October 09, 2006
Game notes for Saturday's Big 12 game against Missouri (PDF link to the right)...
GAME 7:
Missouri TIGERS (6-0, 2-0 Big 12)
at
Texas A&M AGGIES (5-1, 1-1 Big 12)
| GAME INFO |
| Saturday, Oct. 14, 2:30 p.m. (CDT) Kyle Field (82,600), College Station Ticket Info: |
| RECORDS |
| Texas A&M: 5-1, 1-1 Big 12 Missouri: 6-0, 2-0 Big 12 |
| RANKINGS |
| A&M is receiving votes in the latest USA Today poll. Mizzou is ranked 19th by the Associated Press and 21st by USA Today. |
| TELEVISION |
| Gary Thorne, play-by-play Andre Ware, commentary Dave Lamont, sidelines |
| RADIO |
| WTAW-AM 1620 (Local) Dave South, play-by-play Dave Elmendorf, commentary Tom Turbiville, sidelines (broadcast time 1:30 p.m. CDT) |
| INTERNET |
| Live Audio (Free): (Aggies All-Access) Live Stats: (aggieathletics.com) Live Postgame Press Conference Video (Free): (Aggies All-Access) |
| SERIES |
| A&M leads, 6-2 Last Meeting: (11/15/03) Last at Kyle: (11/16/02) |
| UP NEXT |
| A&M at Oklahoma State Saturday, Oct. 21, 6:05 p.m. Boone Pickens Stadium, Stillwater, Okla. TV: None Tickets: |
MCGEE EARNS BIG 12 PLAYER OF THE WEEK NOD
Sophomore quarterback Stephen McGee earned the first Big 12 Player of the Week award of his career on Oct. 9 after engineering a pair of 80-yard, fourth-quarter scoring drives in the Aggies' 21-18 win over Kansas. He led A&M on a 12-play drive in the closing minutes by converting three third down passes including a 35-yard strike to set up the game winning touchdown with 0:34 left. McGee completed 25-of-45 attempts, with no interceptions, for 240 yards on the day.
SERIES INFORMATION
Texas A&M leads the all-time series with Missouri, 6-2, but the Tigers have taken the past two games against the Aggies ... The two teams have split the four meetings since the formation of the Big 12 with the Aggies sweeping the home-and-home in 1998 and 1999 and the Tigers returning the favor in 2002 and 2003 ... The last time the Tigers came to College Station was 2002 for Reggie McNeal's first career start at quarterback. McNeal suffered a sprained ankle early in the game and was lost for the season. The Tigers went on to a 38-31 victory in overtime. ... The first meeting between the schools came in 1957, which was John David Crow's Heisman season at Texas A&M (28-0 victory for A&M).
TIGERS COME TO KYLE
The Aggies (5-1, 1-1 vs. Big 12) will host the undefeated and Top 25-ranked Missouri Tigers in a 2:30 p.m. game at Kyle Field on Saturday. Both teams are coming off solid Big 12 road victories last Saturday with the Aggies taking a 21-18 win at Kansas and the Tigers knocking off Texas Tech, 38-21, in Lubbock.
At 6-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big 12, the Tigers will be the seventh undefeated team (4-0 or better) to visit Kyle Field since 1990. The Aggies are 3-3 in the six previous games with an average score of 31.0-29.8 in favor of A&M.
Undefeated Teams at Kyle (4-0 or better since 1990) Year Opponent (Record) Score 2006 Missouri (6-0) ?? 2005 Texas (10-0) L, 29-40 2004 Oklahoma (8-0) L, 35-42 2002 Oklahoma (8-0) W, 30-26 2000 Oklahoma (8-0) L, 31-35 2000 Texas Tech (4-0) W, 33-15 1998 Nebraska (5-0) W, 28-21
BOWL ELIGIBILITY
The Aggies will be seeking their sixth win of the season against Missouri, which would make A&M bowl eligible for the 19th time in the last 22 seasons. Since 1985, the Aggies have played in 15 bowl games, including nine New Year's Day bowls.
DEFENSIVE IMPROVEMENT
With half the season in the books, it is clear the Aggie defense has made significant strides against the pass from 2005 to 2006:
The Year After 2006 Category 2005 50.8% Completion % 60.6% 16.1 Completions/Game 21.9 31.8 Attempts/Game 36.2 5.6 Yards Gained/Attempt 6.6 27.4% Third Down Conversions 44.4 179.5 Yards/Game 304.6 105.38 Pass Efficiency 142.66
3rd DOWN TURNAROUND
The Aggies have made huge strides in third-down situations, both offensively and defensively.
