Sept. 25, 2009
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COLLEGE STATION, Texas - Texas A&M wraps up a three-game, season-opening homestand Saturday night when the Aggies host the UAB Blazers at Kyle Field (83,002) ... Kickoff is set for 6:05 p.m. and the game will not be televised ... A&M is 2-0 on the young season and enters the game fresh off a 38-30 win over Utah State in College Station ... UAB is 1-2 after a 27-14 loss at Troy last week ... Saturday will mark the Blazers' third of the season against a team from the state of Texas, as UAB defeated Rice and fell to SMU, both in Birmingham, to start 2009 ... members of both coaching staffs will be wearing patches tonight as part of the "Coach to Cure MD" program sponsored by the American Football Coaches Association ... the AFCA is working to raise awareness and research funding to cure Duchenne (du-SHEN) Muscular Dystrophy, the most prolific genetic killer diagnosed in childhood.
KICKOFF: 6:05 p.m. CDT
TELEVISION: none
RADIO: Texas A&M Sports Network
Dave South, play-by-play
Dave Elmendorf, commentary
Tom Turbiville, sidelines
SATELLITE RADIO: Sirius Channel 91
LIVE AUDIO: aggieathletics.com • radioaggieland.com
GAMETRACKER: aggieathletics.com
RANKINGS: neither team is ranked
SERIES HISTORY: never met
FOLLOWING THE ACTION
• RADIO - The 50-station Texas A&M Sports Network will broadcast the game live from Kyle Field ... Dave South (play-by-play), Dave Elmendorf (commentary) and Tom Turbiville (sidelines) will call the action ... pregame show begins at 5:05 p.m. ... Sirius Satellite Radio will air the Aggie broadcast on Channel 91.
• INTERNET - aggieathletics.com will provide live play-by-play through GameTracker ... fans can listen to the broadcast free of charge on aggieathletics.com ... free live video of the postgame press conference will also be available on aggieathletics.com.
• MOBILE PHONE - listen to the game on your iPhone, Blackberry or PDA free of charge ... log on to radioaggieland.com for more information.
A&M/UAB SERIES NOTABLES
Texas A&M has never faced UAB on the football field ... the Aggies are 138-75-12 all-time against teams in Conference USA, with a large portion of those games against former longtime Southwest Conference foes TCU, Rice and Houston (all in C-USA's Western Division) ... A&M's last game against a C-USA team was on Sept. 17, 2005, a 66-8 win over SMU at Kyle Field ... the Aggies are 3-3 all-time against teams from the state of Alabama (2-0 vs Auburn, 1-3 vs Alabama) ... the last team from the state of Alabama to visit Kyle Field was the Crimson Tide, who defeated A&M 30-10 on December 1, 1988 in the infamous "Hurricane Bowl".
UP NEXT
Texas A&M hits the road for the first time in 2009, heading up to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington to face longtime rival Arkansas next Saturday in the inaugural Southwest Classic ... UAB has a quick turnaround, as the Blazers will host Conference USA foe Southern Miss Thursday night at Legion Field.
INJURY UPDATE
Lee Grimes - bruised ribs (out indefinitely) ... Christine Michael - strained calf (probable).
ABOUT THAT OFFENSE
In a stunning turnaround from 2008, the Aggies lead the nation in total offense with an average of 589.5 yards per game and are one of only two teams in the NCAA FBS to rank in the top 20 in all four major offensive categories. Last year the Aggies averaged just 340.9 total yards per game and ranked near the bottom of the Big 12 in all four categories.
Offensive Renaissance
2009 OFFENSE (AFTER TWO GAMES) 2008 OFFENSE (FINAL)
Category NCAA Big 12 Avg. Category NCAA Big 12 Avg.
