briefly ended his football career due to concerns over on-going problems with his heart. Mahan had heart surgery during fall two-a-days and again late in the season.
FERGUSON APPEARS RECOVERED --- The Aggies' leading receiver Robert Ferguson has practiced the past two days and appears ready to rejoin A&M's offensive lineup. The junior from Houston missed the Aggies' season finale against Texas because of a sprained ankle and saw little work in the pre-bowl workouts in College Station. Ferguson led the Aggies with 58 catches for a school-record 885 yards and six touchdowns.
"Unless he has a setback, it looks like Robert will be able to play on Sunday," A&M head coach R.C. Slocum said.
INJURY REPORT --- A pair of Aggies missed Thursday's workout offensive tackle Andre Brooks (sprained ankle) and defensive end Ty Warren (hamstring strain).
TICKETS AVAILABLE --- Tickets for the 2000 Sanford Independence Bowl matchup between Texas A&M and Mississippi State can be obtained from Jim Kotch of the Texas A&M Ticket Office by calling 318/524-1868 or coming by room 105 of the Shreveport Sheraton (team headquarters) from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Kotch reports approximately 1,000 tickets remaining from A&M's allotment.
BOWL ACTIVITIES FOR THE AGGIES --- The Aggies will participate in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes Breakfast at 7:30 a.m. on Friday at the Bossier City Civic Center. In the evening, the Aggies will take part in the Sharpie Autograph Party at the Pierre Bossier Mall from 6-7:30 p.m.