GAME 1: Texas A&M (0-0) at Clemson (0-0)
Aug 29, 2005 | Football
August 29, 2005
Texas A&M's game notes for Saturday's season opener at Clemson (a PDF version is available on the link to the right)...
Texas A&M AGGIES (0-0, 0-0 Big 12)
at
Clemson TIGERS (0-0, 0-0 ACC)
THE DETAILS:
KICKOFF --- 7 p.m., Saturday, Sept. 3, 2005
SITE (CAPACITY) --- Clemson Memorial Stadium, Clemson, S.C. (78,973 capacity)
RADIO INFORMATION --- The game will be broadcast regionally 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), former A&M All-America and NFL All-Pro defensive back Dave Elmendorf (commentary) and former Texas A&M SID and local radio personality Tom Turbiville (sideline). The Aggie Radio Network's broadcast can also be heard on SIRIUS College Sports Radio.
TV INFORMATION --- The game will be televised on a split-national basis by ABC. Calling the action will be Gary Thorne (play-by-play), Ed Cunningham (analyst) and Suzy Shuster (sideline).
SERIES INFORMATION --- Texas A&M and Clemson have met just three times previously, with the Aggies winning all three meetings ... Last year, the Aggies handed the Tigers a 27-6 decision at Kyle Field ... Previously, Emory Bellard's Aggies swept a home-and-home series with the Tigers in 1973 and 1974. A&M won 30-15 at Clemson in 1973 and 24-0 in the 1974 season-opener at Kyle Field ... The Aggies are 10-10 all-time against the current 12 members of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
SEASON OPENERS
Texas A&M is 6-4 in its last 10 season-openers, including a 1-1 record under Dennis Franchione. In season-openers away from Kyle Field, A&M is 4-4 dating back to 1990.
In 22 previous season-openers, Franchione has compiled a 15-6-1 record. In season-openers on the road, Franchione's teams have compiled a 7-2 record.
IN THE RANKINGS
Texas A&M enters 2005 with a No. 17 ranking in both the Associated Press and USA Today polls, which is the Aggies' highest preseason ranks since 1999 when they were ranked No. 7 by the AP and No. 8 by the coaches poll. Clemson enters the game unranked but receiving votes in both polls.
MIDNIGHT YELL PRACTICE
The Clemson Midnight Yell Practice is scheduled for midnight on Friday, Sept. 2 at the BI-LO Center in Greenville, S.C. The BI-LO Center, which is located off of I-385, is the site of major concert tours, and the Greenville Riverhawks and Greenville Grrrowl games.
One of a Kind McNeal
Reggie McNeal, who averaged 59.8 rushing yards and 232.6 passing yards per game, was the only quarterback in NCAA Div. I-A football to average more than 55 yards rushing and 230 yards passing in 2004.
In 2004, McNeal set school records for season and career 300-yard total offense games, season passing and total offense and season rushing by a quarterback.
In 2005, McNeal will be in range of A&M's career marks in career total offense, passing yards and rushing yards by a quarterback.
Rare Air for McNeal
Senior quarterback Reggie McNeal is Texas A&M's only 1,000-yard rusher and 4,000-yard passer in its history.
A&M's 1,000-Yard QB Rushers Player, Years Rushing Yds. Bucky Richardson, 1987-89, 91 2,095 Reggie McNeal, 2002-present 1,225 Mike Mosley, 1977-80 1,206 Roddy Osborne, 1955-57 1,188 A&M's 4,000-Yard Passers Rk Player, Years Yards 1. Corey Pullig, 1992-95 6,846 2. Kevin Murray, 1983-86 6,506 3. Edd Hargett, 1966-68 5,379 4. Reggie McNeal, 2002- 5,029 5. Mark Farris, 1999-02 4,949 6. Branndon Stewart, 1996-98 4,325 7. Randy McCown, 1996-99 4,187 8. Gary Kubiak, 1979-82 4,078
Pickoffs Few for McNeal
McNeal set a pair of conference records last season for pass attempts without interception.
Pass Attempts without an Interception 205 by Reggie McNeal, single season (Big 12 record) 213 by Reggie McNeal, overall (Big 12 record)
Reggie Teleconference
Quarterback Reggie McNeal will be available to the media every Tuesday (even off weeks) at 1 p.m. (central) via teleconference. The teleconference is for media use only, so please call the Texas A&M Media Relations office for the phone number and code.
Chart Chaser
Reggie McNeal is chasing a variety of career marks in the A&M record book.
A&M Career Passing Yards Rk Player Yards 1. Corey Pullig, 1992-95 6,846 2. Kevin Murray, 1983-86 6,506 3. Edd Hargett, 1966-68 5,379 4. Reggie McNeal, 2002- 5,029 5. Mark Farris, 1999-02 4,949 A&M Career Passing Touchdowns Rk Player Yards 1. Kevin Murray, 1983-86 48 2. Corey Pullig, 1992-95 47 3. Edd Hargett, 1966-68 40 4. Gary Kubiak, 1979-82 31 5. Reggie McNeal, 2002- 28 A&M Career Pass Completions Rk Player Yards 1. Kevin Murray, 1983-86 534 2. Corey Pullig, 1992-95 533 3. Mark Farris, 1999-02 435 4. Edd Hargett, 1966-68 400 5. Reggie McNeal, 2002- 337 A&M Career Pass Attempts Rk Player Yards 1. Corey Pullig, 1992-95 945 2. Kevin Murray, 1983-86 926 3. Edd Hargett, 1966-68 821 4. Mark Farris, 1999-02 755 5. Branndon Stewart, 1996-98 623 6. Reggie McNeal, 2002- 610 A&M Career Completion Percentage Rk Player Cmp. Pct. 1. Kevin Murray, 1983-86 .577 2. Mark Farris, 1999-02 .576 3. Lance Pavlas, 1987-90 .565 4. Corey Pullig, 1992-95 .564 5. Mike Mosley, 1977-80 .554 6. Reggie McNeal, 2002- .552 A&M Career Total Offense Rk Player Yards 1. Corey Pullig, 1992-95 6,888 2. Kevin Murray, 1983-86 6,455 3. Reggie McNeal, 2002- 6,254 4. Edd Hargett, 1966-68 5,411 5. Darren Lewis, 1987-90 5,162 A&M Career Rushing Yards (by a quarterback) Rk Player Yards 1. Bucky Richardson, 1987-89, 91 2,095 2. Reggie McNeal, 2002- 1,225 3. Mike Mosley, 1977-80 1,206 4. Roddy Osborne, 1955-57 1,188
Prep QBs Excel at WR
Texas A&M has a large number of former high school quarterbacks excelling at wide receiver at the college level. In 2004, three of A&M's top four leading receivers were high school signal-callers, including school record holder Terrence Murphy. In 2005, another former high school quarterback, Pierre Brown, will be added to the wide receiver mix.
HS QBs Making Difference at WR 2004 Player Hometown (HS) Rec./Yds/TD Pierre Brown Duncanville (DHS) Redshirt Senior HS Stats: 1,734 total offense, 23 TDs Jason Carter Caldwell (CHS) 36/468/0 Senior HS Stats: 1,646 total offense, 18 TDs +L'Tydrick Riley Crockett (CHS) 20/285/1 Senior HS Stats: 1,717 total offense, 24 TDs Chad Schroeder Austin (Westlake) 4/135/2 Senior HS Stats: 3,436 total offense, 37 TDs + - Injured during fall camp, will miss the 2005 season.
Returning Starters
The Aggies return a wealth of talent with starting experience on both offense and defense. On offense, 10 Aggies return who made at least five starts, while nine players with at least four starts return for the defense. Among the specialists, the placekicker, kickoff specialist, snapper, holder and both primary return men return.
Starting Power Off. Starters Returning Pos '04 Starts Jason Carter WR 5 Aldo De La Garza OG 12 Kirk Elder OG 11 Jami Hightower OT 12 Courtney Lewis RB 9 Reggie McNeal QB 12 DeQawn Mobley WR 11 Boone Stutz TE 8 Earvin Taylor WR 9 Chris Yoder OC 12 Def. Starters Returning Pos '04 Starts Jaxson Appel FS 12 Japhus Brown SS 10 Red Bryant DT 12 Lee Foliaki SLB 8 Renuel Greene WLB 8 Jason Jack DE 11 Johnny Jolly DT 12 Archie McDaniel MLB 4 Justin Warren MLB 9
Returning Lettermen
Texas A&M returns 46 lettermen from 2004's Cotton Bowl squad and lost just 20 letterwinners. The Aggies return 19 defensive lettermen while losing 13. Offensively, A&M returns 24 offensive lettermen and lost 6. Among the specialists, A&M returns three and lost one.