Total Offense 1 1 589.5 Total Offense 78 12 340.9
Rushing Offense 11 1 248.0 Rushing Offense 114 8 88.5
Passing Offense 6 2 341.5 Passing Offense 27 11 252.4
Scoring Offense 17 4 39.5 Scoring Offense 64 11 25.0
BEST-EVER OFFENSIVE START
The Aggies raced to the top of the NCAA's total offense ranking with the best two-game offensive start in school history. With 606 yards against New Mexico and 573 yards against Utah State (1,179 total), the Aggies have far exceeded its previous best two-game start of 1,116 yards vs. Hawaii and Louisiana-Lafayette in 1990.
In fact, the Aggies' season-opening offensive largesse ranked No. 5 among A&M's best overall back-to-back offensive outputs.
TOP BACK-TO-BACK TOTAL OFFENSE GAMES
Year Yards Opponents
1990 1,302 vs. La.-Lafayette, North Texas
2005 1,273 vs. SMU, Texas State
1985 1,241 vs. La.-Monroe, Tulsa
2003 1,208 vs. Texas Tech, Baylor
2009 1,179 vs. New Mexico, Utah State
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
The Aggies' win over Utah State showcased head coach Mike Sherman's ability to shift players to different positions to maximize their talents:
Von Miller LB to 'jack' Posted 3 sacks vs. USU, leads nation in QBS
Jamie McCoy WR to TE 3 catches vs. USU, at least 3 in 12 straight games
Kyle Mangan FB to LB Team-high 11 tackles vs. Aggies
Garrick Williams DB to LB Career-best 10 stops vs. USU
BALL SECURITY IS JOB SECURITY
While the Aggies haven't forced many turnovers in 2009, A&M has held the turnover advantage in both games this season because they have played turnover-free football. The last time A&M was turnover-free in consecutive games was 2004 when the Aggies gave up no turnovers in three-straight games (all victories) against Iowa State, Oklahoma State and Colorado. The Aggies haven't thrown any interceptions in 84 attempts, and they've only put the football on the ground once and they recovered it.
MILLER LEADS THE NATION
His move to 'jack' clearly a success, junior Von Miller has an eye-catching six quarterback sacks after two games and leads the nation with a 3.0 per game average. Miller is the first Aggie defender to post three or more sacks in consecutive games since career sack leader Aaron Wallace had three in back to back games against Texas Tech and Houston in 1988. The best three-game sack total is 10 by 2009 Hall of Fame inductee John Roper, who posted 10 against Louisiana Tech, Arkansas and TCU in his 1987 All-America season.
The Aggie coaching staff created the 'jack' to utilize Miller's explosive first step and wide repertoire of pass rushing moves. As a outside linebacker last season, Miller led the team with 3.5 sacks, as the Aggies could muster only 16 QB sacks in 12 games of action. With Miller leading the way, the Aggies have already compiled 10 sacks which puts A&M on pace for a 60-sack season.
WATCH OUT FOR NWACHUKWU
True freshman Uzoma "EZ" Nwachukwu (pronounced "WATCH-a-coo") had a record-setting game with four touchdowns against Utah State. EZ took his only four touches of the game to paydirt, three by air and another by ground. EZ's four touchdowns broke the old freshman record of three set by Leeland McElroy vs. Missouri in 2003, and was the most by an Aggie since Jorvorskie Lane had four against Nebraska in 2007. His three touchdown catches matched the overall school record for receiving touchdowns, which was previously shared by three players and last achieved by Chris Cole vs. North Texas in 1998. EZ joins "Lectric" Leeland McElroy as the only players in school history to score four or more touchdowns in different ways (McElroy had two rushing and two receiving touchdown vs. Tulsa in 1995).
FRESHMAN LEADERS
For the second time in the Mike Sherman era, true freshmen were the leading rusher and receiver in a game. Against Utah State last Saturday, Uzoma "EZ" Nwachukwu (Allen, Texas / Allen) led the way with 101 receiving yards (on three catches) and Christine Michael (Beaumont, Texas / West Brook) had a team-best 94 rushing yards. Last year, the true freshman duo of Cyrus Gray and Jeff Fuller led the way for the Aggies against Colorado.
