Game 3: Louisiana-Monroe (0-2) at Texas A&M (2-0)
Sep 11, 2007 | Football
September 11, 2007
Game notes for Saturday's game against Louisiana-Monroe at Kyle Field (PDF link to the right)...
GAME 3:
Louisiana-Monroe WARHAWKS (0-2, 0-0 Sun Belt)
at
Texas A&M AGGIES (2-0, 0-0 Big 12)
GAME INFORMATION
| GAME INFO |
| Saturday, Sept. 15, 6 p.m. (CDT) Kyle Field (82,600), College Station |
| RECORDS |
| Texas A&M: 2-0, 0-0 Big 12 ULM: 0-2, 0-0 Sun Belt |
| RANKINGS |
| A&M is ranked 18th by USA Today and 25th by the AP. |
| TELEVISION |
| None |
| RADIO |
| WTAW-AM 1620 (Local) Dave South, play-by-play Dave Elmendorf, commentary Tom Turbiville, sidelines (broadcast time 5 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, 1-0 Last Meeting: A&M 31, NELA 17 (9/21/85) |
| UP NEXT |
| A&M at Miami Thursday, Sept. 20, 6:45 p.m. (CDT) Orange Bowl, Miami TV: ESPN HD |
It will be the second-ever meeting between Texas A&M and Louisiana-Monroe. The previous encounter was in 1985 when ULM was known as Northeast Louisiana University. The Aggies won the game 31-17 despite a strong passing effort from future NFL quarterback Bubby Brister, who connected on 19-of-37 passes for 238 yards and two touchdowns. The 1985 Aggies went on to win the first of three-straight Southwest Conference Championships that year. ... Franchione faced ULM twice as head coach of Texas State (then Southwest Texas) and is 0-2 vs. ULM (30-27 in 1990 and 17-8 in 1991). ... A&M's only Heisman Trophy winner John David Crow was the AD and head football coach at then-NLU from 1975-80. ... Former A&M wide receiver, Peter Martin II, who lettered for Franchione in 2005, is a graduate assistant for ULM.
IN THE RANKINGS
After last Saturday's triple overtime win over Fresno State, Texas A&M jumped five spots to No. 18 in the USA Today/ESPN head coaches poll, but fell two spots to No. 25 in the Associated Press media poll. Louisiana-Monroe is unranked. Three of Texas A&M's future opponents are ranked among the nation's top 15 - Oklahoma, Texas and Nebraska.
FOUR SCORE AND...
Big back Jorvorskie Lane scored four touchdowns in a single game for the second time in his career last week against Fresno State. His other four-TD game came against Louisiana-Lafayette in 2006. He is the first player in school history to score four or more TDs in a single game twice.
RUNAWAY TRAIN
Lane's big game on Saturday pushed him up the Aggies' career rushing touchdowns chart and to the top of the Big 12's scoring leaders list.
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. Jorvorskie Lane, 2005- 33 Greg Hill, 1991-93 33 7. Courtney Lewis, 2003-06 30 Joel Hunt, 1925-27 30 Bucky Richardson, 1987-91 30 10. Leeland McElroy, 1993-95 29 2007 Big 12 Scoring Leaders Rk Player, School Pts/G 1. Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M 16.0 2. Malcolm Kelly, Oklahoma 15.0 Marlon Lucky, Nebraska 15.0 Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech 15.0 DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma 15.0
THUNDER, LIGHTNING & MCGEE
Texas A&M is one of only two schools nationally with three rushers ranked among the top 100 in the NCAA rushing statistics.
The Aggies' trio of quarterback Stephen McGee and running backs Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodson and Oregon's threesome of QB Dennis Dixon and RBs Jonathan Stewart and Jeremiah Johnson all rank in the top 100.
There are 18 schools with two or more rushers in the top 100 in rushing yards.
As a team, A&M ranks No. 9 nationally with 289.5 rushing yards per game, while Oregon ranks No. 3 with 335.0. By the way, the nation's top 10 rushing teams have combined for a 16-2 record.
