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Game 2: Fresno State (1-0) at Texas A&M (1-0)

notes for Saturday's nationally-televised game against Fresno State at Kyle Field (PDF link to the right)... GAME 2:Fresno State BULLDOGS (1-0, 0-0 WAC)atTexas A&M AGGIES (1-0, 0-0 Big 12) GAME INFO

September 03, 2007

Game notes for Saturday's nationally-televised game against Fresno State at Kyle Field (PDF link to the right)...


GAME 2:
Fresno State BULLDOGS (1-0, 0-0 WAC)
at
Texas A&M AGGIES (1-0, 0-0 Big 12)


GAME INFORMATION

GAME INFO
Saturday, Sept. 1, 2:30 p.m. (CDT)
Kyle Field (82,600), College Station
RECORDS
Texas A&M: 1-0, 0-0 Big 12
Fresno State: 1-0, 0-0 WAC
RANKINGS
A&M is ranked 25th in both major polls.
TELEVISION
FOX Sports Net
Bill Land, play-by-play
Gary Reasons, commentary
Emily Jones, 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
first meeting
UP NEXT
A&M hosts Louisiana-Monroe
Saturday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m. (CDT)
Kyle Field, College Station
TV: None

It will be the first-ever meeting between Texas A&M and Fresno State ... The Aggies have won eight-straight home non-conference games dating back to a 37-26 loss to Pittsburgh in Franchione's first season at Texas A&M in 2003. In his fifth season in Aggieland, Franchione is 10-1 vs. non-conference foes at Kyle Field.


IN THE RANKINGS


Texas A&M was ranked No. 25 in both the Associated Press media poll and the USA Today/ESPN head coaches poll in the preseason. Fresno State was unranked. Due to Labor Day games, the Week 1 polls will come out on Sept. 4.


JOIN THE CLUB...


Quarterback Stephen McGee became the 37th member, and just the fifth quarterback, of Texas A&M's 1,000-yard club in career rushing yards after the Montana State game. After rushing for 121 yards on nine carries against the Bobcats, McGee has 1,022 yards on 198 career carries. 

 Career Rushing Yards by a QB Rk Player, Years Rush Yds 1. Bucky Richardson, 1987-88, 90-91 2,095 2. Reggie McNeal, 2002-05 1,889 3. Mike Mosley, 1977-80 1,206 4. Roddy Osborne, 1955-57 1,188 5. Stephen McGee, 2004- 1,022

NEW RULE, BETTER RESULTS


The Big 12's top kick returner from 2006 enhanced his reputation as the league's most dangerous return man with a strong effort in the season opener.

Taking full advantage of the new kickoff rule, senior Kerry Franks produced returns of 44 yards and 38 yards against the Bobcats to raise his career kickoff return average to 26.4 (23-607). 

 Career Kickoff Return Yards List Rk Player, Years No.- Yards 1. Rod Harris, 1985-88 59- 1,209 2. Leeland McElroy, 1993-95 30- 1,099 3. Carl Roaches, 1972-75 43- 1,087 4. Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 31- 761 5. Dant? Hall, 1996-99 32- 716 6. Larry Stegent, 1967-69 39- 714 7. Dave Elmendorf, 1968-70 35- 689 8. Billy Mitchell, 1992-94 25- 678 9. Kerry Franks, 2003- 23- 607 10. Don Ellis, 1952-53 26- 591 Career Kickoff Return Average List Rk Player, Years KO Return Avg. 1. Leeland McElroy, 1993-95 36.6 2. Billy Mitchell, 1992-94 27.1 3. Kerry Franks, 2003- 26.4 4. Carl Roaches, 1972-75 25.3 5. Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 24.5

ON A TACKLING ROLL


Since regaining a spot in the starting lineup for last year's Nebraska game, senior linebacker Mark Dodge has been a tackling machine for the Aggies.

In his last four starts, Dodge is averaging 11.0 tackles per game and has led the team in tackles three times.

 Back in the Starting Lineup Opponent Year Tackles Nebraska 2006 17 * at Texas 2006 5 California (Holiday Bowl) 2006 8 * Montana State 2007 14 * * - Led team in tackles.

AGGIE STORY LINES


  • Big back Jorvorskie Lane credits the reading program READ180 and Lufkin High School teacher Betty Lewing for his academic success in high school and subsequent improvement on his SAT score. The SAT score improvement allowed him to utilize his scholarship to Texas A&M and become one of the nation's most feared short-yardage backs. After Lane scored a school-record 19 touchdowns last season, Lewing attended the Pacific Life Holiday Bowl as his guest.
  • Most people can't envision the 268-pound Lane as ever being small, but he was actually born premature and weighed just four pounds at birth. The J-Train's grandmother says she could hold him in one hand.
  • Coach Fran and defensive coordinator Gary Darnell have started calling the linebacker tandem of Mark Dodge, 26, and Misi Tupe, 25, the "Geritol Gang". The tandem's combined 51 years of age make them the oldest pair of starting linebackers in the nation. Dodge served in the military before enrolling in college, while Tupe served a Mormon mission before arriving in Aggieland.
  • Speaking of Geritol, noted geriatric linebacker Mike Flynt served as Texas A&M's head strength coach in 1979-80. At the age of 59, Flynt has made the football roster at Sul Ross University in Alpine, Texas.
  • Four of the Aggies' five offensive line starters - Cody Wallace, Kirk Elder, Corey Clark and Chris Yoder - were members of Coach Fran's initial signing class. The foursome has combined to start 99 career games.
  • Forty-five of the Aggies' 64 multi-year scholarship players had the benefit of a redshirt season (69 percent). Every scholarship offensive and defensive lineman redshirted.
  • The Aggies' safeties coach, Bill Clay, is entering his 40th season as a football coach. Clay's first coaching job was at Ganby High School in Norfolk, Va., in 1965.
  • Quarterback Stephen McGee, a junior in football eligibility, graduated with a degree in marketing earlier this summer -- just three and one-half years after arriving on campus as an early enrollee in January 2004.
  • McGee and tight end Joey Thomas were two of 14 current or past Aggie gridders to receive their diplomas at the August commencement ceremonies. Other notables receiving their sheepskins were 2006 seniors Alex Kotzur, Brandon Leone, Layne Neumann, J Pond, and Blake Steadman.
  • Wide receiver Howard Morrow and linebacker Matt Featherston were the football winners of the 2007 "Off-Season Warrior" competition implemented by A&M director of performance nutrition Amy Bragg. Morrow added seven pounds of muscle while dropping 6.8 percent of body fat. Featherston shaved 15 pounds of body fat while adding eight pounds of muscle.
  • There are a pair of brother tandems on the 2007 roster: Michael and Martellus Bennett (Alief, Texas) and Jamie and Terrence McCoy (Midland, Texas).
  • Other Aggie bloodlines include: Chris Harrington (Uncle Dave Elmendorf was an All-American in 1970 and currently serves as the analyst for Aggies' radio network); Jerrod Johnson (father Larry Johnson was a wide receiver/defensive back for the Aggies); Nick LaMantia (brother Michael was a walkon linebacker in the early 2000's); Earvin Taylor (brother Jamaar grabbed 108 catches from 2001-03).
  • Offensive center Kevin Matthews' father, Bruce, was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame last summer. Matthews was a 14-time Pro Bowl selection as an offensive lineman for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans.
  • Coach Fran's son, Brad Franchione, is the head coach at Blinn College, which is located in nearby Brenham, Texas. Last season, Brad Franchione's Buccaneers won the NJCAA Championship and he was named NJCAA Coach of the Year.

ROSTER UPDATES


  • Nick LaMantia, the Aggies' main 12th Man in 2006, is seeing action at fullback this fall. He switched his jersey number from #55 to #44.
  • Wide receiver E.J. Shankle and quarterback Jeff Wood switched jersey numbers. Shankle now wears #10, while Wood wears #9.
  • Former linebacker Jodie Richardson also made the move to fullback during the 2006 season and is listed as Chris Alexander's backup.
  • David Tufuga, a defensive lineman from West Jordan, Utah, was a late addition to the Aggies' 2007 signing class. Tufuga transferred from Snow College in Utah.
  • Jordan Pugh, a backup cornerback in 2006, shifted to the "Whip" during the spring and is listed as the starter going into the 2007 season.
  • Johnathan Batson,who was a safety in 2006, is battling for playing time at cornerback this season.
  • Chris Smith moved from defensive end to defensive tackle during the spring and is pushing for playing time at the position this fall.
  • True freshman Billy Chavis, who came to A&M capable of lining up at a variety of positions, used his 6-foot-5, 226-pound frame to turn heads at weak safety during fall camp.

