Nov. 23, 2009
COLLEGE STATION, Texas--Texas A&M (6-5, 3-4) closes out the regular season on Thanksgiving night when the Aggies host third-ranked Texas (11-0, 7-0) in the State Farm Lone Star Showdown at Kyle Field ... the game will kick at 7:06 p.m. and will be televised nationally by ESPN ... both teams are coming off dominating wins at home on Saturday, A&M 38-3 over Baylor and Texas 51-20 over Kansas ... Thursday's game will mark the first Thanksgiving night contest at Kyle Field since 1993, an 18-9 Aggie victory ... Texas A&M will honor its senior class prior to kickoff ... the Aggies are 5-1 at Kyle Field in 2009, while Texas is 4-0 on the road ... limited tickets are still available for the game by calling 888-99-AGGIE or visiting aggieathletics.com.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES (6-5, 3-4 Big 12) vs #3 TEXAS LONGHORNS (11-0, 7-0 Big 12)
TELEVISION: ESPN HD (National)
Chris Fowler, play-by-play
Craig James, commentary
Jesse Palmer, commentary
Erin Andrews, sidelines
RADIO: Texas A&M Sports Network (see page 7)
Dave South, play-by-play
Dave Elmendorf, commentary
SATELLITE RADIO: Sirius Channel 122 / XM Channel 102 (best of Sirius)
LIVE AUDIO: aggieathletics.com • radioaggieland.com
LIVE STATS: aggieathletics.com
RANKINGS: Texas (No. 2 USA Today/No. 3 AP/No. 3 BCS)
SERIES HISTORY: Texas leads, 74-36-5 / Big 12 only: Texas leads, 9-4
A&M STREAKS: Lost 1 / Last 5 (2-3) / Last 10 (3-7)
LAST MEETING: UT 49, A&M 9 (Nov. 27, 2008 in Austin)
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) and Dave Elmendorf (commentary) will call the action ... pregame show begins at 6 p.m. ... Sirius Satellite Radio will air the Aggie broadcast on Channel 122 ... XM subscribers who have the “Best of Sirius” package can tune in on Channel 102 ... fans attending the game can listen on WTAW-AM 1620.
• INTERNET - aggieathletics.com will offer live play-by-play and statistics ... fans can listen to the broadcast free of charge on aggieathletics.com ... free video of A&M's postgame press conference will 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/TEXAS SERIES NOTABLES
The series with Texas is the most played in Aggie football history ... Thursday's game will mark the 116th between the rivals, with UT leading the overall series, 74-36-5 ... A&M has won two of the last three meetings, including a 38-30 victory over the then 12th-ranked Longhorns in their last trip to Kyle Field in 2007 ... UT took last year's matchup, 49-9, at Memorial Stadium in Austin ... Texas has won nine of the 13 meetings in Big 12 play and in that time is 3-3 at Kyle Field ... the Aggies' wins over the Longhorns at home in Big 12 play have come in 1997 (27-16), 1999 (20-16) and 2007 (38-30) ... Texas is 4-8 against the Aggies at Kyle Field since 1985 ... Mike Sherman is 0-1 versus Texas, while Mack Brown is 8-3 against A&M.
INJURY UPDATE
Coryell Judie - shoulder surgery (out for season) ... RICKY CAVANAUGH - knee (out for season).
ESPN AND KYLE FIELD
Texas A&M has played 35 games all-time on ESPN, and the Aggies sport a 22-13 record on the channel ... A&M is 11-2 at Kyle Field in games televised by ESPN ... ESPN's last visit to Kyle Field was in 1993, when the Aggies defeated Texas, 18-9 ... ESPN2 has televised just one game from Kyle Field, a 19-11 Kansas win back in 2007.
SENIOR CLASS OF 2009
The Texas A&M senior class of 2009 will be playing its final game in Kyle Field when the Aggies and Longhorns battle on Thanksgiving Day. Here are some of their accomplishments:
• The class has compiled a 26-23 overall record with two games to play.
• During their careers, the 2009 seniors have played in two bowl games (2006 Holiday vs. California and 2007 Alamo vs. Penn State) and are bowl-eligible in 2009.
• Only five senior classes in school history will have played in more bowls than the 2009 seniors (1978, 1992, 1993, 2000 and 2001).