On offense, the Aggies are converting their third-down tries at an impressive 51.3 percent clip (41-of-80), which is a significant improvement over last year's 40.4 percent success rate.
Defensively, the Aggies have limited their opponents to a 27.4 percent success rate on third-down tries in 2006. Last year, opponents converted 44.4 percent of their third-down situations against the A&M defense.
In their last three games against Louisiana Tech, Texas Tech and Kansas, the Aggie defense has held the opponents to a 16 percent success rate on third down (6-36.)
Aggies Stay On/Getting Off the Field 2006 Third Downs 2005 50.8% 3rd Down Offense 40.4% 27.4% 3rd Down Defense 44.4%
KO RETURN IMPROVEMENT
Led by junior Kerry Franks, the Aggies have improved from one of the nation's worst kickoff return units in 2005 into one of the nation's best in 2006.
In 2005, the Aggies ranked No. 109 of 117 teams nationally with a 17.5 kickoff return average. After six games in 2006, the Aggies are averaging a lofty 33.8 yards per return.
The speedy Franks tallied the Aggies first kickoff return touchdown since 2003 against Texas Tech with a spectacular 99-yard jaunt. Franks' 36.8 kickoff return average leads the Big 12 Conference and ranks No. 3 nationally.
Starting Point 2006 Kickoff Returns 2005 33.8 Kickoff Return Average 17.5 No. 2 Big 12 Rank No. 12 No. 3 NCAA Rank No. 109
COUNT ON THE J-TRAIN
When the game is on the line, sophomore Jorvorskie Lane has proven that he can be counted on to get the tough yard.
Through six games, Lane has produced either a first down or a touchdown 16 times on 19 carries on third or fourth down.
In all, Lane has pounded his way to 23 first downs and 13 touchdowns on his 74 carries in 2006. At his current pace, Lane would score 26 touchdowns in the Aggies' 12-game regular season. The Aggies' school record for touchdowns in a season is 19 by Joel Hunt (1927) and Darren Lewis (1990).
Lane has rushed or passed for a touchdown in eight straight games.
"*Money Plays" for Lane Train Situation 1st Down TD $ Attempts 1st down rush 6 4 10 38 2nd down rush 4 4 7 17 3rd down rush 10 5 13 115 4th down rush 3 0 3 4 Total 23 13 33 74 * - "Money Plays" are defined as plays resulting in a first down or a touchdown.
200 / 200 OFFENSE
Texas A&M is one of four teams nationally that is passing and rushing for over 200 yards per game in 2006. Those four teams have combined for a 20-3 record.
200 Rushing / 200 Passing Team Rush Pass Rec. Clemson 236.2 206.2 5-1 Louisville 236.8 286.8 5-0 Nebraska 210.7 253.2 5-1 Texas A&M 203.3 208.7 5-1
RB PRODUCTION
The Aggies' three-headed running back attack of Jorvorskie Lane, Mike Goodson and Courtney Lewis is averaging 127.5 yards and 24.5 carries per game and has scored 15 touchdowns in 2006.
TOUGHEST SCHEDULE
Texas A&M's finishing schedule is the toughest in the Big 12 and its overall schedule ranks as the second-toughest in the conference, according to the NCAA.
Big 12 Toughest Finishing Schedules Rk Team Opponents Record Pct. 1. Texas A&M 20- 9 .690 2. Oklahoma State 22-13 .629 3. Baylor 18-11 .621 Texas 18-11 .621 Nebraska 18-11 .621 Big 12 Toughest Overall Schedules Rk Team Opponents Record Pct. 1. Texas 31-21 .5961 2. Texas A&M 28-19 .5957 3. Oklahoma 33-23 .589 4. Oklahoma State 30-21 .588 5. Colorado 28-20 .583 Source: NCAA
PAYDIRT FOR J-TRAIN
NCAA touchdowns leader Jorvorskie Lane has pounded his way to 13 touchdowns in 2006 and is averaging 13.0 points per game.
