A&M Cruises to 36-20 win at No. 15 OSU

Saturday, October 16

Stillwater, Okla.

TBA

Texas A&M

5-1 , 3-0

(#15) Oklahoma State

5-1 , 2-1

1st

2nd

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Texas A&M

Oklahoma State

Oct 16, 2004 | Football

Box Score

By: Texas A&M Athletics

October 16, 2004

Reggie McNeal threw two touchdown passes and ran for two more scores to help No. 23 Texas A&M beat No. 15 Oklahoma State 36-20 on Saturday night.

The Aggies bolted out to a 20-0 lead as Oklahoma State made uncharacteristic mistakes with a string of early penalties and turnovers.

After Oklahoma State quarterback Donovan Woods cut it to 20-6 with a 2-yard touchdown run with 33 seconds left in the second quarter, McNeal launched a 55-yard touchdown pass to DeQawn Mobley on the final play of the half.

McNeal then added a 25-yard TD pass to Terrence Murphy on the Aggies' first possession of the second half and a 52-yard connection between the two set up a 25-yard field goal by Todd Pegram that made it 36-6 midway through the third quarter.

Vernand Morency scored on a 1-yard dive on the first play of the fourth quarter and Billy Bajema caught a 4-yard touchdown pass from Woods as the Cowboys pulled to 36-20 with 8:58 to play, but they could get no closer.

McNeal was 19-of-25 for 288 yards and ran for 98 yards for the Aggies (5-1, 3-0 Big 12), who recorded their first five-game winning streak since opening the 2001 season 5-0. They're tied for the Big 12 South lead with Oklahoma.

Morency, who entered the game as the nation's leading rusher with 173.8 yards per game, had 111 yards on 28 carries for Oklahoma State (5-1, 2-1), but also lost his first two fumbles of the season on consecutive possessions in the first half. Another drive stalled after a holding penalty, and A&M took advantage of the mistakes.

The Cowboys struggled to contain McNeal, who entered the game as the only NCAA quarterback averaging at least 70 yards rushing and 200 yards passing.

McNeal had touchdown runs of 24 and 3 yards and fullback Keith Joseph added a 3-yard dive as the Aggies scored on three of their first four possessions.

It appeared the Aggies would take a two-touchdown lead into halftime as they ran on three straight plays with time running out, but Taylor Schuster picked up a third-down fumble by McNeal and advanced it for a first down to put A&M within striking distance.

McNeal launched the high-arcing pass and Murphy leaped inside the 5 to tip the ball to Mobley, who dove to catch it in the end zone.

Woods finished with 202 yards on 15-for-26 passing.

Texas A&M Postgame Notes

MCNEAL KEYS INTERCEPTION-FREE RECORD --- The Aggies stretched their interception-free streak to 181 attempts without a pickoff against the Cowboys, which breaks the school record of 177 set by quarterback Edd Hargett and the Aggies over a five-game span in 1968. Three A&M quarterbacks threw passes during the streak, which dates back to the second half of last season's season finale against Texas --- Reggie McNeal (157 attempts in 2003-04), Ty Branyon (17 attempts in 2004) and Dustin Long (seven attempts in 2003).

AGGIES WIN TURNOVER BATTLE --- Oklahoma State and Texas A&M came into the game ranked Nos. 1 and 2 nationally, respectively, in turnover margin, but the Aggies won the turnover-takeway battle on Saturday. The Aggies were turnover-free for the school-record fifth time this season, while forcing two OSU turnovers with strips of national rushing leader Vernand Morency. A&M has now gained 15 turnovers in 2004, and have lost just one turnover.

FIRST ROAD WIN OVER RANKED OPPONENT OF FRAN ERA --- The 36-20 victory over the No. 16-ranked Cowboys was the Aggies' first road victory over a ranked opponent of the Dennis Franchione era. It was A&M's first victory over a ranked foe on the road since the Aggies beat No. 16 Colorado, 16-10, in Boulder in 1997.

It was the fifth straight victory for the Aggies, which matches their longest win streak since opening the 2001 season 5-0.

MASTERFUL MCNEAL --- A&M quarterback Reggie McNeal turned in masterful performance against the Cowboys, rolling up a career-high 386 yards of total offense, which ranks No. 3 in school history. His previous career high was 342 against Wyoming from earlier this year. McNeal posted the No. 2 passing day of his career with 288 yards on 19-of-25 passing, and he rushed for 98 yards on 14 carries. It was the fourth 300-yard plus total offense output of the season for McNeal, which is a school record, and the fifth of his career, which is a school record.

