Aug. 15, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas - The Texas A&M football team had a strong showing on Saturday with a pair of successful workouts in the first two-a-day outing of fall camp. The squad worked out for just over 90 minutes in the morning at the Coolidge Practice Fields before stepping indoors for an hour-and-a-half workout in the afternoon inside the McFerrin Athletic Center.
"This was the best two-a-day practice we've had since I've been here," head coach Mike Sherman said. "The guys came out ready to work, they had fun, they competed, and it wasn't drudgery. They came out with the right mindset and if they do that each day, we're going to chip away and get better. I thought we really got better today. We made a big step. Today was a good day for the Aggies."
Sherman was asked about the battle at quarterback after six days of fall camp, and he reiterated that the position is still up for grabs.
"Our quarterbacks were solid today, but we still have a long ways to go," Sherman said. "They are making good decisions right now but not timely ones, and we have to make those faster. It's probably still a little bit early (for a decision on the starter). They're both competing, and we're fortunate that we have two good guys competing against each other but at the same time maintaining their friendship. It's a good healthy competition that will bring out the best in both of them."
The team will now turn to its first scrimmage of the fall, scheduled for Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Kyle Field.
"Hopefully we'll have some good execution," Sherman said. "This will be like a preseason game for me. We're going to take a look at a lot of young players and put them in positions to see if they can rise above their experience and help our football team. I'm sure there they'll make a ton of mistakes but we want to see effort, toughness and desire tomorrow from these guys. I hope the experienced guys play like they can and the inexperienced guys show us some promise of what they can do for us down the road."
Fans wishing to attend practice that do not have the proper University parking permit are reminded to park in either the University Center Parking Garage across from Rudder Tower or the West Campus Parking Garage facing the press box side of Kyle Field.
Texas A&M opens the 2009 season at home against New Mexico on Sept. 5. Season tickets, discount tickets and the "Texas Three Step" tickets are still available by contacting the ticket office at 1-888-99-AGGIE (888-992-4443) or locally at 979-845-2311. For ticket information on the web, go to AggieAthletics.com and click on tickets.