NCAA Touchdowns Leaders Rk Player, Team TD Carries 1. Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M 13* 74 2. Garrett Wolfe, N. Illinois 12 127 3. Ray Rice, Rutgers 11* 141 James Davis, Clemson 11* 109 Kory Sheets, Purdue 11 80 * - Denotes all rushing touchdowns
3rd QUARTER DOMINATION
While A&M has outscored the opposition in every quarter, the Aggies have the biggest advantage in the third quarter. A&M has scored 65 points in the third quarter, while allowing just 15 points.
The only touchdown allowed by the Aggie defense in the third quarter came against Army when a fumbled punt return set up the BlackKnights at the Aggie 37.
MAKING ADJUSTMENTS
The second half numbers indicate that first-year defensive coordinator Gary Darnell has done a superb job of making second half adjustments.
Opposing offenses have been limited to just three touchdowns and three field goals in the second half (30 points). Opponents have scored 65 points in the first half against the Aggies.
USING HIS WEAPONS
Led by first-year quarterback Stephen McGee, the Aggies have done a good job of using a variety of receiving targets in 2006. The Aggies have used 11 different receivers, a school record, in two games this season. A total of 15 receivers have at least one catch in 2006, which is one off the school record.
Spreading It Around Position Catches-Yards TD Wide Receivers (8) 59-792 4 Tight Ends (2) 25-317 1 Running Backs (5) 17- 73 2
A&M'S LEGION OF DOOM
The Aggies are using their tight ends more in 2006 than at any time in recent memory. The duo of sophomore Martellus Bennett and junior Joey Thomas, deemed the "Legion of Doom" by Bennett, have combined for 25 catches for 317 yards or an average of 4.2 catches per game, despite Thomas missing the Louisiana Tech and part of the Army game with an injury.
The most that A&M has ever utilized its tight end was in 1986 when Rod Bernstine led the Southwest Conference with 65 catches (5.9 catches per game) for 710 yards. Bernstine was the only tight end to catch a pass that year.
Utilizing the Tight End Year Top TE Pass Catchers Total Avg./G 1986 Rod Bernstine 65 5.9 2006 M. Bennett, J. Thomas 25 4.2 2002 Greg Porter 50 4.2 1983 Rich Siler 43 3.9 1989 Mike Jones 40 3.6
MR. TOUCHDOWN
In a strong return to the lineup, senior wide receiver Chad Schroeder has grabbed a team-high 21 catches for 371 yards and produced first downs on 15 of his 21 catches.
Schroeder missed the final three games of 2005 after suffering a broken leg in game 8 against Iowa State.
Schroeder now has 11 receiving touchdowns on just 53 career catches, which is tied for fourth-most in school history. Schroeder's touchdown to catch ratio of 1-to-4.8 is the highest of any Aggie with seven or more career touchdowns.
The average length of his touchdown catches is 31.9 yards. Adding to his touchdown legacy, Schroeder has also thrown a TD pass (vs. Oklahoma, 2004) and had a TD rush (vs. Texas State, 2005) as a holder on field goal placements.
Quick Strike TD Length Opp. Year 46 Army 2006 15 La.-Lafayette 2006 27 The Citadel 2006 5 Kansas State 2005 44 Texas State 2005 32 SMU 2005 15 SMU 2005 31 Clemson 2005 45 Oklahoma 2004 49 Baylor 2004 42 Baylor 2003 31.9-yard average on TD catches Up the Charts Rk Player, Years Rec. TDs 1. Bob Long, 1966-68 79 19 2. Tony Harrison, 1990-93 89 14 3. Albert Connell, 1995-96 98 13 4. Chad Schroeder, 2002- 53 11 Bethel Johnson, 1999-2002 117 11 Jeff Nelson, 1982-85 92 11 Don Jones, 1980-83 56 11 7. Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 172 10 Jamaar Taylor, 2001-03 108 10
BRANTLY'S BEST
Sophomore punter Justin Brantly, who is .6 of a punt from entering the NCAA and Big 12 ranking, is averaging an impressive 46.4 yards per punt, which would lead the Big 12.
Brantly 2006 Game by Game Opponent No.-Yds. TB 50+ I20 Avg. Net The Citadel 3-170 0 3 2 56.7 47.3 UL-Lafayette 1- 58 0 1 1 58.0 52.0 Army 3-121 1 2 0 40.3 28.3 La. Tech 5-239 1 2 1 47.8 40.2 Texas Tech 3-155 0 1 0 51.7 42.3 at Kansas 6-232 1 1 1 38.7 26.3 Total 21-975 3 10 5 46.4 36.4
DODGE DEBUT
Twenty-five year old junior college tranfer Mark Dodge, who served in the U.S. Army for four years after high school, has made nine tackles with one forced fumble in 2006.
