November 01, 2003
Jaxson Appel scored on a 5-yard fumble return in a 24-point third quarter that allowed Texas A&M to pull away for a 45-33 victory over Kansas on Saturday.
Texas A&M (4-5, 2-3 Big 12) spoiled the debut of Jayhawks freshman Adam Barmann, who was 25-of-37 for 294 yards and four touchdowns and ran for another. He shed his redshirt status with starter Bill Whittemore sidelined by a shoulder injury.
The teams alternated first-half touchdowns and were tied 14-14 when Appel scored on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter. Receiver Derrick Mills ran left to take an inside handoff, bobbled the ball, shifted right and fumbled on a hit by A&M's Byron Jones. Appel picked up the ball and sprinted into the end zone.
The Aggies then scored on their three possessions of the quarter, getting a 22-yard field goal from Todd Pegram, a 25-yard TD run by Courtney Lewis and a 2-yard dive off a second effort by Derek Farmer. A&M led 38-20 by the end of the period.
A&M's Reggie McNeal, who missed some time with an apparent left leg injury in the first half, finished 11-of-18 for 259 yards and a touchdown and ran for 71 yards and another score. Lewis rushed for 120 yards on 26 carries.
Kansas coach Mark Mangino turned to Barmann, a prized recruit out of Missouri, after fellow backups Brian Luke and John Nielsen didn't fare well in last week's 42-6 loss to rival Kansas State. Barmann set a Kansas freshman record for yards passing and did not throw an interception until the final minute.
The Jayhawks (5-4, 2-3) were seeking a sixth victory, which make them bowl eligible for the first time since 1995.
McNeal threw for 30 yards and ran for 20 on A&M's opening drive, which Keith Joseph capped with an 8-yard TD run.
Barmann struck back quickly, tying the game at 7 on his third collegiate play when he hit Clark Green on a middle screen and Green did the rest, following blockers then juking cornerback Byron Jones for a 48-yard scoring play.
The teams traded touchdowns the in second quarter as well. McNeal followed a 38-yard pass to Terrence Murphy with a 4-yard TD scamper, then Barmann drove Kansas 80 yards on 10 plays and pushed his way in from the 1 to knot the score at 14.