• These seniors go into Thursday's game against Texas with a 2-1 record against their archrivals.
• Beat Texas Tech in Lubbock (52-30 in 2009) for the first time since 1993.
• Beat Texas in Austin (12-7 in 2006) for the first time since 1994.
• Beat four ranked teams: No. 19 Missouri (25-19 in 2006); No. 11 Texas (12-7 in 2006); No. 12 Texas (38-30 in 2007); and No. 21 Texas Tech (52-30 in 2009).
A&M-TEXAS CONNECTIONS
Aggies safeties coach Van Malone was a first-team All-Southwest Conference safety and team captain at Texas in the early 1990s … former A&M quarterbacks coach Greg Davis (1979-1984) is the Longhorns' offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach … former A&M running backs coach Ken Rucker (1994-97 and 2001-02) is the Longhorns' Director of High School Relations and Player Development.
GOING BOWLING
The Aggies earned their sixth victory to become bowl-eligible in head coach Mike Sherman's second season at Texas A&M. A&M has been to 30 bowl games in its history, including six in the last 10 years and two of the last three. In attendance at last Saturday's game were bowl representatives from the Independence Bowl (4 p.m. CST on Dec. 28 in Shreveport, La.) and the Texas Bowl (2:30 p.m. CST on Dec. 31 in Houston, Texas).
AGGIES VS. TOP-10 TEAMS
The Aggies have lost 12 straight games to Associated Press Top 10 teams dating back to A&M's 30-26 win over top-ranked Oklahoma at Kyle Field in 2002. Five of those losses have come at the hands of the Longhorns. The 2009 Longhorns come to College Station with a No. 3 ranking in the AP poll. A&M has faced three No. 3 teams in its history and are winless in those games.
UNDENIABLE TRENDS
In the “not sure what it means” category, the Aggies are 6-0 in non-televised games, and 0-5 in televised contests. In the “know what it means” category, the Aggies are 6-0 when they rush for 200 yards or more, and 0-5 in games when they rush for less than 200 yards.
MAGIC NUMBER is 200
Opponent Rush Yds TV? Result
Baylor 375 No W, 38-3
*at Texas Tech 321 No W, 52-30
*Iowa State 267 No W, 35-10
Utah State 251 No W, 38-30
New Mexico 245 No W, 41-6
UAB 236 No W, 56-19
at Colorado 132 FCS L, 35-34
*vs Arkansas 113 ESPN L, 47-19
*Oklahoma State 109 FSN L, 36-31
*at Oklahoma 59 FSN L, 65-10
at Kansas State -13 FCS L, 62-14
* denotes bowl eligible teams
UNDERCLASS FLASH
The Aggies have produced 88 plays of 20 yards or more, including an eye-catching 74 coming from freshmen or sophomores. The Aggies' 10 longest plays of the season have been produced by underclassmen.
AGGIES PLAYING 18 TRUE FRESHMEN IN 2009
Texas A&M is playing an extraordinary number of true freshmen in 2009. The Aggies have used 18 true freshmen from head coach Mike Sherman's second signing class, which is a school record. The previous high number of true freshmen to see action for the Aggies was 15 for Tom Wilson's 1980 team, which finished 4-7. Including among the 1980 freshmen 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: 15 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/SPECIALISTS (8)
Stephen Barrera* OL Clear Lake, Texas (Clear Lake) started three games at OT
Ryan Epperson P Keller, Texas (Keller) season debut at Texas Tech
Brandal Jackson* WR Navasota, Texas (Navasota) 15 catches for 231 yards
Patrick Lewis* OL LaPlace, La. (East St. John) started at OG past seven games
Kenric McNeal WR Spring, Texas (Spring) 44-yard TD catch was long play of game vs. UNM
Christine Michael* RB Beaumont, Texas (West Brook) school record 97-yd run vs Baylor; #2 on team in rushing
Ryan Swope* WR Austin, Texas (Westlake) first career start at CU; over 100 yds for season
Uzoma Nwachukwu* WR Allen, Texas (Allen) among NCAA leaders in yards/catch
Defense (10)
Aaron Arterburn LB Rockwall, Texas (Rockwall) saw first action vs OSU, has 6 tackles in 4 games
Steven Campbell* DB Houston, Texas (Jersey Village) 8 tackles in first start vs OSU
Kirby Ennis DL Huntsville, Texas (Huntsville) active interior defender has 11 tackles and .5 TFL
Dustin Harris* DB Livingston, Texas (Livingston) starter at CB and PR, career high 8 tackles vs OSU
Michael Lamothe LB New Iberia, La. (New Iberia) seen action in 10 games
Spencer Nealy DL San Antonio, Texas (Reagan) 16 tackles, including 3 TFL and one sack
Sean Porter* LB Schertz, Texas (Clemens) 41 tackles, including 4 TFL; first career start at CU
Jonathan Stewart* LB Shreveport, La. (Byrd) seen action in every game, 25 tackles, including 1 TFL
Steven Terrell DB Allen, Texas (Allen) seen action in every game
Colton Valencia DB Missouri City, Texas (Hightower) seen action in every game
* started in 2009
NUMBER-CRUNCHING THE UNDERCLASSMAN IMPACT
Freshmen and sophomores are having an enormous impact for the Aggies in 2009...