- Dodge's Background
- Joins former quarterback Mike Jay (1973-75) as the only scholarship Aggie players with a military background since the war years.
- Weighed 170 pounds as a receiver/safety at Yerington High School in Nevada, but gained 35 pounds of muscle while in the Army. Currently weighs in at 222 pounds.
- Dodge was in the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, traditionally known as "The Old Guard" -- the Army's official ceremonial unit and escort to the President. The oldest active-duty infantry regiment in the Army, having served the country since 1784, participates in more than 6,000 ceremonies a year.
- Dodge, who earned the rank of sergeant in two years, attended state dinners, a Daytona 500 and an NCAA women's basketball Final Four. He has chatted more than once with President Bush and has met Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tom Hanks, Mariah Carey, John Travolta and Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, among others.
- Was in the Pentagon filling out paperwork on his top-secret security clearance on Sept. 11, 2001 when the hijacked American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon. Dodge was called to assist in search-and-recovery efforts.
COACHING EXPERIENCE
Three of Dennis Franchione's assistant coaches have been head coaches at some point in their careers: Gary Darnell at Western Michigan (1997-2004) and Tennessee Tech (1983-85); Bob DeBesse at Texas State (1997-2002); and Jim Bob Helduser at Texas State (1992-96).
Six of the nine assistants have coordinated offenses or defense prior to coming to Texas A&M: Darnell (DC at Texas, Notre Dame, Florida, Wake Forest and Kansas State); Les Koenning (OC at Alabama, Houston and Duke); Bill Clay (DC at Oklahoma State, UAB, UTEP, Mississippi State, Temple, SMU and Southern Miss); DeBesse (OC at Minnesota and TCU); Stan Eggen (DC at UNLV); and Mark Tommerdahl (OC at Wyoming).
GRID / HOOPS BENNETT
A&M sophomore Martellus Bennett is one of a handful of Div. I-A athletes to play football and basketball. Last year, Bennett became the first Aggie to letter in football and basketball since Billy Bob Barnett in 1969.
Div. 1-A Football-Basketball Stars Player Position School Martellus Bennett TE Texas A&M Rodney Hannah TE Houston Avery Holley WR Florida Atlantic Jordan Kent WR Oregon Travis Lewis WR Eastern Michigan Carl Sims WR Baylor Matt Trannon WR Michigan State Source: University of Houston
NEWCOMER IMPACT
Ten members of the Aggies' 2006 signing class, including seven true freshmen, have seen action so far this season.
Junior college transfers Mark Dodge, Misi Tupe and Johnathan Batson have combined to make 24 tackles on defense.
True freshman that have seen action include running back Mike Goodson, placekicker Matt Szymanski, cornerback Jordan Pugh, wide receiver Cody Beyer, deep snapper Corey Gibas, wide receiver E.J. Shankle and linebacker Anthony Lewis.
LEADER LEWIS
The team rushing leader the past three years, senior Courtney Lewis could become just the second player to lead the Aggies in rushing four straight seasons. A&M's all-time rushing leader Darren Lewis (no relation) led the Aggies in rushing from 1987-90 and finished with 5,012 career yards.
LEWIS MOVES INTO TOP 10
Senior running back Courtney Lewis ranks in the top 10 in career rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.
A&M's Career Rushing Yards List Rk Player, Years Yards 1. Darren Lewis, 1987-90 5,012 2. Curtis Dickey, 1976-79 3,703 3. Greg Hill, 1991-93 3,262 4. Rodney Thomas, 1991-94 3,014 5. George Woodard, 1975-77, 79 2,911 6. Bubba Bean, 1972-75 2,846 7. Dant? Hall, 1996-99 2,818 8. Courtney Lewis, 2003- 2,644 9. Johnny Hector, 1979-82 2,587 10. Roger Vick, 1983-86 2,471 A&M's Career Rushing TDs List Rk Player, Years TDs 1. Darren Lewis, 1987-90 44 2. Rodney Thomas, 1991-94 41 3. George Woodard, 1975-77, 79 35 4. Curtis Dickey, 1976-79 34 5. Greg Hill, 1991-93 33 6. Courtney Lewis, 2003- 30 Joel Hunt, 1925-27 30 Bucky Richardson, 1987-91 30 9. Leeland McElroy, 1993-95 29 10. D'Andre Hardeman, 1995-99 28
TURNOVER ADVANTAGE
During the Dennis Franchione era at Texas A&M, the Aggies are 15-1 in games with a turnover margin advantage. In games with an even or minus turnover margin, the Aggies are 6-19.