THUNDER & LIGHTNING


Texas A&M was one of seven schools with a pair of running backs ranked among the NCAA's top 100 rushers in 2006. Four of those running back duos, including the Aggies' Thunder & Lightning duo of Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodson, return to action in 2007.

 NCAA's Top Returning RB duos Player School '06 Yards/ RK TD Mike Goodson Texas A&M 847/ #69 4 Jorvorskie Lane Texas A&M 725/ #95 19 Darren McFadden Arkansas 1,647/ #10 14 Felix Jones Arkansas 1,168/ #34 6 James Davis Clemson 1,187/ #28 17 C.J. Spiller Clemson 938/ #52 10 Lance Ball Maryland 815/ #79 8 Keon Lattimore Maryland 743/ #93 3

DISRUPTIVE DEF. END


Senior defensive end Chris Harrington continues to be the Aggies' most disruptive player on the defense with a strong performance against Montana State.

Harrington, a member of a variety of watch lists for national awards, had the fattest defensive statline against the Bobcats with nine total tackles, two TFLs (-9), one sack (-8), one forced fumble and one PBU.

It was more of the same for the second-most famous graduate of Houston St. Pius High School (behind Houston Texans head coach and former A&M leading passer Gary Kubiak). Harrington led the team in sacks, tackles for loss and forced fumbles in 2006 and was among the leaders in PBUs.


FIRST-TIMERS


Among the 70 players who saw action against Montana State were several that were seeing the first game action of their careers: 

 QB Jerrod Johnson FB Jodie Richardson RB Cornell Tarrant WR Terrence McCoy WR Jeremy Brown TE Ryan Vaughn DL Lucas Patterson DL David Tufuga DL Cody Williams DL Jarrett Cantu DB Kenny Brown DB Will Harris LB Derek Dumas (12th Man) LB Dusty Riewe (12th Man) DB Tyler Kociuba (12th Man) RB Colton Haverda (12th Man) WR Drew Williamson (12th Man)

Other firsts vs. MSU were: Henry Smith, Jordan Pugh and Alton Dixon made their first career starts ... Terrence McCoy grabbed his first career TD catch on Jerrod Johnson's first career completion ... T.J. Sanders saw his first action as the holder on placements ... Jamie McCoy saw his first action at wide receiver.

POST-GAME WRAPUP

MISCELLANEOUS: Safeties Alton Dixon and Jordan Pugh, in their first collegiate starts, each played all 81 downs on defense, plus numerous special teams plays ... Martellus Bennett had nine knockdown blocks ... Nick LaMantia had two knockdown blocks on KO returns ... Will Harris had three KO tackles, while Mike Corey had two tackles on punt coverage.

ALL WALK-ON KICKOFF: The 10 non-scholarship players that covered the final kickoff, along with placekicker Matt Szymanski, were: Ben Bitner, Jeremy Brown, Jarrett Cantu, Derek Dumas, Colton Haverda, Rawley Farrell, Andrew Key, Tyler Kociuba, Dustin Riewe and Drew Williamson.

FINDING THE ENDZONE: Moving the kickoffs back five yards had little effect on the Aggies' strong-legged Matt Szymanski. The sophomore from College Station had seven kickoffs and sent four into the endzone (two for touchbacks). The other three boots landed inside the two-yard line.


DO-IT-ALL QBS


Stephen McGee was one of just four 2,000/500 quarterbacks in the nation, and all four of those signal-callers return in 2007.

 Nation's 2,000 / 500 QBs Player, School Passing Rushing Stephen McGee, Texas A&M 2,295 666 Matt Grothe, South Florida 2,576 622 Chris Nickson, Vanderbilt 2,085 694 Bobby Reid, Oklahoma State 2,266 500

TOTAL QUARTERBACKS


Three of Texas A&M's four top season total offense outputs have been produced by quarterbacks during the Dennis Franchione era, including Stephen McGee's 2,961-yard effort in 2006. McGee's output ranked No. 2 in school history behind only Reggie McNeal's 2004 total of 3,509 yards.

 Building Quarterbacks (A&M's Top Single Season Total Offense Leaders) Rk Player, Year Yards 1. REGGIE MCNEAL, 2004 3,509 2. STEPHEN MCGEE, 2006 2,961 3. Mark Farris, 2000 2,667 4. REGGIE MCNEAL, 2005 2,627 5. Dustin Long, 2002 2,522 Bold Caps - Fran era quarterbacks

CONCENTRATING THEIR EFFORTS


Tight end Martellus Bennett and quarterback Jerrod Johnson both gave up Aggie basketball last spring, so they could concentrate on football.

Bennett, one of the favorites for the John Mackey Tight End Award, played in four basketball games last season, while Johnson saw action in three contests. As a freshman in 2005-06, Bennett was the first Aggie to letter in football and basketball since Billy Bob Barnett in 1969.

While two dual-sport athletes decided to concentrate on one sport, the Aggie football team added a dual-sport athlete in Justin McQueen, who ran the 200 and 400 for Pat Henry's Aggie track team last spring. McQueen was the Class 4A state runner-up in the 400 as a senior at Dayton High School.


2006 TRENDS


  • The Aggies' average score in conference play in 2006 was 24.1 - 21.8 in favor of A&M. A&M outscored the opposition by just 19 points (193-174). Seven of the eight Big 12 games were decided by a touchdown or less.
  • Three of eight conference games were decided by a single point.
  • In conference play, the Aggies ran an average of 67.9 plays per game, while the opponents ran an average of 57.9 plays.
  • The Aggies scored a Big 12-best 25 rushing touchdowns in the red zone.
  • The Aggies were one of just five teams nationally to post an undefeated road record during the regular season.
  • The Aggies led the nation in time of possession with an average of 33 minutes, 35 seconds per game in 2006.
  • The offense converted 50.3 percent of its third-down tries, which led the Big 12 Conference and ranked No. 4 nationally.
  • The Aggies' offensive front allowed just 1.46 quarterback sacks per game (19 in 13 games), which tied for No. 24 nationally and No. 3 in the Big 12.
  • A&M lost just 13 turnovers in 2006, which ranked in a tie for No. 2 in the nation and led the Big 12 Conference.
  • A&M's 13 turnovers (9 fumbles, 4 interceptions) tied the school record for fewest in a season that was originally set by the 2004 Aggies.
  • The Aggies tied for the NCAA lead with just four passes intercepted in 330 attempts. A&M tied with Air Force and Navy, who combined for 258 pass attempts.
  • The Aggies tied for the Big 12 lead in turnover margin with plus-0.69 per game in 2006.
  • Texas A&M ranked No. 3 in the NCAA in kickoff return average with 26.1 per return. Kerry Franks was the Big 12 kickoff return leader with an average of 27.7 yards per return.
  • Franks was the Big 12's most explosive player, averaging a conference-best 25.6 yards per touch (among players with 50 or more all-purpose yards/game).
  • The Aggies averaged 397.4 yards of total offense per game, which ranked No. 18 in the NCAA.
  • A&M's rushing attack ranked No. 8 in the NCAA. A&M averaged 206.9 yards on the ground per game. The Aggies' 2,689 rushing yards were their most in a decade.
  • Quarterback Stephen McGee set the school record for season completion percentage with 62 percent on 194-of-313 passing.
  • McGee was one of just four 2,000/500 quarterback in the NCAA. McGee passed for 2,295 yards and rushed for 666 yards in 2006. McGee was the nation's first QB to hit 2,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards. He is just the second 2,000/500 QB in school history, joining Reggie McNeal who did it in 2004.
  • McGee threw just two interceptions in 313 attempts, which was the fewest in the NCAA by a starter. His interception percentage of .64 was an NCAA best.
  • Running back Jorvorskie Lane led the Big 12 in scoring and touchdowns with 114 and 19, respectively.
  • Lane's 19 rushing touchdowns matched the second-oldest record in the Aggie record book (19 rushing TDs by Joel Hunt in 1927).
  • Mike Goodson was the Big 12's top freshman rusher with 847 yards on 127 carries. Goodson's 6.7 rush average led the Big 12 among all runners. Goodson's 847 rushing yards were the third-most by an A&M freshman behind Greg Hill (1,216 in 1991) and Courtney Lewis (1,024 in 2003).

TURNOVER ADVANTAGE


During the Dennis Franchione era at Texas A&M, the Aggies are 19-3 in games with a turnover margin advantage. In games with an even or minus turnover margin, the Aggies are 7-20.

 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 Colorad
  • 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 Missouri 2006 0 +3 +3 W, 25-19 at Baylor 2006 0 +1 +1 W, 31-21 Oklahoma 2006 -1 +2 +1 L, 16-17 Nebraska 2006 0 +1 +1 L, 27-28 at Texas 2006 -1 +4 +4 W, 12-7 Montana State 2007 -1 +2 +1 W, 38-7

    • COUNT ON THE J-TRAIN


    When the game is on the line, Jorvorskie Lane has proven that he can be counted on to get the tough yard.