FAST START FOR JJ
No Texas A&M quarterback has ever started a season faster than junior Jerrod Johnson in 2009. Through two games, he has gained 806 yards of total offense and 671 passing yards. The previous fastest starts by Aggie quarterbacks was 672 total yards by Reggie McNeal against Utah and Wyoming in 2004 and 595 passing yards by Mark Farris vs. McNeese State and Wyoming in 2001.
JOHNSON SPREADS IT AROUND
Using eight different receivers, junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson threw for 322 yards and four touchdowns. It was the fourth 300-yard passing effort of Johnson's career, which sets a school record. Johnson becomes the second player in school history to post back-to-back 300-yard games, joining Reggie McNeal who did it against SMU and Texas State back to back in 2005. He becomes the fourth player school history with multiple four TD passing efforts to his credit, joining Gary Kubiak, Kevin Murray and Reggie McNeal. Johnson's 78 rushing yards were a career high and his 42-yarder was the longest of his career.
Johnson finished with 400 yards of total offense (322 passing and 78 rushing), making him only the second player in school history to record consecutive 400-yard games. He had 406 (349 passing/57 rushing) in the season-opener against New Mexico. The only other A&M player to do it was Reggie McNeal in 2005 against SMU and Texas State.
SCHOOL OF FISH
The Aggies have used an eye-catching 15 true freshmen in their first two games of 2009. Only once since freshmen became eligible in 1972 has Texas A&M used more true freshmen in an entire season. Head coach Tom Wilson's 1980 Aggie squad lettered a whopping 16 true freshmen from a signing class of 26 players in a 4-7 campaign. Among the standouts in 1980 signing class were future NFL Draft picks Jeff Fuller Sr., Keith Guthrie, Mark Lewis, Ken Reeves, Tommy Robison and Thomas Sanders.
Since 1972, the Aggies have awarded varsity letters to 10 or more true freshman in a season only a handful of times: 16 in 1980, 11 in 1973 and 10 in 1972 and 2008. Interestingly, only once since the advent of freshman eligibility have the Aggies not played a single true freshman (1989).
early risers
Offense
Brandal Jackson WR Navasota, Texas (Navasota) 3 catches for 17 yards vs. UNM
Patrick Lewis OL LaPlace, La. (East St. John) One of first OL off bench vs. UNM
Kenric McNeal WR Spring, Texas (Spring) 44-yard TD catch was long play of game vs. UNM
Christine Michael RB Beaumont, Texas (West Brook) best true frosh rushing debut (93 yds.) since Bucky in 87
Ryan Swope KOR Austin, Texas (Westlake) saw first action against USU on special teams
Uzoma Nwachukwu* WR Allen, Texas (Allen) 4 TDs on 4 touches against USU, team leader in rec. yards
Defense
Steven Campbell DB Houston, Texas (Jersey Village) 5 tackles after two games
Kirby Ennis DL Huntsville, Texas (Huntsville) contributed a tackle vs. Lobos
Dustin Harris* DB Livingston, Texas (Livingston) starter at CB and PR, ripped off 28-yard punt return vs USU
Michael Lamothe LB New Iberia, La. (New Iberia) saw first action vs USU, contributed tackle
Spencer Nealy DL San Antonio, Texas (Reagan) had 3 tackles, including 3rd down stop vs UNM
Sean Porter LB Schertz, Texas (Clemens) 7 tackles in two games, one of first defenders off bench
Jonathan Stewart* LB Shreveport, La. (Byrd) starter at OLB, 7 tackles in two games
Steven Terrell DB Allen, Texas (Allen) contributed two tackles in two games
Colton Valencia DB Missouri City, Texas (Hightower) entered UNM game in second half
* started first two games
NEW FACES IN OLD PLACES
Of the 67 players that have seen action this season, an amazing 30 or 44.8 percent were making their career debuts in the maroon and white. Seeing action for the first time were 15 true freshmen, six redshirt freshmen, four transfers and five squadsmen.