MURPHY'S BACK --- Senior wide receiver Terrence Murphy posted the second 100-yard receiving game of his season with his 5-catch, 104-yard performance against the Cowboys. It also marked the eighth 100-yard receiving game of his career, which is a school record. Murphy is also the school record holder in career catches and yards (138 catches for 2,276 yards).

SEASON-BEST NIGHT FOR YOUNG --- Senior punter Jacob Young had his season-best punting game against the Cowboys, averaging 50.2 yards on four boots. It was Young's first 50-yard plus average game since he debuted with a 59.5 average against Arkansas State in 2003 (in relief of the injured Cody Scates). It was Young's first 40-yard plus game of the 2004 season.

REGGIE USES ALL HIS WEAPONS --- A&M quarterback Reggie McNeal's nine first-half completions were distributed to eight different receivers (six wide receivers, one tight end and one running back). For the game, 10 different receivers posted catches against the Cowboys.

POINTS AFTER TURNOVERS --- The Aggies had two takeaways that were converted into seven points against the Cowboys. For the season, A&M has a 59-3 advantage in points after turnovers.

RED ZONE CHANCES --- A&M were successful on three trips into the red zone (inside the OSU 20) and produced two touchdowns and a field goal. A&M has scored on 18 straight trips into the opponents' redzone with 14 touchdowns.

TWO MORE NEW OFFENSIVE STARTERS --- Making their 2004 starting debuts on the A&M offense were veterans Jason Carter (second start of his career) and Terrence Thomas (sixth career start). The pair started along with fellow wideouts Terrence Murphy, DeQawn Mobley and Earvin Taylor as the Aggie offense opened the game in a five-wide set for the first time in 2004. A&M has now used 17 different offensive starters in six games.

MISCELLANEOUS --- It was the Aggies third straight 30-point plus scoring effort, and the fourth this season. The Aggies surpassed the 30-point barrier just twice in 2003. ... The Aggies' 21-point halftime lead was their largest since the Baylor game of 2003 when A&M held a 38-10 advantage after two quarters. ... Game captains were Terrence Murphy, Archie McDaniel, Red Bryant and Jami Hightower. The Aggies won the toss and deferred to the second half. ... The 12th Man Kickoff Team representative was John Ray, a sophomore from Giddings, Texas. Ray has been the 12th Man in every game this season, and once (vs. Oklahoma) in 2003.

Texas A&M Postgame Quotes

HEAD COACH DENNIS FRANCHIONE

(On the game) "First off, you have to talk about the defense. We gave them a little over 300. Morency got 111, but we made him do it in 30 carries. We got the turnovers tonight, something that we had not done."

"Offensively, we scored on the first drive of the game and of the second half. The hail mary was a bonus in there at the end of the half. We made them pay for calling time outs on us. We played a fine team, nationally ranked and on the road. We played very sound and solid football. We played solid in the kicking game, for the most part. We played solid offense and solid defense and that is how we have to play."

(On the spread offense) "We felt like, with Reggie (McNeal) and our other skill guys that it was something that would be good for us. It has been good for us this year. I think we used it a little bit more tonight. I felt like we would need to mix it up and keep them off balance and we did that."

(On the drive before the end of the half) "When we got the ball back when Taylor Schuster makes a heads up play and we got the ball there, we have two or three different little things that we can do, why not take a shot? It is going to be the last play of the half. I told our offense during the time out that if it does happen to be intercepted, we have to tackle them, but lets take a shot at it. If they would not have taken the time outs, I would have taken a knee and just gone in."

(On gaining momentum) "This is a tremendous physical game, but it is also such a tremendous mental game. Right now, we are a team with some chemistry, positive feelings, self-esteem and a belief system that we are going to find a way. We are a team and we are doing the things that a team on a roll does. They were that team going into this game, but tonight we were."

(On Reggie McNeal's improved play this season) "I think that the biggest reason is that he is a junior and has played in more games. He has been in the same offense for his second year in a row. We have been able to expand it. He has worked extremely hard. He came back in January with a much more mature, positive outlook on things. His supporting cast is playing well around him. Those are all reasons. If I had to say just one, it would be the maturity."