    The "J-Train" produced either a first down or a touchdown 26 times on 29 carries on third or fourth down in 2006. On his only third or fourth down rush against Montana State, Lane produced a two-yard touchdown run.

    In all, Lane pounded his way to 43 first downs and 19 touchdowns on his 166 carries in 2006. His 19 rushing touchdowns matched A&M's second oldest school record - Joel Hunt's 19 rushing TDs in 1927.

     2006 "Money Plays" for Lane Situation 1st Down TD $ Attempts 1st down rush 13 6 19 97 2nd down rush 9 6 14 40 3rd down rush 18 7 23 25 4th down rush 3 0 3 4 Total 43 19 59 166 $ - "Money Plays" are defined as plays resulting in a first down or a touchdown

    EXPLOSIVE FRANKS


    Kerry Franks averaged 25.6 yard per touch of the football, which was tops in the Big 12 among players averaging more than 50 all-purpose yards per game.

    Franks had three of the Aggies' five longest plays in 2006 and a team-best 13 plays of 20 yards in length.

     Taking It to the House (min. 50 A-P yards/G) RK Player, School Yds/Touch 1. Kerry Franks, Texas A&M 25.6 2. Marcus Herford, Kansas 24.2 3. Adarius Bowman, Oklahoma State 19.4 4. Perrish Cox, Oklahoma State 18.1 5. Limas Sweed, Texas 17.5

    RETURN IMPROVEMENT


    Led by Kerry Franks and Pierre Brown, the Aggies 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. In 2006, the Aggies averaged a lofty 26.1 yards per return and ranked No. 3 nationally.

     Starting Point Kickoff Returns 2006 2005 Kickoff Return Average 26.1 17.5 Big 12 Rank No. 2 No. ?12 NCAA Rank No. 3 No. 109

    COMPLETION PACE


    Quarterback Stephen McGee smashed A&M's 20-year old record for season completion percentage in 2006. McGee completed 62.0 percent of his passes on 194-of-313 passing. 

     Texas A&M Season Completion % List RK Player, Year Cmp. % 1. Stephen Mcgee, 2006 62.0 2. Kevin Murray, 1986 60.7 3. Dustin Long, 2003 60.6 4. Mark Farris, 2000 59.9 5. Corey Pullig, 1994 59.9

    DUAL THREAT McGEE


    Quarterback Stephen McGee was the nation's leader in passing yards among quarterbacks that rushed for at least 50 yards per game in 2006.

    McGee rushed for 50 or more yards in five games, including a career-best 142 vs. Army, and passed for 200 or more yards six times, including a career-best 318 vs. Louisiana Tech.

     Nation's Top Pass/Rush Threat (Top passers among 50-yard/G rushers) RK. QB, School Rush/G Pass/G 1. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M 52.9 176.5 2. Chris Nickson, Vanderbilt 57.8 173.9 3. Julian Edelman, Kent State 59.8 169.1 4. Patrick White, West Virginia 101.6 137.9 5. Andy Schmitt, E. Michigan 51.2 131.3

    STINGY WITH INTs


    With just two pickoffs among 313 pass attempts, Stephen McGee led the Big 12 and NCAA in interception percentage (interceptions/pass attempts) in 2006. 

     NCAA Fewest INTs/Attempt RK QB, School ATT./INT Pct. 1. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M 313 / 2 0.64 2. Kevin Kolb, Houston 432 / 4 0.93 3. Perry Patterson, Syracuse 300 / 4 1.33 4. Brady Quinn, Notre Dame 467 / 7 1.50 5. Chase Holbrook, New Mexico St. 567 / 9 1.59

    KING OF THE ROAD


    Quarterback Stephen McGee was 5-1 in starts away from the friendly confines of Kyle Field in 2006. Prior to McGee's ascension to starting quarterback, the Aggies were 3-13 in games away from Kyle in the Dennis Franchione era.


    BRANTLY'S BEST


    Punter Justin Brantly averaged an impressive 44.3 per punt, which ranked No. 4 in the Big 12 and No. 10 nationally in 2006. Brantly boomed a whopping 21 punts of 50 yards or more and put 14 punts inside the opponents' 20-yard line.

