Game 4: Texas A&M (3-0) at Miami (2-1)
Sep 17, 2007 | Football
September 17, 2007
Game notes for Thursday's nationally-televised game against Miami at the Orange Bowl (PDF link to the right)...
GAME 4:
Texas A&M AGGIES (3-0, 0-0 Big 12)
at
Miami HURRICANES (2-1, 0-0 ACC)
GAME INFORMATION
| GAME INFO |
| Thursday, Sept. 20, 6:45 p.m. (CDT) Orange Bowl (72,319), Miami, Fla. |
| RECORDS |
| Texas A&M: 3-0, 0-0 Big 12 Miami: 2-1, 0-0 ACC |
| RANKINGS |
| A&M is ranked 16th by USA Today and 20th by the AP. |
| TELEVISION |
| ESPN HD Chris Fowler, play-by-play Doug Flutie/Craig James, commentary Erin Andrews, sidelines |
| RADIO |
| WTAW-AM 1620 (Local) Dave South, play-by-play Dave Elmendorf, commentary Tom Turbiville, sidelines (broadcast time 5:30 p.m. CDT) |
| INTERNET |
| Live Audio (Free): (Aggies All-Access) Live Stats: (hurricanesports.com) |
| SERIES |
| A&M leads, 1-0 Only Meeting: A&M 70, UM 14 (12/8/44) |
| UP NEXT |
| A&M hosts Baylor Saturday, Sept. 29, 11:30 a.m. (CDT) Kyle Field TV: Versus |
The Aggies and the Hurricanes have faced each other once previously. The prior meeting was a 70-14 victory by the Aggies in Miami in the 1944 season finale. The 70 points by the Aggies still stand as the ninth-most points ever scored by A&M in a game. It will be the Aggies' first trip to Florida since 1968 when the Aggies fell to Florida State, 20-14, in Tallahassee. ... In addition to the 1944 meeting with Miami, the Aggies have played in the Orange Bowl one other time - the famed "Kiddie Corps" fell to LSU, 19-14, in the 1944 Orange Bowl.
IN THE RANKINGS
After last Saturday's win over Louisiana-Monroe, Texas A&M rose to No. 16 in the USA Today/ESPN head coaches poll and No. 20 in the Associated Press media poll. Miami is unranked.
The No. 16 ranking in the coaches poll matches the highest ranking of the Dennis Franchione era. The Aggies were also ranked No. 16 by the AP on Oct. 24, 2004.
The last time the Aggies were ranked higher than No. 16 in either the coaches or media poll was 1999 when A&M entered the Alamo Bowl ranked No. 13.
IN THE ZONE ... AGAIN
Big back Jorvorskie Lane continued to bull his way into the endzone with a pair of touchdowns in Saturday's blowout of Louisiana-Monroe. After three games, Lane has seven touchdowns for a scoring average of 14.7 points per game, which ranks No. 2 in the Big 12 and No. 4 nationally.
2007 NCAA Scoring Leaders Rk Player, School Pts./G 1. Steve Slaton, West Virginia 18.0 Ray Rice, Rutgers 18.0 3. Michael Crabtree, Texas Tech 16.0 4. Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M 14.7 5. Four players 14.0
RUNAWAY TRAIN
Lane moved into a tie for No. 3 on A&M's all-time career rushing touchdowns list with the Aggies' original big back George "Big Woo" Woodard, whose highest recorded weight was 255 points (although his weight did not change from 1977-79).
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 Jorvorskie Lane, 2005-Present 35 4. Curtis Dickey, 1976-79 34 5. 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
HEAVYWEIGHTS
Texas A&M has a history of big backs with colorful nicknames and the ability to get into the endzone.