NCAA's Best Rushing Trios Rk Player, School, Pos. Yds/G #20 Stephen McGee, Texas A&M, QB 122.5 #68 Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M, RB 80.5 #96 Mike Goodson, Texas A&M, RB 67.0 #29 Dennis Dixon, Oregon, QB 108.5 #46 Jonathan Stewart, Oregon, RB 89.0 #70 Jeremiah Johnson, Oregon, RB 79.5
DOUBLE-DIGIT DODGE
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 five starts, Dodge is averaging 12.0 tackles per game and has led the team in tackles four times. In two games in 2007, Dodge is averaging 15.0 tackles, which is No. 2 in the Big 12.
Back in the Starting Lineup Opponent Year Tackles Nebraska 2006 17 * at Texas 2006 5 California (Holiday Bowl) 2006 8 * Montana State 2007 14 * Fresno State 2007 16 * * - Led team in tackles. 2007 Big 12 Tackle Leaders Rk Player, School Pos. Tackles 1. Dizon, Jordon, Colorado LB 17.5 2. Dodge, Mark, Texas A&M LB 15.0 3. Smith,James, Iowa State DB 10.0 Pugh, Jordan, Texas A&M DB 10.0 5. Jones, Brad, Colorado LB 9.5 Dykes, Daniel, Colorado DB 9.5
3,000, 4,000 ON HORIZON
Early in his second season as a starter, quarterback Stephen McGee is within range of becoming the 12th Aggie passer to hit the 3,000-yard barrier in passing yardage and the 11th player to reach 4,000 yards of total offense.
McGee, who remains the most accurate passer in school history, has thrown for 2,769 yards on 241-of-410 passing (58.8) and accounted for 3,915 yards of total offense.
- Up the Charts With a Bullet
- Passing Yards: 2,769 (Needs 231 for 3,000)
- Total Offense: 3,915 (Needs 85 for 4,000)
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
NOSE FOR THE ENDZONE
Placekicker Matt Szymanski has routinely put his kickoffs into the opponent's endzone despite the new NCAA kickoff rule. The sophomore from College Station has posted five touchbacks on 13 kickoffs and is averaging a Big 12-best 68.6 yards on his boots. The opponents' average starting spot is the 23-yard line.
Going Deep Player, School No. Avg. TB Opp. Start Matt Szymanski, Texas A&M 13 68.6 5 23 Garrett Hartley, Oklahoma 21 68.5 6 19 Adi Kunalic, Nebraska 14 68.1 7 18 Matt Fodge, Oklahoma St. 10 68.1 2 23 Scott Webb, Kansas 19 65.9 4 23 Alex Trlica, Texas Tech 15 65.8 3 27 Hunter Lawrence, Texas 11 65.1 3 25 Jeff Wolfert, Missouri 14 64.9 0 26 Josh Griebahn, Iowa State 6 61.0 0 29 Tyler Cope, Colorado 8 58.1 0 30 Caleb Allen, Baylor 8 57.9 0 21
LEADING THE WAY
Quarterback Stephen McGee is the nation's leading rusher among quarterbacks. In addition, McGee is averaging 9.8 yards per carry, which is the second-highest per carry average among players ranked in the top 60 nationally in rushing (Felix Jones of Arkansas, 10.8).
2007 NCAA QB Rushing Leaders Rk Player, School Rush Yds/G 1. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M 122.5 2. Pat White, West Virginia 111.0 3. Dennis Dixon, Oregon 108.5 4. Michael Desormeaux, La.-Lafayette 108.5 5. Julian Edelman, Kent State 105.0
SAFE PASSAGE
Quarterback Stephen McGee is in the midst of career-best streak of 123 pass attempts without an interception dating back to the 2006 Oklahoma game. In 2007, he has attempted 44 passes without a pickoff. His previous long INT-free streak was 110 that stretched from the final game of 2005 (Texas) to the fifth game of 2006 (Texas Tech). The school and Big 12 record is 213 by Reggie McNeal, who did it from the end of 2003 through the eighth game of 2004.
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 earlier this season.
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- 1,146
MONEY MEN
McGee, Lane and Goodson have combined to produced 13 "money plays" on 15 third-down rushing attempts. Lane is a perfect 4-for-4, while McGee is 6-for-7 and Goodson is 3-for-4. A "money play" is defined as plays resulting in a first down or touchdown.