Returnees Class Breakdown Class Lettermen Returning Senior 19 Junior 15 Sophomore 12 Scholarship Redshirt Freshmen 15
Turnover Advantage
During the Dennis Franchione era at Texas A&M, the Aggies are 9-0 in games with a turnover margin advantage. In games with an even or minus turnover margin, the Aggies are 2-13, with 13 consecutive losses in those contests.
Games with Turnover Advantage, Fran Era Opponent, Year Turn Take +/- Result Baylor, 2003 -2 +4 +2 W, 73-10 Kansas, 2003 -1 +3 +2 W, 45-33 Wyoming, 2004 0 +3 +3 W, 31- 0 Clemson, 2004 0 +4 +4 W, 27- 6 Kansas St., 2004 1 +4 +3 W, 42-30 at Iowa St., 2004 0 +2 +2 W, 34- 3 at Oklahoma St., 2004 0 +2 +2 W, 36-20 Colorado, 2004 0 +2 +2 W, 29-26 (ot) Texas Tech, 2004 0 +3 +3 W, 32-25 (ot)
Pegram Seeks FG Mark
Placekicker Todd Pegram, a second-team All-Big 12 pick, made 12-of-13 field goals in 2004 and enters his senior season on pace to set the school record for field goal accuracy. Pegram has connected on 41-of-56 three-point tries during his career and is tied with Terrence Kitchens (30-of-41) for career accuracy. On the career field goals made list, Pegram ranks No. 6 going into his senior campaign and is just two three-pointers out of third-place on the list. He has an outside chance of catching career leader Kyle Bryant, who booted 60 from 1994-97.
A&M's Career FG Accuracy List Rk Player, Year FG % 1. Todd Pegram, 2002- .732 Terence Kitchens, 1998-00 .732 3. Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 .706 4. Terry Venetoulias, 1990-93 .700 5. Scott Slater, 1985-88 .689 A&M's Career FGs Made List Rk Player, Year FG % 1. Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 60 2. Tony Franklin, 1975-78 56 3. David Hardy, 1979-82 43 4. Terry Venetoulias, 1990-93 42 Scott Slater, 1985-88 42 6. Todd Pegram, 2002- 41
Lewis Climbs Rush Chart
Entering his third season as a starter, Courtney Lewis enters his junior year as A&M's No. 16 career rusher.
A&M's All-Time Rushing Yards List Rk Player, Years Yards 1. Darren Lewis, 1987-90 5,012 ------------------ 8. Johnny Hector, 1979-82 2,587 9. Roger Vick, 1983-86 2,471 10. Leeland McElroy, 1993-95 2,442 11. Bob Smith, 1949-51 2,415 12. Bucky Richardson, 1987-91 2,095 13. Sirr Parker, 1995-98 2,042 14. Skip Walker, 1972-75 1,878 15. D'Andre Hardeman, 1995-98 1,774 16. Courtney Lewis, 2003- 1,766
Spreading It Around
The Aggies had 16 different receivers with at least one catch, which is a school record.
Mr. Versatility
No player in the history of the Big 12 Conference or Texas A&M has shown as much versatility as the Aggies' Jason Carter. The senior wide receiver from Caldwell, Texas is the only player in conference history to log at least one pass, catch, rushing attempt and return in three consecutive seasons.
Last season was clearly Carter's coming out party with 36 catches for 468 yards, nine rushes for 68 yards, 1-of-2 passing for 23 yards and 18 kickoff returns for 330 yards.
Early Arrivals
Four members of Coach Fran's nationally-ranked signing class enrolled in January and went through spring drills - junior college tranfer Henry Smith (DT) and freshmen Michael Bennett (DE), Kellen Heard (DT) and Keondra Smith (RB). Bennett even worked out with the Aggies prior to the Cotton Bowl in 2004.
Here's the Beef!!
The late Clara Peller wasn't referring to football players when she asked "Where's the beef?" in the famous Wendy's TV spots of the mid-1980s, but the 2005 Aggies would be a correct answer.
The Aggies have 20 300-pounder players on the 2005 105-man roster, which is easily the most in school history.
300-Pounders since 1990 Year 300-Pounders 2005 20 2004 14 2003 15 2002 12 2001 6 2000 5 1999 7 1998 7 1997 3 1996 5 1995 2 1994 1 1993 0 1992 1 1991 0 1990 0
Aggies on the Watch Lists
A large number of Aggies have been mentioned on the "watch lists" for various national awards.