     Season Punt Average List RK Player Year Punt Avg. 1. Shane Lechler 1997 47.0 2. Shane Lechler 1999 46.5 3. Justin Brantly 2006 44.3 4. David Davis 1992 43.8 5. Cody Scates 2002 43.7 Career Punt Average List RK Player, Years Punt Avg. 1. Shane Lechler, 1996-99 44.7 2. Justin Brantly, 2005- 43.8 3. Todd Tschantz, 1984-86 42.4 4. Phil Scoggin, 1964-65 41.9 5. David Davis, 1991-92 41.8

    WRECKING CREW RETURN


    Under the direction of new defensive coordinator Gary Darnell, the Aggies made significant improvement on the defensive side of the football in 2006.

     The Year After Category 2006 (NCAA RK.) 2005 (NCAA RK.) Total Defense 322.6 (#46) 443.8 (#107) Rush Defense 132.1 (#55) 139.2 (#44) Pass Defense 190.5 (#44) 304.6 (#117) Pass Eff. Def. 118.3 (#39) 142.66 (#104) Scoring Defense 20.5 (#44) 31.2 (#94)

    PAYDIRT FOR J-TRAIN


    Jorvorskie Lane pounded his way to a Big 12-best 19 touchdowns and led the conference in scoring with 114 points in 2006. In the NCAA rankings, Lane ranked in a tie for No. 5 nationally in touchdowns and No. 7 in points scored.

     NCAA Touchdowns Leaders RK Player, Team TD 1. Ian Johnson, Boise State 25 2. Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshall 21 Jarett Dillard, Rice 21 4. Ray Rice, Rutgers 20 5. Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M 19 Garrett Wolfe, N. Illinois 19 NCAA Scoring Leaders RK Player, Team Pts. 1. Ian Johnson, Boise State 152 2. Ahmad Bradshaw, Marshall 126 Jarett Dillard, Rice 126 4. Arthur Carmody (PK), Louisville 123 5. Ray Rice, Rutgers 120 6. Garrett Wolfe, N. Illinois 116 7. Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M 114 8. Pat McAfee (PK), West Virginia 113 Justin Medlock (PK), UCLA 113 10. Three players 108

    ACTIVE TACKLERS


    The Aggies have nine defenders with more than 50 career tackles, including Chris Harrington and Devin Gregg, who are nearing the century mark in career tackles.

     A&M Active Career Tackles Leaders RK Player Pos. Yr Tackles 1. Chris Harrington DE Sr 98 2. Devin Gregg DB Jr. 95 3. Danny Gorrer DB Jr. 82 4. Red Bryant DL Sr. 81 5. Marquis Carpenter DB Sr. 54 Misi Tupe LB Sr. 54 Michael Bennett DL Jr. 54 8. Mark Dodge LB Sr. 51 9. Cyril Obiozor DL Jr. 50

    STARTING POINT


    The Aggies have 33 players with at least one career start to their credit, including 14 with double digit starts. Leading the way is four-year starter Kirk Elder, who has made 35 straight starts at offensive guard.

     Active Career Starts Leaders Player Pos. Year Starts Kirk Elder OL 2004- 36 Red Bryant DL 2004-. 32 Chris Harrington DL 2004- 25 Corey Clark OL 2004- 25 Cody Wallace OL 2004- 25 Earvin Taylor WR 2004- 21 Martellus Bennett TE 2005- 19 Danny Gorrer DB 2005- 19 Devin Gregg DB 2005- 17 Jorvorskie Lane RB 2005- 16 Yemi Babalola OL 2004- 16 Stephen McGee QB 2005- 15 Chris Yoder OL 2004- 13 Jordan Peterson DB 2005- 12 Travis Schneider OL 2005- 9 Misi Tupe LB 2004- 9 Joey Thomas TE 2004- 7 Marquis Carpenter DB 2005-. 6 Mark Dodge LB 2006- 6 Chris Alexander FB 2004- 5 Michael Bennett DE 2005- 5 Pierre Brown WR 2005- . 5 Howard Morrow WR 2005- 4 Cyril Obiozor DL 2005- 4 Kerry Franks WR 2005- 3 Arkeith Brown DB 2005- 2 Mike Goodson RB 2006- 2 Alton Dixon DB 2005- 1 Henry Smith DL 2006- 1 Jordan Pugh DB 2006- 1 Amos Gbunblee TE/DE 2005- 1 Matt Featherston LB 2006- 1 Johnathan Batson DB 2006- 1

    LEADERSHIP COUNCIL '07


    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."