NEWCOMER BREAKDOWN
True Freshmen 15 see above
Redshirt Freshmen 6 Blaine Cheatham (DB), Adren Dorsey (DL),
Jeffrey Hyde (OL), Kyle Mangan (LB), Brian Thomas (OL)
Transfers 4 Matt Allen (OL/LSU), Cole Graybill (FB/Arizona),
Coryell Judie (DB/Fort Scott CC), Ken Wood (P/Montana)
Squadsmen 5 Don Bishop (TE), Michael Hodges (LB), Taylor Randle (WR),
Craig Raschke (OL), Nick Trice (WR)
FORGOTTEN MAN MORROW
With all the hoopla surrounding super sophs Howard Morrow has been somewhat of a forgotten man. But his contributions during fall camp and the New Mexico season-opener shouldn't be overlooked. Head coach Mike Sherman consistently pointed out Morrow's hard work in fall practices, and Morrow lived up to the billing against the Lobos with a solid three catches for 20 yards, including one that produced a first down.
Morrow's success as a senior will likely be linked to a noticeable body change from the offseason. With the help of strength and conditioning coach Dave Kennedy and nutritionist Amy Bragg, Morrow says he lost about 25 pounds since the end of the Spring 2009 semester. "I'm a lot quicker and faster now," Morrow said. "As I got older, the game slowed down for me so that hasn't changed much. But I feel like I have more of an advantage over the defensive backs than I did before. My body feels so much better at 197 than it does at 220. I feel like I'm back at Fossil Ridge (High School)." [Source: Maroon & White Report, Aug. 14, 2009]
Morrow is one of 14 fifth-year seniors on the Aggie roster, but he's the only one that saw action in the 2005 season. Morrow started three games as a true freshman and had six catches for 94 yards that season. His football career at A&M has extended to five seasons due to a season-ending wrist injury that forced him to redshirt in 2007.
IT'S PRONOUNCED "CHRIS-TIN"
True freshman running back Christine Michael made his much anticipated collegiate debut against New Mexico, and he didn't disappoint as he wowed the Kyle Field faithful with his impressive blend of power and acceleration. He finished his first night in the maroon and white with a game-high 93 yards and a touchdown on just 11 carries (8.5 yards per carry), which was the most rushing yards by a true freshman in his debut game since quarterback Bucky Richardson rushed for 102 yards on five carries against the Brett Favre-led Southern Miss Golden Eagles in 1987 (see chart to left). Unlike Richardson, who benefitted from an 82-yard touchdown run, Michael got his yards with a series of impressive runs. Michael posted four double-digit runs, including 20- and 24-yarders, and had no negative yardage on the night.
He continued his fast start with another strong game against Utah State. Michael piled up 238 all-purpose yards on 23 touches (10.3 yards per touch) against the Aggies, and currently ranks No. 5 nationally with an average of 196.0 all-purpose yards per game.
ABOUT THE NAME
Michael's first name is spelled "Christine," but it's pronounced "Chris-tin." Michael reports that his unusual first name was given to him by his mother, who really wanted her first child to be a girl and already had the name chosen. "My mom wanted her first child to be a girl, and she had my name picked out from Day 1. She thought it was unique for a boy. Now, whatever anyone wants to call me, I just go along with it." [Source: San Antonio Express-News, Sept. 8, 2009]
THREE-CATCH McCOY
Senior Mackey Award candidate Jamie McCoy grabbed three catches (for 66 yards) against Utah State, and now has 12 straight games with at least three catches to his credit.
McCOY'S MAJOR MOVE
In one of the most successful position changes of the Jamie McCoy move from seldom-used quarterback/wide receiver to tight end paid immediate dividends in 2008 and has made McCoy into one of the nation's top tight ends entering 2009. A member of the John Mackey Award "watch list," McCoy ranks second among returning Big 12 tight ends in receptions after catching 43 passes for 500 yards and five scores (matched the A&M record for tight ends). McCoy caught at least one ball in every game last year, and had at least three in the final 10 games of 2008. A clutch receiver, McCoy's catches produced 30 first downs in 2008.