EARLY RISERS
Category Fr./So. Total Pct.
Rushing 1,672 2,095 79.8
Receiving 2,214 2,957 74.8
Scoring 290 368 78.8
Tackles 496 807 61.4
JOHNSON LOOKS TO BECOME FIRST TO 3,000
Junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson broke Texas A&M's record for single season passing yards last week against Baylor and will seek to become the Aggies' first 3,000-yard passer against the Longhorns. Johnson enters the Texas game 125 yards shy of 3,000 with 2,875 yards. The old record of 2,791 yards was set by Reggie McNeal in 2004.
ALREADY THERE AND ON THE HORIZON
QB Jerrod Johnson already holds several single season school records with several within reach...
ALREADY THERE
Category JJ in '09 Old Record
Completions 241 212 by Kevin Murray, 1987
Attempts 406 364 by Stephen McGee, 2007
Passing Yards 2,875 2,791 by Reggie McNeal, 2004
Passing TDs 24 21 by Jerrod Johnson, 2008
TD Responsibility 32 24 by Jerrod Johnson, 2008
300-Yard Passing 4 3 by Dustin Long, 2002
ON THE HORIZON
Category JJ in '09 Rank Current Record
Total Offense 3,233 2nd 3,509 (Reggie McNeal, 2004)
Total Plays 523 2nd 545 (Stephen McGee, 2007)
JOHNSON'S IMPACT ON CAREER RECORD BOOK
Quarterback Jerrod Johnson owns the record for career touchdown responsibility, and is chasing a host of A&M's career records.
ALREADY THERE
Category JJ Career Old Record
TD Responsibility 61 59 by Reggie McNeal, 2002-05
300-Yard Passing 6 3 by two players
ON THE HORIZON
Category JJ Career Rank Current Record
Completions 437 5th 560 (Corey Pullig, 1992-95)
Attempts 739 7th 991 (Corey Pullig, 1992-95)
Passing Yards 5,360 6th 6,992 (Reggie McNeal, 2002-05)
Passing TDs 47 t2nd 48 (Reggie McNeal, 2002-05)
Completion % .591 2nd .595 (Stephen McGee, 2005-08)
Total Offense 5,943 5th 8,876 (Reggie McNeal, 2002-05)
JOHNSON KEEPS THE CHAINS MOVING
Texas A&M junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson is a record-setting passer, but he consistently relies on his legs to keep drives going. An impressive 48 of his 95 rushes this season have produced a “money play,” which is defined as a play that results in a first down or touchdown. Johnson is especially proficient on third and fourth down rushes with 28 money plays in 36 attempts, including 23 on 29 third down rushes.
MONEY PLAYS FOR JOHNSON
1st TD $$ Rushes
Overall 44 8 48 95
3rd/4th Downs 26 4 28 36
JOHNSON HAS BEEN A DIFFERENCE-MAKER IN 2009
In his second season as a starter, quarterback Jerrod Johnson has developed into a difference-maker in 2009. He ranks among the nation's top quarterbacks in virtually every important statistical category.
JOHNSON IN NCAA, BIG 12 RANKINGS
Category NCAA Big 12 Avg.