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) SMU 2005 -1 +4 +3 W, 66-?8 Texas State 2005 -2 +3 +1 W, 44-31 Oklahoma State 2005 -2 +7 +5 W, 62-23 Kansas State 2005 -1 +3 +2 W, 30-28 at Oklahoma 2005 -1 +3 +2 L, 30-36 La.-Lafayette 2006 0 +2 +2 W, 51-7 Army 2006 -1 +3 +2 W, 28-24
PRESEASON ALL-BIG 12
Several Aggies have received preseason All-Big 12 Conference mention:
Player Honor Organization Red Bryant 1st-team The Sporting News SA Express-News 2nd-team CFN.com Courtney Lewis 2nd-team SA Express-News Justin Warren 1st-Team The Sporting News SA Express-News Dallas Morning News CFN.com
WATCH LIST WATCH
Three Aggies have been mentioned on "watch lists" for various national awards:
Preseason Accolades Player Award (s) Justin Brantly Ray Guy Red Bryant Bednarik Cody Wallace Rimington Justin Warren Bednarik, Butkus, Nagurski
AGGIE ADDITIONS
Franchione added three more scholarship players to his teams over the summer: placekicker Matt Szymanski from College Station; deep snapper Corey Gibas from Covina, Calif., and defensive back Will Harris from Lakewood, Ohio via Solano JC in California.
PREP QBs AT WR
Texas A&M has several former prep quarterbacks excelling at wide receiver.
HS QBs Making Difference at WR 2006 Player Hometown (HS) Rec./Yds/TD Pierre Brown Duncanville (DHS) 7/71/0 Senior HS Stats: 1,734 total offense, 23 TDs Michael Corey Delta, Utah (DHS) 1/6/0 Senior HS Stats: L'Tydrick Riley Crockett (CHS) 13/134/0 Senior HS Stats: 1,717 total offense, 24 TDs Chad Schroeder Austin (Westlake) 21/371/3 Senior HS Stats: 3,436 total offense, 37 TDs
STARTING POINT
The Aggies have 42 players with at least one career start to their credit, including 18 with double digit starts. Leading the way is last year's conference tackle leader Justin Warren with 31 career starts.
A&M Active Career Starts Leaders Player Starts Justin Warren, LB, Sr. 31 Red Bryant, DL, Jr. 29 Kirk Elder, OL, Jr. 28 Jason Jack, DL, Jr. 24 Courtney Lewis, RB, Sr. 18 Melvin Bullitt, DB, Sr. 18 Chris Harrington, DL, Jr. 17 Corey Clark, OL, Jr. 17 Cody Wallace, OL, Jr. 17 Earvin Taylor, WR, Jr. 15 Japhus Brown, DB, Jr. 14 Chad Schroeder, WR, Sr. 13 Yemi Babalola, OL, Jr. 12 Alex Kotzur, OL, Sr. 12 Chris Yoder, OL, Jr. 12 Brock Newton, DB, Jr. 12 Martellus Bennett, TE, So. 11 Danny Gorrer, DB, So. 11 Devin Gregg, DB, So. 9 Jorvorskie Lane, RB, So. 8 Stephen McGee, QB, So. 7 Joey Thomas, TE, Jr. 6 Marquis Carpenter, DB, Jr. 6 Grant Dickey, OL, Sr. 6 Jordan Peterson, Fr. 5 Travis Schneider, So. 5 Bryce Reed, DL, Sr. 5 Nurahda Manning, LB, Sr. 4 Michael Bennett, DE, So. 4 Pierre Brown, WR, So. 4 Misi Tupe, LB, Jr. 4 L'Tydrick Riley, Sr. 4 Howard Morrow, WR, So. 3 Kerry Franks, WR, Jr. 2 Mark Dodge, Jr. 2 Amos Gbunblee, TE/DE, So. 1 Samson Taylor, RB, So. 1 Brandon Leone, RB, Sr. 1 Chris Alexander, FB, Jr. 1 Matt Featherston, Fr. 1 Arkeith Brown, So. 1 Marques Thornton, Sr. 1
ACTIVE TACKLERS
The Aggies have 12 defenders with more than 50 career tackles, including Justin Warren, Melvin Bullitt and Brock Newton who have 100 or more.