RYAN "DIECISIETE"?
Similar to Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who handled the Bengals' placekicking duties in a recent preseason game, the Aggies' Ryan Tannehill is capable of playing many roles.
Last year he was a record-setting wide receiver. He is also the Aggies' emergency punter, but there is no proof that he could handle placekicking chores a la Ochocinco. This season, however, Tannehill is focusing on quarterback as he was promised by Aggie head coach Mike Sherman when he agreed to moved to wide receiver prior to the 2008 season-opener. Tannehill came out of nowhere to grab 55 catches for 844 yards, both freshman records, last season.
Tannehill recently lost a close battle for the starting quarterback job to incumbent Jerrod Johnson, but remains under center according to Sherman. "Ryan's going to be a heck of a quarterback here," Sherman said. "Are there going to be some situations where he'll be on the field? Possibly. But right now we're still focusing on the quarterback aspect of it." [AggieAthletics.com, Aug. 24, 2009] Tannehill doesn't seem content to hold a clipboard on the sideline. "I definitely want to be on the field," Tannehill said. "It's hard to help the team standing on the sidelines." [Source: MySanAntonio.com, Aug. 25]
Tannehill has made eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown through the first two games of 2009.
RIVALRY RENEWED
The Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks will renew their longtime rivalry in the Southwest Classic on Oct. 3 at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The former Southwest Confererence rivals agreed to a 10-year series to be played annually in Cowboys Stadium. The Aggies and Razorbacks have not faced each other on the gridiron since the Hogs bolted the SWC to move east to the Southeastern Conference after the 1991 season. The Hogs, who will be the designated home team in this year's meeting, hold a 38-24-3 overall, but the two teams split the final 10 meetings in the series.
PRO DADS
The 2009 Texas A&M football roster is dotted several players whose father were accomplished professionals in the NFL or NBA.
Senior offensive center Kevin Matthews' father, Bruce, was a perennial All-Pro offensive lineman for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
Sophomore wide receiver Jeff Fuller's father, Jeff Sr., was a standout defensive back for the Aggies from 1980-83 and then the San Francisco 49ers from 1984-88.
True freshman defensive lineman Spencer Nealy's dad, Ed, was an All-Big Eight forward at Kansas State and played 10 seasons in the NBA, including with the 1992-93 Chicago Bulls that won the NBA title.
True freshman defensive lineman Wells Childress' father, Ray, still ranks in the top five in tackles and QB sacks in A&M history and went on to a long career with the Houston Oilers in NFL.
TAKING IT FOR THE TEAM
"Team" and "teamwork" are two of the main tenets of Matt Featherston and junior Lucas Patterson are perfect examples of this philosophy. Both upperclassmen changed positions during the offseason because it was the best move for the team, and they did so without complaint.
Featherston was the team leader in tackler at linebacker last season, but moved to the new hybrid DE/LB "Jack" position where he will backup junior Von Miller. Patterson moved from starting defensive tackle to offensive line without the benefit of spring practice (due to a broken leg suffered last season), but moved back to defense midway through fall camp because of depth issues on the D-line. Patterson summed it up simply, "I'm needed more over there, and ultimately this is to help the team." [Source: San Antonio Express-News, Aug. 28, 2009]
UNCOMMON HOME STAND FOR AGGIES
The Aggies are playing their first three games of the season in the friendly confines of Kyle Field for the second time in three years, but also just the second time since the first three years of former A&M head coach Jackie Sherrill's stint at A&M in 1982-84. In Sherrill's first three seasons, A&M opened with three or more consecutive home games to open the year.
NON-CONFERENCE GRAVEYARD
Kyle Field has been a graveyard for non-conference opponents with the Aggies posting a 58-6 record (90.6 winning percentage) over the past 25 years against non-Southwest Conference or Big 12 foes.