Recognized Aggies Player, Pos. Award Reggie McNeal, QB Davey O'Brien Award Unitas Golden Arm Award Maxwell Award Walter Camp Player of the Year Jaxson Appel, DB Chuck Bednarik Award Thorpe Award Todd Pegram, PLK Lou Groza Placekicker Award Chris Yoder, OL Rimington Trophy Lee Foliaki, LB Butkus Award Justin Warren, LB Butkus Award Courtney Lewis, RB Doak Walker Award
Active Tacklers
Led by preseason All-American Jaxson Appel's 289 career tackles, four Aggie defenders top the century mark in career stops.
A&M Active Career Tackles Leaders Rk Player Tackles 1. Jaxson Appel, DB, 2002- 289 2. Johnny Jolly, DL, 2002- 165 3. Archie McDaniel, LB, 2002- 161 4. Ronald Jones, DB, 2002- 124 5. Justin Warren, LB, 2003- 90
Starting Point
The Aggies have 28 players with at least one career start to their credit, including 16 with double digit starts. Leading the way is preseason All-American Jaxson Appel with 33 starts, while Jami Hightower is the offense's most experienced player with 29.
A&M Active Career Starts Leaders Rk Player Starts 1. Jaxson Appel, DB, 2002- 33 2. Jami Hightower, OL, 2002- 29 3. Aldo De La Garza, OL, 2002- 24 4. Johnny Jolly, DL, 2002- 24 5. Reggie McNeal, QB, 2002- 24 6. Justin Warren, LB, 2003- 16 7. David Ross, DL, 2002- 14 8. Red Bryant, DL, 2004- 12 9. Ronald Jones, DB, 2002- 12 10. Alex Kotzur, OL, 2003 12 11. Chris Yoder, OL, 2004- 12 12. Kirk Elder, OL, 2004- 11 13. Jason Jack, DL, 2004- 11 14. DeQawn Mobley, WR, 2004 11 15. Japhus Brown, DB, 2004- 10 16. Courtney Lewis, RB, 2003 10 17. Lee Foliaki, LB, 2004- 8 18. Renuel Greene, LB, 2004- 8 19. Boone Stutz, TE, 2004- 8 20. Earvin Taylor, WR, 2003- 8 21. Archie McDaniel, LB, 2002- 7 22. Quinlin Germany, TE, 2003- 6 23. Jason Carter, WR, 2002- 6 24. Nurahda Manning, LB, 2003- 4 25. Taylor Schuster, OL, 2003- 2 26. Melvin Bullitt, DB, 2003- 2 27. Joey Thomas, TE, 2004 2 28. Dominique Steamer, OL, 2002- 1
Protecting the Football
Texas A&M finished the 2004 season with just 13 turnovers in 12 games, which ranked in a tie for No. 7 nationally and set a school record. The old school mark was 15 turnovers lost by 1992 (12 games) and 1998 teams (13 games).
Family Affair
The Aggies have a number of players with family connections to Texas A&M athletics.
Junior Melvin Bullitt's father, Jerry, was a standout linebacker at A&M from 1980-83 and his uncle, Steve, was a linebacker from 1983-86.
Sophomore Chris Harrington is the nephew of former A&M two-sport All-American Dave Elmendorf. Elmendorf, who had an All-Pro career with the Los Angeles Rams, currently serves as the color analyst for the Aggie Radio Network.
Senior L'Tydrick Riley's uncle, Claude Riley ranks as one of the greatest basketball players in A&M history. The "Crockett Rockett" still ranks No. 6 in points and No. 3 in rebounds in the Aggie record book.
Junior Earvin Taylor's older brother, Jamaar, caught 108 passes for 1,705 yards from 2001-03 and currently plays for the New York Giants.
Brothers Michael and Martellus Bennett are in their first seasons with the Aggies. Michael enrolled in January and could be a factor in the defensive line rotation, and Martellus was one of the nation's highest rated recruits and intends on playing football and basketball for the Aggies.
While Texas A&M has a history of brothers playing for the Aggies, very few have been on the same team like the Bennetts. If the Bennetts both see action against Clemson, they will join the Taylor brothers in 2003 and the Webb brothers, Richmond and James in 1988-89, as the only brothers playing in the same game in recent memory.
Leadership Council '05
Every spring after spring drills, the Aggies vote on the Leadership Council, which head coach Dennis Franchione brought to Texas A&M in 2003. The Leadership Council, which Franchione first established as head coach at New Mexico, consists of players who serve in an advisory role.
"These players are selected by their teammates and they are an input group, not a policy-making group," Coach Fran said. "Input from our players is very important in determining the way we operate."