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 103 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 in 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, has shifted from linebacker to fullback, and saw his first-ever action at fullback against Fresno State. 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, has shifted to cornerback for 2007. Because of depth at the position and his late position change, Batson is a candidate to redshirt 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.
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 two strong games to open the 2007 season.
Harrington, a member of a variety of watch lists for national awards, is the team leader in tackles for losses, sacks and forced fumbles after two games.
It is 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.
FSU POST-GAME WRAPUP
PLAYERS OF THE GAME (from the coaching staff):
- Offensive Back - TB Jorvorskie Lane (57 plays, 23 carries/121 yards, 4 TDs, 1 reception/8 yards
- Offensive Line - OTs Yemi Babalola (26 knockdown blocks) and Corey Clark (highest grade on video, plus 11 knockdowns)
- Defensive Line - DT Red Bryant (57 downs, 5 special teams plays, 7 tackles, sack for minus-11, two QB pressures, three QB hits, most points in coaches' grading system), and LBs Mark Dodge (78 downs, 13 special teams plays, 16 tackles) and Misi Tupe (81 downs, 9 special teams plays, 9 tackles)
- Defensive Back - CB Danny Gorrer (66 downs, 3 special teams, 9 tackles, 6 disruptions) and FS Devin Gregg (75 downs, 6 special teams, 6 tackles, fumble recovery, interception, pass broken up)
- Special Teams - DB Stephen Hodge (on three units, earned bonus points on kickoff returns)
- Scout Team Players of the Week:
- Offense - WRs Christian Caflisch and Drew Williamson; Defense - DB Justin McQueen and DE Von Miller
- Sideline Spirit Award: DB Charles Hewitt, TE Cory Multer, and FB Ryan O'Bryant
MISCELLANEOUS: In the 47-45 triple-overtime victory over Fresno State, 55 players participated in the game, including 46 on scrimmage downs and nine on special teams only. ... Seeing their first action were true freshmen Roger Holland and Billy Chavis. ... It was the first triple overtime game ever for the Aggies ... The game took a whopping four hours and 21 minutes.
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 20-3 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 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 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 Fresno State 2007 -1 +3 +2 W, 47-45 3ot
COUNT ON THE J-TRAIN
When the game was on the line in 2006, Jorvorskie Lane proved 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.
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
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
ACTIVE TACKLERS
The Aggies have nine defenders with more than 50 career tackles, including Chris Harrington and Devin Gregg, who have surpassed the century mark in career tackles.
A&M Active Career Tackles Leaders RK Player Pos. Yr Tackles 1. Chris Harrington DE Sr 113 2. Devin Gregg DB Jr. 107 3. Danny Gorrer DB Jr. 95 4. Red Bryant DL Sr. 92 5. Marquis Carpenter DB Sr. 58 Misi Tupe LB Sr. 72 Michael Bennett DL Jr. 65 8. Mark Dodge LB Sr. 81 9. Cyril Obiozor DL Jr. 58
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- 37 Red Bryant DL 2004-. 33 Chris Harrington DL 2004- 26 Corey Clark OL 2004- 26 Cody Wallace OL 2004- 26 Earvin Taylor WR 2004- 22 Danny Gorrer DB 2005- 20 Martellus Bennett TE 2005- 19 Devin Gregg DB 2005- 18 Yemi Babalola OL 2004- 17 Stephen McGee QB 2005- 16 Jorvorskie Lane RB 2005- 16 Chris Yoder OL 2004- 14 Jordan Peterson DB 2005- 13 Misi Tupe LB 2004- 10 Travis Schneider OL 2005- 9 Joey Thomas TE 2004- 7 Mark Dodge LB 2006- 7 Chris Alexander FB 2004- 6 Michael Bennett DE 2005- 6 Pierre Brown WR 2005- . 6 Marquis Carpenter DB 2005-. 6 Cyril Obiozor DL 2005- 5 Howard Morrow WR 2005- 4 Kerry Franks WR 2005- 4 Mike Goodson RB 2006- 3 Arkeith Brown DB 2005- 2 Alton Dixon DB 2005- 2 Henry Smith DL 2006- 2 Jordan Pugh DB 2006- 2 Amos Gbunblee TE/DE 2005- 1 Matt Featherston LB 2006- 1 Johnathan Batson DB 2006- 1