"BULL" MARKET
A question mark a year ago, the placekicker position appears to be a strength for the Aggies in 2009 with the return of sophomore Randy Bullock. In last year's season-opener, the Aggies missed a pair of field goals from less than 40 yards in a 18-14 loss. Bullock pulled off his redshirt in the sixth game of 2008 and responded with 6-of-7 field goals and made 20 straight extra points after missing the first one of his career. Bullock also showed a strong leg by booting a 46-yard field goal against Texas Tech, which was the longest by an A&M kicker since 2004.
Through two games in 09, Bullock has converted three of four field goal attempts, with the lone miss being a fourth-quarter block by Utah State. He has also converted all 10 extra points and has made 29 in a row entering Saturday's game.
TURNOVERS TELL STORY
Since 2005, the Aggies have compiled a 21-4 record in games with a plus turnover margin. In games with an even or minus turnover margin, the Aggies are 6-19.
EXCELLING IN THE CLASSROOM
Seven Aggies have already earned their bachelor's degree from Texas A&M, which ranks among the most in the nation. The Aggies with diplomas already in hand are: Lee Grimes, Jamie McCoy, Ryan O'Bryant, Jordan Pugh, Matt Rankin and DeMaurier Thompson.
HALF-MILLION AT KYLE
Texas A&M drew more than a half million fans to Kyle Field for the fifth time in school history in 2008. A&M's final 2008 home attendance total was 575,351 for a seven-game average of 82,193, third best in school history.
WALK-ON IMPACT
Head coach Mike Sherman' love of competition at all positions led to a number of non-scholarship players that return this season earning playing time in 2008.
NFL EXPERIENCE
The Aggie coaching staff has deep ties to the National Football League. Of the 10 coaches on the A&M staff, seven have experience in the NFL either as coach or as a player, or both. Leading the way is offensive coordinator Nolan Cromwell, who coached 17 years in the NFL with three teams and played 11 seasons. Other double-digit NFLers are head coach Mike Sherman (11 years with three teams, including six as head coach of the Green Bay Packers) and quarterback coach Tom Rossley (11 years with four teams).
IMPRESSIVE ASSISTANTS
• Nolan Cromwell from the Seattle Seahawks, Kirk Doll from the Denver Broncos. From the college ranks, Sherman hired Joe Kines from Alabama, Buddy Wyatt from Nebraska, Van Malone from the previous coaching staff.
• Several members of Sherman's staff had successful NFL playing careers. Nolan Cromwell was a four-time Pro Bowl safety and the NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1980. Van Malone played five seasons for the Detroit Lions and served as the special teams captain.
• Prior to Texas A&M, Sherman served on the same coaching staff with Nolan Cromwell with the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, Kirk Doll at Texas A&M.
• As head coach at SMU from 1991-96, Tom Rossley led the Mustangs to a 21-21 tie with the Aggies in 1994, which ended A&M's record 27-game conference winning streak. It was the only blemish on the Aggies' undefeated season that year.
• Three members of the staff had previous ties to the A&M program. Kirk Doll was the Aggies' linebackers coach from 1988-93 under Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum. Buddy Wyatt coached the defensive line at A&M from 2000-02 under Slocum and Van Malone is in his fourth season coaching the Aggies' safeties.
Mike Sherman RADIO SHOW
The weekly Mike Sherman Radio Show will air on Mondays at 7 p.m. live from Wings N More at the University Drive location in College Station. The show is broadcast locally on WTAW (1620 AM) and fans are invited to join Coach Sherman and host Dave South at the restaurant to ask questions and to get Coach Sherman's thoughts on the season.
If you are unable to attend in person, fans can submit questions via email to coach@athletics.tamu.edu as well as a link on the front page of the football section of AggieAthletics.com. The show will air weekly, with the final show airing on Tuesday, Nov. 17 due to a men's basketball game on Monday, Nov. 16.