July 31, 2003
 Dustin Long (left) and Reggie McNeal (right) will lead the Aggies into the 2003 season. |
Coach Fran and his offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, Les Koenning, Jr. have the luxury of two talented quarterbacks coming back for the 2003 season. Junior , from Port Neches-Groves High School, and sophomore , from Lufkin High School, will continue their quarterback battle.
Long played in all 12 games last season and started nine. He set school records for single game passing yards (399 vs. Kansas) and his seven touchdown passes against Texas Tech set a school and Big 12 record. Long reached the 1,000- and 2,000-yard plateaus faster than any quarterback in school history. His 2,509 yards passing last year ranks second on the A&M single-season list.
McNeal played in eight games and was named the National Offensive Player of the Week for his performance in leading the Aggies to a 30-26 victory over the top-ranked (Associated Press) Oklahoma Sooners. McNeal came off of the bench and threw for a freshman record four touchdown passes and he kept several drives alive with his scrambling ability. He earned the start the next week against the Missouri Tigers, but was injured and was forced to miss the final game of the season.
"We want to vary formations to get our play makers the ball," Coach Koenning said. "That gives us a chance to be successful. We are very fortunate to have two play makers at the quarterback position, Dustin Long and Reggie McNeal. One of those guys will touch the ball on every snap. From there, they can issue the ball to those who make plays. Both have been in the battles and have had success. They're both still learning as well. I think competition makes this a better situation. They push each other. This has been a pretty amazing atmosphere with total respect on each other's part. As long as you have that respect among the offensive unit, you have a chance to be successful. They're not selfish kids. We have a great deal of confidence in both to get the job done."
|
|
Another quarterback also made some news in the spring as junior from Caldwell High School was moved to an "A" back. A hybrid position where his talents can be utilized. Carter is a threat anytime he has the ball and he displayed that talent in the spring game by running, catching and he can throw as well.
"Jason Carter is another play maker who can help us in a variety of ways," Koenning said. "If needed, he could still help us at quarterback and we talked to Jason about keeping his options open."
"We also have a walkon, , and also could help us if needed," Koenning said.
Branyon is a redshirt freshman from Austin Bowie High School and Schroeder is a redshirt freshman from Austin Westlake High School.
STATISTICAL LEADERS - QUARTERBACKS - LAST 10 YEARS
Yards Completions Completion % Touchdowns Interceptions Long Pass 2002 D. Long 2,509 D. Long 177 R. McNeal 53.3 D. Long 19 D. Long 16 D. Long 82 2001 M. Faris 2,094 M. Farris 203 M. Farris 58.5 M. Farris 8 M. Farris 9 M. Farris 64 2000 M. Farris 2,551 M. Farris 208 M. Farris 59.9 M. Farris 10 M. Farris 9 M. Farris 93 1999 R. McCown 2,374 R. McCown 152 R. McCown 51.5 R. McCown 14 R. McCown 10 R. McCown 96 1998 R. McCown 1,025 B. Stewart 68 B. Stewart 53.1 B. Stewart 7 R. McCown 5 R. McCown 81 1997 B. Stewart 1,429 B. Stewart 111 R. McCown 57.1 B. Stewart 10 B. Stewart 4 B. Stewart 63 1996 B. Stewart 1,904 B. Stewart 146 B. Stewart 48.8 B. Stewart 9 B. Stewart 7 B. Stewart 70 1995 C. Pullig 2,105 C. Pullig 165 C. Pullig 53.7 C. Pullig 14 C. Pullig 9 C. Pullig 61 1994 C. Pullig 2,056 C. Pullig 161 C. Pullig 59.9 C. Pullig 13 C. Pullig 7 C. Pullig 75 1993 C. Pullig 1,732 C. Pullig 144 C. Pullig 59.3 C. Pullig 17 C. Pullig 10 C. Pullig 71
2003 Football Preview: