(#14) Nebraska 48, Texas A&M 12: Postgame Notes
Oct 18, 2003 | Football
October 18, 2003
Postgame notes and quotes from Texas A&M's 48-12 loss at No. 14 Nebraska Saturday...
TEXAS A&M POSTGAME NOTES
TURNOVERS STALL AGGIES' EFFORTS: The Texas A&M offense surrendered a season-high eight turnovers against Nebraska, which were turned into 34 points by the Cornhuskers. It was the most turnovers by the Aggies since 1996 when A&M gave away eight in a 29-22 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette (then Southwestern Louisiana). A&M threw five interceptions, its most since 1993 when the Aggies threw five against Oklahoma in a 44-14 loss to the Sooners in Norman.
CARTER BREAKS KICKOFF RETURN DROUGHT WITH TD: Junior Jason Carter's 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown was the first by the Aggies since 1997 when Sirr Parker scored on a 78-yarder against Iowa State.
The kickoff return sparked Carter to the most productive day of his career. He produced 185 all-purpose yards on five touches (37 yards per touch). He gained 113 yards on two kickoff returns, had two rushes for 49 yards and one carry for 23 yards.
NOTABLES:
- Prior to today, sophomore Reggie McNeal had never thrown more than one interception in a game. McNeal was picked off three times by Nebraska.
- Senior Jamaar Taylor was held without a reception for the first time in his career. He remains 36 yards short of breaking the school record for career receiving yards.
- Sophomore Todd Pegram was 2-of-2 on field goal attempts against Nebraska, which raised his season totals to 11-of-13 on FG tries.
- Junior punter Jacob Young was, once again, impressive while filling in for preseason All-America Cody Scates, who did not make the trip to Lincoln. Young averaged 45.6 on five punts, which included a career-best 69-yarder. Young also filled in for Scates in the first two games of the sason while Scates recovered from hernia surgery.
- The Aggies' 26-yard field goal in the third quarter marked the first points scored against the Huskers in the third quarter this season.
- A&M's 109 passing yards were a season-low and were the lowest passing output since 2001 when the Aggies could manage just 58 yards through the air against Oklahoma in Norman.
- A&M's offensive output of 243 yards was also a season-low and ranks as the lowest since last year's Virginia Tech game (156 yards).
TODAY'S FIRSTS: Sophomore Todd Pegram's first quarter field goal was A&M's first score in Lincoln since 1972...Sophomore Nurahda Manning made his first career start at weakside linebacker. He responded with a career-best seven tackles...Redshirt freshman Courtney Lewis, A&M's leading rusher, made his first career start...Lewis and junior running back Derek Farmer started together for the first time.
FOR THE RECORD: The 12th Man Kickoff Team representative was Beau Adams, a redshirt freshman linebacker from Tomball, Texas...game captains were: senior Sean Weston, sophomore Jaxson Appel, junior Derek Farmer and junior Geoff Hangartner.
NEBRASKA POSTGAME NOTES
- The Huskers scored 20 points in the first quarter and 35 points off eight Texas A&M turnovers to post their 35th straight win on Homecoming in Lincoln. The eight turnovers gained tied the NU school record. No. 18/14 (AP/Coaches) Nebraska improves to 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the Big 12, while Texas A&M drops to 3-4 on the season and 1-2 in conference action. Nebraska quarterback Jammal Lord had his second straight 100-yard rushing game, leading NU with 109 yards and two TDs rushing. NU is now 6-1 against A&M in Lincoln, 9-2 all-time vs. A&M. NU is 5-0 at Memorial Sadium this season and 100-5 in Memorial Stadium in the last 16 seasons. NU Head Coach Frank Solich is now 55-17 in six years and is tied with Coach Tom Osborne for wins in first six seasons. Solich is 3-1 vs. A&M, 2-0 in Lincoln, 31-12 vs. Big 12 schools.
- Ruud records first career interception...Ruud recorded his first career interception and also recorded his 202nd career tackle. He entered the game with 196 and had eight in the game. With his sixth tackle (a sack causing a fumble), he tied his father, Tom (1972-74), for 23rd place on NU's career tackle list. Ruud returned the pick 27 yards for a TD to put the Huskers up 20-3 in the first quarter. Ruud is the first Husker linebacker to return an interception for a touchdown since Carlos Polk returned a pick vs. Colorado on Nov. 24, 2000. It is Ruud's first career interception and second defensive touchdown this season (returned a fumble for a touchdown vs. Oklahoma State in first game this season). Ruud has three fumbles caused this season (five in his career), and 2.5 sacks. The Husker defense has directly scored on turnovers three times this season, twice by Ruud and once by Titus Adams.
- Bullocks Ties School Record...With his seventh interception in seven games this season, Josh Bullocks tied the school record for interceptions in a season. He tied the seven pickoffs by Larry Wachholtz in 1966; Dana Stephenson in 1969; and Bill Kosch in 1970. With 1.0 per game, he continues to lead the nation and is the first since Troy Watchorn in 2000 to have at least one interception in four straight games (Bullocks had two in season opener and none vs. Penn State).
- Quarterback Jammal Lord rushed for a game-high 109 yards on 15 carries and scored twice on runs of 22 and 31 yards. He completed just 2-of-7 passes for 22 yards as the Huskers did not commit any turnovers for the first time in 2002. With his 109 yards rushing today, Lord now has 560 on the season and 2,185 in his career. He moved up from 22nd to 20th on the career rushing chart, passing Monte Anthony (2,077) and quarterback Steve Taylor (2,125) to become the second leading quarterback rusher behind Eric Crouch (3,434). Lord recorded his third 100-yard rushing game of the season (eighth of career) on a 22-yard run at the end of the third quarter. Lord has had back-to-back 100-yard rushing games in the last two games.
- Rushing...As a team, NU had 333 rushing yards just four yards short of the season best of 337 vs. Penn State, marking the second time this season NU has rushed for 300 or more. NU is 194-7 over the last 30 years when rushing for 300 or more.
- Horne hits 1,000 career rushing yards...With his first carry of the second quarter, sophomore I-back David Horne reached 1,004 career yards to become the 53rd Cornhusker to rush for 1,000 career yards. Horne reached 1,000 yards in his 16th career game. Horne had 14 carries for 86 yards today and scored on a one-yard run to give NU a 13-3 lead in the first quarter. Horne now has 403 rushing yards this season and 1,054 in his two-year career.
- Turnovers...Texas A&M 8 (5 int, 3 fumble); Nebraska 0 (0 int., 0 fumble)...The Huskers converted back-to-back interceptions in the first quarter to 14 points. On a QB hurry by Trevor Johnson, Josh Bullocks recorded his seventh pick of the season tying the school record. NU's David Horne scored on a one-yard run five plays later to put NU up 13-3. On A&M's next drive, Barrett Ruud picked off McNeal and returned the interception 27 yards for the score. A&M turned the ball over twice in the second quarter, again on back-to-back drives, when Benard Thomas caused McNeal to fumble and Demorrio Williams recovered (third this season), NU did not convert. On the next drive, Trevor Johnson caused another interception, which Lornell McPherson (second season interception, fourth career) picked off from McNeal, NU did not convert. On Texas A&M's first drive of the second half, McNeal fumbled when sacked by Barrett Ruud (loss of nine yards). Le Kevin Smith recovered and NU scored on a 12-yard run by Davis on the next play. Daniel Bullocks caused and recovered A&M's sixth turnover at NU's 11-yard line, stopping a long A&M drive. Fabian Washington recorded his third interception of the season and seventh of his career when he picked off Dustin Long in the fourth quarter. NU converted the turnover into another seven points six plays later when Joe Dailey hit Isaiah Fluellen on a 29-yard pass. With approximately three minutes remaining in the game, Titus Adams picked off Long and returned the interception three yards for the second score by the defense today (first career interception for Adams). The last time a defensive end scored a touchdown on an interception was Grant Wistrom vs. Michigan State in 1996. The last time NU's defense scored two touchdowns in a game was vs. Arizona State on Aug. 24, 2002. The eight turnovers ties the school record for defensive turnovers gained, by several teams, most recently eight by Colorado State on in 1991. Nebraska has now recorded 16 interceptions this season and has turned 28 turnovers into 96 points (including 35 points today), while opponents have turned 15 turnovers into 28 points. NU has forced at least one turnover in every game this year and has forced at least five turnovers in three games this season (5 vs. Oklahoma State, 5 vs. Southern Miss and season-high 8 vs. A&M). The five interceptions by NU today is the most since NU had six vs. Oklahoma State in 1981 (including two by Jimmy Williams).
- Defense...while NU had 196 at the half and A&M had one less yard at 195 at halftime, the Huskers put up 188 second-half yards, while A&M had just 49. Unofficially, Barrett Ruud led the Blackshirts with eight tackles, including two for losses, one sack, one fumble caused, and a touchdown on a 27-yard interception return. Benard Thomas also had a sack (seven yards lost) as did Andrew Shanle (14 yards, first career sack). Trevor Johnson had five tackles, one for a loss, a breakup and caused two interceptions. A&M has scored one touchdown or less in each of the last five visits to Lincoln, scoring just one offensive touchdown. The entire defense was named the Fox Sports Net Nebraska Players of the Game.