Nose for the Endzone Player, Years Wt. Notable Ja'Mar Toombs, 1998-2000 275 28 career TDs; 14 in 2000 ?Nickname: Tooooooooombs Jorvorskie Lane, 2005- 268 Record 19 TDs in '06; 35 for career ?Nickname: J-Train, Lane Train, Round Mound of Touchdown George Woodard, 1975-79 255 Double digit TDs in '76, '77 ?Nickname: Big Woo Robert Wilson, 1988-90 245 10 TDs as freshman in '88 ?Nickname: Bull D'Andre Hardeman, 1995-99 232 17 TDs in '96; Record 95-yard run ?Nickname: Touchdown Tiki John Kimbrough, 1938-40 220 10 TDs for 1939 National Champs ?Nickname: Jarrin' Jawn, Haskell Hurricane, Big John
THUNDER, LIGHTNING & MCGEE
Texas A&M is one of only three 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 join threesomes from Navy and West Virginia in the national 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. 5 nationally with 296.3 rushing yards per game. By the way, the nation's top 10 rushing teams have combined for a 22-5 record.
NCAA's Best Rushing Trios Rk Player, School, Pos. Yds/G #46 Stephen McGee, Texas A&M, QB 87.7 #64 Mike Goodson, Texas A&M, RB 82.3 #95 Jorvorskie Lane, Texas A&M, RB 65.0 #12 Steve Slaton, West Virginia, RB 130.8 #52 Noel Devine, West Virginia, RB 85.3 #66 Pat White, West Virginia, QB 81.3 #57 Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada, Navy, QB 84.7 #91 Shun White, Navy, RB 68.0 #95 Adam Ballard, Navy, RB 65.0
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 six starts, Dodge is averaging 10.3 tackles per game despite posting only two stops last week while being limited by injuries suffered against Fresno State. During the six-game span, Dodge has led the team in tackles four times. In three games in 2007, Dodge is averaging a team-high 10.7 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 * La.-Monroe 2007 2 * - Led team in tackles. 2007 Big 12 Tackle Leaders Rk Player, School Pos. Tackles 1. Dizon, Jordon, Colorado LB 16.3 2. Dodge, Mark, Texas A&M LB 10.7 3. Curtis Lofton, Oklahoma LB 9.3 Pugh, Jordan, Texas A&M DB 9.3 5. Dykes, Daniel, Colorado DB 9.0 Christopher, Brock, Missouri LB 9.0
SAFE PASSAGE
Quarterback Stephen McGee had his career best streak of 150 pass attempts without an interception snapped on his 28th pass against Louisiana-Monroe. It was the second triple-digit INT-free streak for McGee, who also had 110 attempts from 2005-06 without a pickoff.
The school and Big 12 record is 213 by A&M's Reggie McNeal, who did it from the end of 2003 through the eighth game of 2004.
OLD SCHOOL TIGHT END
For some tight ends, their value can be measured simply by looking at their receptions total at the end of a game. But that's not the case with the Aggies' Martellus Bennett, who might be the nation's best block/catch tight end.
When asked what defines him as a tight end, Bennett says, "My knuckles are dirty. If you want to be called a tight end, show me some dirty hands."
Bennett has always impressed with his blocking skills, both at the point of attack and down the field. The 6-foot-7, 255-pounder has 34 knockdown blocks after three games and is also the Aggies' far-and-away receptions leader with 14 catches for 166 yards.
Adds A&M tight end coach Mark Tommerdahl: "In Martellus we have a tight end who is presently our leading receiver and he likes to block. He's a true tight end who wants to be in the game every play, and he understands the importance of his blocking ability to our team and his future. As he matures, he is focusing on improving his practice habits and finishing. When you define the position tight end in its truest sense, he certainly can become the complete package."
Bennett's Knockdowns/Catches Opponent Knockdowns Rec./Yards Montana State ?9 3/33 Fresno State 17 5/35 Louisiana-Monroe ?8 6/98 Total 34 14/166
PASSING MILESTONES
McGee's 237 passing yards and 255 total offensive yards against Louisiana-Monroe pushed his career totals past the 3,000- and 4,000-yard levels, respectively. Early in his second season as a starter, McGee became the 12th quarterback in school history to surpass 3,000 passing yards (3,006) and the 11th player to reach 4,000 yards in total offense (4,170).
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 eight touchbacks on 21 kickoffs and is averaging 67.8 yards on his boots. The opponents' average starting spot is the 22-yard line.