Total Offense 10 2 293.9
Passing Yards 15 5 261.4
Points Responsibility 5 1 17.5
Passing TDs 7 1 24 total
Interception Pct. 6 1 1.23
LEADER IN DISRUPTIVE DEFENSE
The NCAA quarterback sack leader Von Miller leads the Big 12 Conference in three of the disruptive defensive categories - sacks, tackles for losses and forced fumbles.
BIG 12 QB SACKS LEADERS
Player, School QBS/Gm
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M 1.41
2. Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech 1.30
3. Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma 1.00
4. Aldan Smith, Missouri 0.91
5. Jared Crich, Nebraska 0.82
BIG 12 FORCED FUMBLES LEADERS
Player, School FF/Gm
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M 0.36
2. Dejon Gomes, Nebraska 0.30
Jeff Wheeler, Kansas 0.30
4. Lucien Antoine, Oklahoma St. 0.27
5. several players 0.25
BIG 12 TACKLES FOR LOSS LEADERS
Player, School TFL/Gm
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M 1.68
2. Aldan Smith, Missouri 1.55
3. Jeremy Beal, Oklahoma 1.45
4. Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech 1.40
5. two players 1.32
JOHNSON MIGHT BE BIG 12'S BEST
Texas A&M junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson ranks in the top five in the Big 12 Conference in virtually every passing and total offense statistical category.
BIG 12 PASS EFFICIENCY LEADERS BIG 12 POINTS RESPONSIBILITY LEADERS
Player, School Player, School
1. Colt McCoy, Texas 152.53 1. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M 17.5
2. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri 143.30 2. Landry Jones, Oklahoma 13.8
3. Zac Robinson, Oklahoma St. 142.55 3. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri 13.6
4. Taylor Potts, Texas Tech 137.97 4. Taylor Potts, Texas Tech 13.5
5. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M 135.89 5. Colt McCoy, Texas 13.1
BIG 12 TOTAL OFFENSE LEADERS BIG 12 PASSING TOUCHDOWNS LEADERS
Player, School Player, School
1. Taylor Potts, Texas Tech 294.0 1. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M 24
2. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M 293.9 2. Colt McCoy, Texas 23
3. Todd Reesing, Kansas 293.6 Landry Jones, Oklahoma 23
4. Colt McCoy, Texas 292.5 4. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri 22
5. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri 284.8 5. two players with 18
BIG 12 INT PERCENTAGE LEADERS BIG 12 PASSING TD PCT. LEADERS
Player, School Player, School
1. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M 1.23 1. Landry Jones, Oklahoma 6.37
2. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri 1.88 2. Zac Robinson, Oklahoma St. 6.02
3. Todd Reesing, Kansas 2.04 3. Jerrod Johnson, Texas A&M 5.91
4. Grant Gregory, Kansas St. 2.29 4. Blaine Gabbert, Missouri 5.90
5. Colt McCoy, Texas 2.30 5. Colt McCoy, Texas 5.87
GRAY, MICHAEL MAKE IMPRESSIVE TWO-HEADED RUSHING ATTACK
Running backs Cyrus Gray and Christine Michael make Texas A&M one of only 13 teams nationally to have two rushers ranked among the top 100 in individual rushing yards. Texas A&M is the only team with two rushers ranked in the top 10 in the Big 12 Conference. The other 12 teams with a pair of Top 100 rushers is Air Force, Auburn, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia Tech, Middle Tennessee State, Navy, Nevada (3), Northern Illinois, Oklahoma and Oregon.
TWO AMONG THE BIG 12's TOP 10 RUSHERS
TEXAS A&M
Christine Michael, Fr. 6th 68.4
Cyrus Gray, So. 7th 67.3
ALL-AMERICA CANDIDATE MILLER KEEPS RACKING UP SACKS
A part-time starter in his first two seasons at A&M, junior Von Miller has emerged as the nation's most feared pass rusher in 2009. Miller, who shifted to a hybrid defensive end/linebacker position last spring, has been atop the NCAA's sack leaders list all season and remains on pace to break Texas A&M's school record of 20 sacks by Jacob Green in 1979. Through 10 games, Miller has compiled 15.5 quarterback sacks for a loss of 106 yards, and stands No. 2 on A&M's illustrious single season sacks list.