- Points...The 20 first-quarter points are the most by Nebraska since scoring 21 against Texas Tech in Lincoln on Oct. 20, 2001. NU had a season-high 48 points today, the previous high was 38 at Southern Miss, scoring the most points since NU scored 48 vs. Arizona State in the 2002 season opener
- Punter Kyle Larson pinned Texas A&M inside its own 20 four times today (three inside the 10-yard line). He averaged a season-best 49.6 yards on nine punts today. On the season, Larson averages 43.6 yards per punt and has pinned the opponent inside the 20, 16 times (on 35 punts).
- Firsts and bests...Fullback Steve Kriewald had a season-long 16-yard run...Junior tight end Dusty Keiser had his first career catch, a nine-yard reception from Lord...I-back Josh Davis scored his first touchdown of the season on a 12-yard run in the third quarter. After bobbling the first PAT, first-time holder Ross Pilkington was perfect holding the last six. Place-kicker David Dyches hit on all five PAT attempts. The special teams captain of the day, Jerrell Pippens, blocked Todd Pegram's PAT in the fourth quarter. It was the Huskers' second blocked kick this season, first blocked PAT. Fullbacks DeAntae Grixby (1-1) and Andy Wingender (1--1) each had their first carries of the season...Seconds...Backup quarterback Joe Dailey hit Isaiah Fluellen on a 29-yard touchdown pass, the second this season for both Huskers.
- NU Team Highs and Lows: Highs...Points 48 (previous 38 vs. So. Miss); Turnover Margin +8 (previous plus 4); Penalties 77 yards (75 OSU); Lows...Passes completed 3 (4 PSU); Passing Yards 51 (60 PSU); Fumbles lost 0 (ties 0 vs. USM); Turnovers 0 (1 USM); Opponent Highs...Turnovers 8 (5 OSU, 5 USM); Interceptions 5 (3 OSU); Fumbles 4 (ties USU); Fumbles lost 3 (ties USM); the 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown by Jason Carter is the first against the Huskers since Julius Jones of Notre Dame returned a kickoff 100 yards in 2000...Opponent Lows...Completions 9 (11 TSU); Turnover Margin -8 (-4 USM).
- Homecoming...NU has now won 35 straight games on Homecoming. NU has scored 40 or more points in each of the last six Homecomings, including 45 vs. Kansas last year. The royalty was named at halftime with Erin Bader and Jeffrey West, both seniors from Omaha, being crowned queen and king, respectively.
TEXAS A&M POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH DENNIS FRANCHIONE: "We turned the ball over too many times today. We keep hurting ourselves. It almost felt like we were playing with a wet ball out there. It's very disappointing because we prepared very well and the kids fought hard out there. It's not like this offense to turn the ball over as many times as we did. It was a snowball effect out there. We took a step back offensively today. They just made plays all over the field."
On The Defensive Performance Today: "I thought our defense played well today. Well enough for a 24-20 game. They got a number of stops today. You can't keep putting a defense in the positions we did today. You give NU the ball as many times as we did and anybody will struggle against them."
On The Offensive Performance Today: "We have gotten progressively better this season. We did a lot of good things today. It just wasn't our day on the offensive side of the ball."
On Switching Reggie McNeal with Dustin Long: "It was more of a move to settle Reggie down. He had a tough first half with a couple of mistakes, so we sat him to get himself mentally ready for the second half."
On Nebraska's Fans: "Nebraska has good fans. They have a good atmosphere and setting for college football."
QUARTERBACK REGGIE McNEAL: On the game: "We just didn't execute. They just played better than us, and that's about all you can really say."
On A&M's eight turnovers: "That's a part of football. You're going to have some good days, but you're also going to have some bad. We just have to bounce back and get ready for another week."
On A&M's offense compared to last week: "They have a good defensive coach and we felt like they were going to try to balance our offense. That's how we practiced all week, and that's what they did."
WIDE RECEIVER TERRENCE MURPHY: On NU's defense: "They just came out and made more plays than we did."
On A&M's gameplan: "We had everything, going down the field, short routes, a few options. We just didn't execute our offense."
On the game: "We just had a bad day. We have to come back and have a good week of practice."