Entering their third seasons on the Leadership Council are Archie McDaniel, Jaxson Appel and Reggie McNeal. Other repeat members are Ty Branyon, Red Bryant, Aldo De La Garza, Jami Hightower and Johnny Jolly.
Leadership Council Player, Pos. Cl.-Exp Hometown Archie McDaniel, LB Sr-3L Bay City, Texas Jaxson Appel, DB Sr-3L Friendswood, Texas Johnny Jolly, DL Sr-3L Houston, Texas Red Bryant, DL So-1L Jasper, Texas Aldo De La Garza, OL Sr-3L New Braunfels, Texas Ty Branyon, QB Jr-1L Austin, Texas Jami Hightower, OL Sr-3L Jacksonville, Texas Reggie McNeal, QB Sr-3L Lufkin, Texas DeQawn Mobley, WR Sr-1L The Bronx, N.Y. Jason Carter, WR Sr-3L Caldwell, Texas Boone Stutz, TE Sr-1L Arlington, Texas Courtney Lewis, DB Jr-2L Houston, Texas Trey Brooks, DB Sr-SQ Georgetown, Texas
A&M Produces NFL talent
With 42 former players on National Football League initial training camp rosters, Texas A&M ranks as the Big 12 Conference's top producers of NFL talent.
Big 12's Top Producers of NFL Talent School Players Texas A&M 42 Nebraska 42 Oklahoma 35 Kansas State 34 Colorado 33 Texas 25 Missouri 17 Oklahoma State 14 Texas Tech 14 Baylor 11 Iowa State 8 Kansas 9
Fall Camp Update
Senior wide receiver L'Tydrick Riley suffered a torn ACL in left knee and will miss the 2005 season. Riley will redshirt and return in 2006.
Signee Gremon Coffman was not certified eligible by the NCAA, and will not play for the Aggies in 2005.
Defensive back Jordan Chambless switched his jersey number from #10 to #5.
Senior wide receiver Jesse Woods' playing career ended when he was put on medical hardship due to a knee injury.
Sophomore wide receiver Keith Dickerson suffered a knee injury during fall camp and will miss the 2005 season. It was his fourth knee injury (two to each knee) by Dickerson dating back to his senior season at LaMarque High School.
Sophomore transfer cornerback Marquis Carpenter switched jersey numbers from #40 to #13.
Coach Fran Ranks Among the Winningest Coaches
The 26th head football coach in Texas A&M history, Dennis Franchione is entering his third season in Aggieland and his 23rd season as a collegiate head coach.
With a career record of 166-87-2 as a head coach, Coach Fran ranks as the sixth-winningest active Div. 1-A head coach in college football (by total wins).
Texas A&M is the seventh stop for Franchione as a collegiate head coach, and has coached previously at Southwestern (Kan.) College (1981-82), Pittsburg State (1985-89), Southwest Texas State (1990-91), New Mexico (1992-97), TCU (1998-2000) and Alabama (2001-02).He also served as an assistant coach at Kansas State (1978-80) and Tennessee Tech (1983-84).
Franchione has won eight conference championships and a divisional crown in his 22 seasons. In 2002, Franchione's Alabama squad had the best record in the SEC West but were ineligible for the crown.
Winningest Active Div. I-A Coaches (by Victories) Rk Coach, School Yrs. Wins 1. Bobby Bowden, Florida St. 39 351 2. Joe Paterno, Penn St. 39 343 3. Frank Beamer, Va. Tech 24 177 4. Chris Ault, Nevada 20 168 5. Ken Hatfield, Rice 26 167 6. Dennis Franchione, A&M 22 166 7. Fisher DeBerry, Air Force 21 161 8. Mack Brown, Texas 21 156 9. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina 15 142 10. Mike Price, UTEP 23 137 Career Conference Crowns (by current Big 12 Coaches) Head Coach, School Yrs. Titles Dennis Franchione, Texas A&M 22 8 Gary Barnett, Colorado 15 3 Bob Stoops, Oklahoma 6 3 Gary Pinkel, Missouri 14 1 Bill Snyder, Kansas State 16 1 Bill Callahan, Nebraska 1 none Mark Mangino, Kansas 3 none Guy Morriss, Baylor 4 none Les Miles, Oklahoma State 4 none Mike Leach, Texas Tech 5 none Dan McCarney, Iowa State 10 none Mack Brown, Texas 20 none
The complete release can be downloaded in PDF format.