Going Deep Player, School No. Avg. TB Opp. Start Matt Szymanski, Texas A&M 21 67.8 8 22
MONEY MEN
Stephen McGee, Jorvorskie Lane and Mike Goodson have been nearly automatic on third- and fourth-down rushes. The trio have produced a "money play" on 19 of 20 rushing attempts on third and fourth down. Lane is a perfect 7-for-7, McGee is 7-for-8 and Goodson is 5-of-5.
McGee/Lane/Goodson Situation 1st Down TD $ Attempts 3rd down rush 15 4 17 18 4th down rush 1 1 2 2 Total 16 5 19 20 $ - "Money Plays" are defined as plays resulting in a first down or a touchdown
KING OF THE ROAD
Quarterback Stephen McGee has a career 5-1 record in starts away from the friendly confines of Kyle Field. Prior to McGee's ascension to starting quarterback, the Aggies were 3-13 in games away from Kyle in the Dennis Franchione era.
NEW RULE, BETTER RESULTS
Senior Kerry Franks, the Big 12's top kick returner in 2006, has continued to enhance his reputation as the league's most dangerous return man. With most teams kicking away from him, Franks is still averaging 36.7 yards on three returns this season.
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- 24- 635 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- 26.5 4. Carl Roaches, 1972-75 25.3 5. Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 24.5
LEADING THE WAY
Quarterback Stephen McGee ranks as the nation's No. 4 rusher among quarterbacks. In addition, McGee is averaging 9.1 yards per carry, which is the highest per carry average among players ranked in the top 50 nationally in rushing.
2007 NCAA QB Rushing Leaders Rk Player, School Rush Yds/G 1. Kellen Lewis, Indiana 105.6 2. Dennis Dixon, Oregon 92.0 3. Jake Locker, Washington 89.7 4. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M 87.7 Michael Desormeaux, La.-Lafayette 87.7 2007 NCAA Yards Per Carry Leaders (Among players ranked in the top 50 nationally) Rk Player, School Rush Yds/G 1. Stephen McGee, Texas A&M (QB) 9.1 2. Stafon Johnson, USC 9.0 3. Felix Jones, Arkansas 8.0 4. Kellen Lewis, Indiana (QB) 7.6 5. Reggie Arnold, Arkansas State 7.5
JOIN THE CLUB ...
Stephen McGee became the 37th member, and just the fifth QB, of 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- 1,164
TURNOVER ADVANTAGE
During the Dennis Franchione era at Texas A&M, the Aggies are 21-3 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 La.-Monroe 2007 -1 +2 +1 W, 54-14
COMPLETE GAME
The Aggie offense produced one of the most complete efforts of the Dennis Franchione era against Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday:
The Aggies ran 77 plays without any negative yardage, while averaging 7.1 yards per play.
A&M did not punt for the first time since 1990. Prior to 1990, the last time A&M didn't punt was the 1982 Boston College game that jump-started Doug Flutie's Heisman campaign.
The Aggies scored on 9-of-10 drives, including seven touchdown drives.
The Aggies were 13-of-19 on third- and fourth-down tries, including 4-of-4 on fourth downs.
BAND OF BROTHERS
The Aggies' "Band of Brothers" offensive line has paved the way for three-straight 250-yard rushing peformances, including a pair of 300-yard efforts this season.
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 fifth-year senior foursome has combined to start 107 career games. Add in three-year starter Yemi Babalola and the Aggies' offensive front combined for a whopping 125 starts.
1,000-YARD RUSHERS
The Aggies' Jorvorskie Lane (1,515), Stephen McGee (1,164) and Mike Goodson (1,094) have all surpassed the 1,000-yard barrier in career rushing yards.
BENNETT BACK TO #13
Tight end Martellus Bennett will be back in his familiar No. 13 jersey after wearing No. 85 last Saturday to honor his friend, former Hurricanes tight end Kevin Everett, who suffered a cervical spine injury on Sept. 8. Wearing No. 85, Bennett matched his career high with a game-high six catches for 98 yards against Louisiana-Monroe.
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.
- 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 three 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.