OFFENSIVE LINEMAN GEOFF HANGARTNER

(On the team's progress) "We are definitely not where we want to be yet as a team, or where we think we can go. It shows you how far we have come as a team. We have put ourselves 3-0 in the Big 12, 5-1 on the season with five straight wins. It definitely shows the improvement we have made as a team."

RECEIVER JASON CARTER

(On the team's momentum) "Coach said we have not played our best football yet. We as players believe we have not played it yet. We had a few errors, I know I dropped one pass I should have caught, but we came right back the next drive and scored. We are in a groove right now."

(On leading the Big 12) "It feels great, because last year at this time we were last. The fans were awesome, they traveled the whole way and didn't leave, and we gave them something to cheer about. It feels real good, I can't even explain how it feels."

RECEIVER TERRENCE MURPHY

"I think back to the Utah game, when I told everyone at the press conference that this was not the team we were going to finish the season with. It shows every game the way we play hard and stick together. I think we have a lot of talent on this team, we are two deep at every position, and we are showing that every week."

Oklahoma State Postgame Notes

OSU dropped its home conference opener for the first time since October 6, 2001. (41-38 triple-overtime loss to Missouri).
Oklahoma State's two-game win streak over Texas A&M ended tonight. The Aggies extended their series lead to 14-6.
The game was OSU's first sellout in four home contests this year and first since facing Texas Tech on Homecoming in 2003.
Vernand Morency (28 rushes, 111 yards, one TD) scored a touchdown in his ninth straight game and went over the 100-yard rushing mark for the eighth straight regular season game. He also fumbled for the first time this season.
Donovan Woods scored his sixth rushing touchdown of the year. He was 15-of-26 for 202 yards (all career highs) with one touchdown pass.
Billy Bajema caught his first touchdown pass of the season and first since scoring against Kansas State on October 11, 2003. His five receptions is a new career high.
D'Juan Woods' 92 receiving yards is a new career high.
Charlie Johnson caught his first two passes of the season tonight.
Oklahoma State blocked an extra point for first time since Kansas State on October 12, 2002.
The 27 points Texas A&M scored in the first half is the most points OSU has allowed for an entire game all season. It's the most first half points OSU has allowed since Texas Tech scored 28 on November 9, 2002.
Jason Ricks missed his second extra point of the season.

Oklahoma State Postgame Quotes

HEAD COACH LES MILES

(On the game) "You can not spot a good football team possessions. You can not start out your game by making mistakes. The poise of our team is what we have to address. They have to relax and play ball. The story is that we did not come out and play well. The good news is that in the second half they responded and did smarter things."

(On Morency's fumbles) "We will review and critique them more significantly after tomorrow. He needs to have better ball security and he understands that. He is an awfully good back and maybe he was trying to do too much."

(On the touchdown to end the half) "It is kind of the same play we made at Colorado just before half. I liked our chances on that play, but the ball tipped so many times. I have been on both ends of that thing."

(On what the touchdown did to the momentum) "I came into the locker room and our guys were ready for the second half. They were disappointed, certainly. They understood the mistakes that they made, but they couldn't wait to play. The wanted to get out of the locker room. I see resolve in this team. I see character. That is what will eventually be tested the rest of the season."

(On Reggie McNeal) "He is awfully talented. Every throw was pretty much on the money. He out threw coverage at times. They have a nice scheme on offense that allows him to make plays with his feet."

SAFETY JAMIE THOMPSON

(On the loss to Texas A&M) "We made some mistakes that they capitalized on. They did things better than us. They came and won the game."

(On the A&M offense) "Their offense was good because they came out and connected on a couple of scoring drives early in the ball game. We just made some key mistakes in the first half."

SAFETY JON HOLLAND

(On Reggie McNeal) "He is a very good athlete and quarterback. He just read the defense and switched up on things to make a play on us."

(On the loss) "We came out slow and we had to make some adjustments in the second half to cut their lead down. I got down on myself in the first half and you can't do that because if you do, the game might end like how it did tonight."

TIGHT END BILLY BAJEMA

(On the A&M defense) "We watched them on film and they have a good defense. They have got a lot of talent. They are big and strong across the board and it was just a matter of time. They got it done today and we didn't. We are going to bounce back and look forward to next week against Missouri."