Aggie Football Battles Huskers Saturday in Lincoln
Oct 12, 2003 | Football
October 12, 2003
Texas A&M's game notes for Saturday's televised contest at No. 14 Nebraska in Lincoln...
Texas A&M AGGIES (3-3, 1-1 B12)
at
Nebraska CORNHUSKERS (5-1, 1-1 B12)
Kickoff --- 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18, 2003
Site (capacity) --- Memorial Stadium/Tom Osborne Field, Lincoln, Neb. (73,918)
Radio Information --- The game will be broadcast by the 60-plus station Texas A&M Radio Network. For a complete list of stations, go to: AggieAthletics.com. Calling the game on the A&M Radio Network are Dave South (play-by-play), Tim Cassidy (commentary) and Chris Valletta (sideline reports).
TV Information --- The game will be regionally televised by Fox Sports Net.
Taylor sets sights on receiving yards record --- With just 25 career games under his belt, senior Jamaar Taylor is poised to become Texas A&M's career leader in receiving yards. Taylor, who has caught at least one pass in every game he's played, goes into the Nebraska game needing 36 receiving yards to pass Bethel Johnson's (1999-2002) school record of 1,740 yards. Taylor's career stats stand at 108 catches for 1,705 yards and 10 touchdowns. Johnson set the existing receiving yards mark in 35 games over a four-year span.
Aggies hit road for Game 7 against Cornhuskers --- Game 7 for Texas A&M has the Aggies traveling to Lincoln, Neb., for an 11:30 tilt with the Top 25-ranked Nebraska Cornhuskers (No. 18 Associated Press / No. 14 USA Today/ESPN). The game will be regionally televised by Fox Sports Net. Fans should check their local television listings for broadcast information. The Aggies (3-3 overall, 1-1 vs. Big 12) are coming off a record-setting 73-10 victory over Baylor at Kyle Field, while Nebraska (5-1, 1-1) fell to Missouri, 41-24, in Columbia, Mo.
Team effort keys Aggies' rushing game renaissance --- Led by a two-headed tailback, its most mobile quarterback since Bucky Richardson and an improved offensive front, the Aggies have experienced a renaissance in its running game in 2003. The Aggies are averaging 217.3 rushing yards per game with an impressive 5.5 yards per carry average through six games this season. It is the Aggies' best per game rushing average since 1996 when they gained 230.3 yards per game on the ground and it's the best per carry average since 1990 when the Darren Lewis-led Aggies gained 5.8 per tote. Redshirt freshman Courtney Lewis and junior Derek Farmer have combined to give the Aggies 779 rushing yards from its running back position, while sophomore quarterback Reggie McNeal has emerged as a rushing threat with 237 yards on the ground. Much credit also goes to a youthful offensive front that features just two returning starters.
High octane Aggies --- A balanced rush-pass offensive attack by the Aggies is in the midst of the most prolific three-game span in school history. In their last three games against Pittsburgh, Texas Tech and Baylor, the Aggies have rolled up 1,752 yards of total offense, which is the most in school history. The previous three-game span came in 1996 when the Aggies piled up 1,677 yards in consecutive games against North Texas, Colorado and Louisiana Tech. A model of rush-pass balance, the Aggies are averaging 217.3 rushing yards and 224.3 passing yards in 2002. Of its 24 touchdowns, 14 have come via the rush and 10 have come through the air.
Aggie defense shuts down big 12 rushing leader --- While the Aggie offense received most of the praise from last Saturday's 73-10 victory over Baylor, the A&M defense sought to "regain its swagger" by shutting down Baylor's Rashad Armstrong. Armstrong came into the game as the Big 12 rushing leader and left it bruised. The Aggies limited Armstrong to just 22 yards on 18 carries, which was 95-plus yards below his season average of 117.8. Armstrong came into the game with a history of getting stronger in the second half, averaging 83.8 yards and 6.0 per carry in the final two quarters this season. Last Saturday, Armstrong gained no yards on six second half carries.
Amazing Appel --- Only a season and a half into his A&M career, sophomore safety Jaxson Appel is on the verge of putting his name on the Aggies' career interceptions list. In 16 career games, Appel has posted seven interceptions and needs just one more pickoff to enter the A&M top 20 in career INTs. A&M's 2003 leader in interceptions with three, Appel tied for the team lead with four in 2002 while setting a freshman record.
Jolly good player --- A bright spot on the Aggies' defensive front has been the play of first-time starter Johnny Jolly, who is the top tackler among the front seven and ranks No. 2 on the team in tackles with 48. The sophomore from Houston Forest Brook HS also leads the team in tackles for loss with 7 for -23 and has batted down 7 opponent aerials.
C. Lewis Moves up freshman rushing yards list --- Redshirt freshman running back Courtney Lewis continues to move up the Aggies' freshman season rushing yards list and has positioned himself to be A&M's first 1,000-yard rusher since Dant? Hall in 1998. Lewis has produced a team-best 556 rushing yards and 9 touchdowns on 83 carries (6.7 per attempt) in six games. His 556 yards are already the seventh-most by an A&M freshman and his 9 touchdowns rank No. 3 in the freshman record book. Against Baylor, Lewis produced a career-high 158 yards, which included a freshman record 86-yard touchdown run. His 158 yards ranked No. 7 on the freshman single game rushing list.