DEFENSIVE BACK JAXSON APPEL: On A&M youth causing inconsistency: "We could sit here and make that excuse for us, but the fact is that we didn't come out and play. We didn't play consistent enough to win. I'm not going to use that (youth) as an excuse."
On trying to stop the NU offense on a short field: "It doesn't matter how far they have to go, the result is still the same. They did what we thought we had to stop. They ran the option, they passed. We felt prepared coming in, we just didn't execute well enough."
NEBRASKA POSTGAME QUOTES
HEAD COACH FRANK SOLICH: "It's obvious that turnovers played a major part in today's game and we know what that is all about, last week losing the turnover ratio. It can be very costly. I will say this, I thought they were forced turnovers. Our defense put a lot of pressure on them and caused the ball to come out at times. The credit goes to those guys and I think a lot of credit goes to the offense and the special teams too. It might have been our most complete game in terms of what we were able to get done offensively, defensively and on special teams."
"I thought the players responded very well coming off of last week. They practiced extremely well and they wanted to get it done. There are a lot of guys today that made great plays and gave great effort. Brandon Koch did an outstanding job kicking off today. Lane Kelly has been snapping for us for two weeks on punts and he has done a great job. We had some guys really step up in the last couple of weeks. We stepped in and were able to do some good things today. It was good that we got a lot of players some time in the game and that is always very helpful down the road trying to create depth."
On Kyle Larson: "Kyle Larson did a good job punting. It has really come to where it is expected of him. He has been a guy that for two years has been solid. I don't know if there is a better punter around. There might be in terms of average, but when the pressure is on and you need a kick, when it needs to get done, he steps up and does it. He has been great now for a year and half in terms of his punting. I also thought the protection was good today."
On Jammal Lord: "I thought he responded very well, as the rest of our team did. Jammal has been through a lot in his career and it was great to see him really get some things done in a manner that I think is extremely good. You look at what he has done these last couple of games and getting yards after contact and picking up yards and moving the ball. There are not many quarterbacks as physical as he is in the running game. There are a lot of guys with a lot of speed and quickness, but play after play after play he keeps himself on the field and has taken a lot of shots. I've got a lot of respect for what he has been all about."
On the running game: "We are very comfortable with the ball in the hands of any of our guys. They have done a very good job for us. I think that they are going to get their snaps. They may not be getting the 25 snaps average that other I-backs get but they are very successful and when they have the chance to get something done, you are going to get their best effort. They've all got some things about them that are very special. A couple of them got banged up today, but they are going to be fine and they all responded well today. They took care of the ball, and that is the thing that we did today that was excellent We took very good care of the ball in the running game and the passing game."
JERRELL PIPPENS: On special teams play: "Special teams kind of hurt the team last week with the turnovers. We really wanted to take care of the ball and the coaches really called for us to step up and make the play. Last week was a break down and we responded today."
On his effort blocking kicks: "The punt I got in too fast and thought I could get it. Hopefully I'll get my number called again. I was able to get one at the end, it's a sign of things to come. Next time around I'll get it."
On the defense setting the tone: "It was huge. We felt what it was like to be on top, and after last week we were able to respond."
On the eight turnovers: "I don't think we set a goal for turnovers, we just set a goal to go out and win. We got eight, and that shows what a special group of gamers we have. It's self-explanatory. We had eight turnovers. We don't flinch. We take challenges head-on."
BARRETT RUUD: On his touchdown: "It was a blitz and I saw him check off, and I just made the read and got to it. It was a matter of just getting into the end zone. It was kind of a blur."
On the adjustments: "They have a good offense, they are going to make plays. There were a couple of plays that were hard to defend and they were able to make them."
On rebounding from the Missouri loss: "Last week we were disappointed, but we put it behind us and got to work this week. It was a good week of practice, and that's what we have to have if we want to win the Big 12. There are no breaks anymore. You see teams like Kansas and Baylor, they're good teams. You have to show up every week."
JAMMAL LORD: On the game: "The O-Line came out and did a great job today. They came out and set the tone and the backs and receivers, we just followed them."
On if he wanted to throw the ball more: "Yeah, but I don't mind running the ball either. I'm not going to come out and say that I want to throw the ball 18 times, 20 times. If it happens, it happens. If it doesn't, it doesn't. The O-Line set the tone and we rolled."
On Texas A&M's defense: "Like I said, our O-Line did a great job. It starts with them and it ends with them. Today they adjusted to the movements and we were able to make some plays."
On his two touchdown runs: "O-Line again. They got their blocks and I was able to make a couple of cuts and it was daylight."