ULM POST-GAME WRAPUP
- PLAYERS OF THE GAME (FROM THE COACHING STAFF):
- Offensive Back - TB Michael Goodson (11 carries/113 yards, 10.3 avg. carry, 1 pass reception, 1 TD; QB Stephen McGee (19/33 passing, 237 yards, 1 TD, 4 carries/18 yards)
- Offensive Line - OT Yemi Babalola (2 0 knockdown blocks); C Cody Wallace (15 knockdowns)
- Defensive Line - DE Chris Harrington (5 tackles, 3 QB hits)
- Defensive Back - CB Jordan Peterson (3 tackles, 2 disrupts, 1 pass broken up, 1 interception w/ 54-yard return)
- Special Teams - DB Arkeith Brown (26 grading points across 4 units, perfect on all 14 assignments); K Matt Szymanski (2/2 FG, 45 and 19 yards, 6/6 PAT, 2 touchback kickoffs, avg. starting point on KO their 20)
- Scout Team Players of the Week:
- Offense - TE Cory Multer; Defense - DE Brandon Joiner and LB Gary Randall
- Sideline Spirit Award: LB Gary Randall
MISCELLANEOUS: The Aggies used 77 players against ULM, including 64 on scrimmage downs and 13 on special teams only ... Seeing his first action of his career was true freshman defensive end Von Miller ... Other firsts include true freshman wide receiver Roger Holland's first reception, and redshirt freshman quarterback Jerrod Johnson's first rushing touchdowns.
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 * 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.
BRANTLY'S QUEST
Punter Justin Brantly, averaging 42.7 yards per boot on nine punts in 2007, continues his chase for Shane Lechler's school record for career punt average.
Career Punt Average List RK Player, Years Punt Avg. 1. Shane Lechler, 1996-99 44.7 2. Justin Brantly, 2005- 43.7 3. Todd Tschantz, 1984-86 42.4 4. Phil Scoggin, 1964-65 41.9 5. David Davis, 1991-92 41.8
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 tied 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).
COUNT ON THE J-TRAIN
When the game was on the line in 2006, Jorvorskie Lane proved that he could 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
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
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
ACTIVE TACKLERS
The Aggies have 10 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 117 2. Devin Gregg DB Jr. 113 3. Danny Gorrer DB Jr. 98 4. Red Bryant DL Sr. 94 5. Mark Dodge LB Sr. 83 6. Misi Tupe LB Sr. 79 7. Michael Bennett DL Jr. 66 8. Cyril Obiozor DL Jr. 65 9. Marquis Carpenter DB Sr. 59 10. Alton Dixon DB Jr. 55
STARTING POINT
The Aggies have 33 players with at least one career start to their credit, including 15 with double-digit starts. Leading the way is four-year starter Kirk Elder, who has made 38-straight starts at offensive guard.
Active Career Starts Leaders Player Pos. Year Starts Kirk Elder OL 2004- 38 Red Bryant DL 2004-. 34 Chris Harrington DL 2004- 27 Corey Clark OL 2004- 27 Cody Wallace OL 2004- 27 Earvin Taylor WR 2004- 23 Danny Gorrer DB 2005- 21 Martellus Bennett TE 2005- 20 Devin Gregg DB 2005- 19 Yemi Babalola OL 2004- 18 Stephen McGee QB 2005- 17 Jorvorskie Lane RB 2005- 17 Chris Yoder OL 2004- 15 Jordan Peterson DB 2005- 13 Misi Tupe LB 2004- 11 Travis Schneider OL 2005- 9 Mark Dodge LB 2006- 8 Pierre Brown WR 2005- . 7 Marquis Carpenter DB 2005-. 7 Joey Thomas TE 2004- 7 Chris Alexander FB 2004- 6 Michael Bennett DE 2005- 6 Cyril Obiozor DL 2005- 6 Kerry Franks WR 2005- 5 Howard Morrow WR 2005- 4 Alton Dixon DB 2005- 3 Henry Smith DL 2006- 3 Jordan Pugh DB 2006- 3 Mike Goodson RB 2006- 3 Arkeith Brown DB 2005- 2 Amos Gbunblee TE/DE 2005- 1 Matt Featherston LB 2006- 1 Johnathan Batson DB 2006- 1