A&M Active Career Tackles Leaders Rk Player Tackles 1. Justin Warren, LB, Sr. 236 2. Melvin Bullitt, DB, Sr. 133 3. Brock Newton, DB, Jr. 100 4. Japhus Brown, DB, Jr. 93 5. Jason Jack, DL, Jr. 93 6. Red Bryant, DL, 2004, Jr. 78 7. Nurahda Manning, LB, Sr. 70 8. Chris Harrington, DE, Jr. 63 9. Devin Gregg, DB, So. 57 10. Bryce Reed, DL, Sr. 54 11. Danny Gorrer, DB, So. 51 12. Marquis Carpenter, DB, Jr. 50
NFL OPENING DAY ROSTERS
#95 Sam Adams, DL, Cincinnati Bengals #99 Rocky Bernard, DL, Seattle Seahawks #89 Dan Campbell, TE, Detroit Lions #11 Jason Carter, WR, Minnesota Vikings (practice squad) #31 Sammy Davis, DB, San Francisco 49ers #95 Ron Edwards, DL, Kansas City Chiefs #89 Robert Ferguson, WR, Green Bay Packers #26 Aaron Glenn, DB, Dallas Cowboys Jason Glenn, LB, Minnesota Vikings #82 Dante Hall, WR, Kansas City Chiefs #63 Geoff Hangartner, OL, Carolina Panthers #57 Warrick Holdman, LB, Washington Redskins #13 Bethel Johnson, WR, New Orleans Saints (injured reserved) #93 Johnny Jolly, DL, Green Bay Packers #33 Keith Joseph, RB, New Orleans Saints #48 Terrence Kiel, DB, San Diego Chargers #9 Shane Lechler, P, Oakland Raiders #68 Seth McKinney, OL, Miami Dolphins #76 Steve McKinney, OL, Houston Texans #10 Reggie McNeal, WR, Cincinnati Bengals (practice squad) #96 Mike Montgomery, DL, Green Bay Packers #48 Don Muhlbach, DS, Detroit Lions #47 Boone Stutz, TE/DS, Atlanta Falcons #74 Rex Tucker, OL, Detroit Lions #94 Ty Warren, DL, New England Patriots #27 Jason Webster, DB, Atlanta Falcons #94 Pat Williams, DL, Minnesota Vikings #74 Billy Yates, OL, New England Patriots Aggies on NFL Coaching Staffs: Dennis Allen, Atlanta Falcons (Defensive Assistant) Johnny Holland, Houston Texans (Defensive Assistant) Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans (Head Coach) Gary Reynolds, Seattle Seahawks (Quality Control/Offense) Zerick Rollins, Seattle Seahawks (Def. Line/Quality Control)
FAMILY AFFAIR
The Aggies have a number of players with family connections to Texas A&M athletics.
Starting strong safety Melvin Bullitt's father, Jerry, lettered for the Aggies from 1980-83 and started at linebacker for three seasons. The elder Bullitt posted 222 tackles and 11 sacks during his career.
Melvin's uncle, Steve Bullitt, lettered for the Aggies from 1983-86.
Junior 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 Rocket" 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.
Brothers Michael and Martellus Bennett are just one of a handful of brothers whose playing careers have overlapped at Texas A&M.
True freshman Jerrod Johnson's father, Larry, played split end for the Aggies in the late 1970s.
COACH FRAN RANKS AMONG THE WINNINGEST COACHES
The 26th head football coach in Texas A&M history, Dennis Franchione is in his fourth season in Aggieland and his 24th season as a collegiate head coach. Franchione has compiled a 21-20 record at Texas A&M.
With a career record of 176-93-2 as a head coach, Coach Fran is 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 Wins 1. Bobby Bowden, Florida St. 362 2. Joe Paterno, Penn St. 358 3. Frank Beamer, Va. Tech 192 4. Jim Tressel, Ohio State 191 5. Chris Ault, Nevada 180 6. Dennis Franchione, A&M 176 7. Mack Brown, Texas 174 8. Fisher DeBerry, Air Force 167 9. Dick Tomey, San Jose St. 164 10. Steve Spurrier, South Carolina 153