Miller could become Texas A&M's first first-team All-America selection since cornerback Jason Webster earned All-America honors in 1999.
ncaa qb sacks leaders
Player, School Sacks Avg
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M 15.5 1.41
2. Brandon Sharpe, Texas Tech 13 1.30
3. Lindsey Witten, UConn 11.5 1.15
4. Derrick Morgan, Georgia Tech 12.5 1.14
Josh McNary, Army 12.5 1.14
TEXAS A&M - SEASON QB SACKS LIST
Player Season Sacks
1. Jacob Green* 1979 20
2. Von Miller 2009 15.5
3. Ray Childress* 1983 15
John Roper* 1987 15
John Roper 1988 15
6. Aaron Wallace 1988 14.5
Keith Mitchell* 1996 14.5
8. Jacob Green 1978 13
William Thomas 1990 13
Marcus Buckley 1991 13
Keith Mitchell 1995 13
12. Marcus Buckley* 1992 12
* first-team AP All-American
CENTURY MARK IS UP NEXT FOR TANNEHILL
Sophomore quarterback/receiver Ryan Tannehill is only 22 games into his career at A&M and he is already within reach of the 100-catch plateau in career catches. With 95 career grabs, he is easily the most prolific sophomore pass catcher in school. The previous high catch total by a sophomore was 72 by all-time receptions leader Terrence Murphy, who caught 36 balls in both his freshman and sophomore season.
... AND FULLER
The only A&M player in the same fast start ballpark as Tannehill is current teammate Jeff Fuller. With 78 catches to his credit, Fuller has also surpassed Murphy's two-year total. Due to injury, Tannehill has played four more games than Fuller, so Fuller's per game catch average is slightly higher than Tannehill's (4.33 to 4.32).
AGGIES ARE EFFICIENT ON THIRD DOWNS
Texas A&M leads the Big 12 and ranks No. 5 nationally with a 50.0 percent success rate in third-down situations. The Aggies have been successful on 85 of 170 third-down tries in 2009.
WIDE RECEIVER VETERANS FIND THE FIRST DOWNS
The Aggies are completing 50 percent of their third-down situations in 2009 and that's in large part to the play of A&M's veteran trio of wide receivers, Howard Morrow. The trio have combined to produce 22 first downs on 25 third-down receptions in 2009.
THIRD-DOWN MONEY
3rd Down Situations 1st TD $$ Catches
Ryan Tannehill 16 3 16 19
Jeff Fuller 7 2 8 8
Howard Morrow 4 1 4 4
TOTAL 27 6 28 31
BIG PLAY NWACHUKWU
Texas A&M true freshman Uzoma Nwachukwu (pronounced WATCH-uh-coo) doesn't rank among the NCAA's top 100 in receptions, and doesn't even lead his team in catches per game. But his big play ability in terms of receiving yards per game is undeniable. Nwachukwu is one of only seven players in the NCAA FBS to average more than 20 yards per catch.
Nwachukwu already has three 100-yard receiving games in 2009, which matched the overall school record of three originally set by Robert Ferguson (2000) and matched by Jamaar Taylor (2002).
ncaa's 20-YARD PLUS/CATCH RECEIVERS
Player, School Yds/Catch
1. Owen Spencer, NC State 24.4
2. Marcus Easley, UConn 20.9
3. Niles Paul, Nebraska 19.7
4. Uzoma Nwachukwu, Texas A&M 19.0
5. Chris Owusu, Stanford 18.7
ncaa's TOP FReSHMAN RECEIVERS
Player, School Yds/Gm
1. Eric Page, Toledo 93.6
2. Tyshon Goode, Kent State 68.2
Alex Torres, Texas Tech 66.2
4. Conner Vernon, Duke 65.3
5. Alshon Jeffery, South Carolina 60.9
6. Uzoma Nwachukwu, Texas A&M 57.1
NWACHUKWU MOVES UP THE FRESHMAN CHARTS
If not for Ryan Tannehill and Jeff Fuller's 2008 freshman campaigns last year, Uzoma Nwachukwu would be within easy reach of the previous freshman school records for catches, yards and touchdowns. After 11 games, Nwachukwu already ranks in the top four in all three categories.
A&M FRESHMAN RECEPTIONS LIST
Player, Year Catches
1. Ryan Tannehill, 2008 55
2. Jeff Fuller, 2008 50
3. Terrence Murphy, 2001 36
4. Uzoma Nwachukwu, 2009 33
A&M FRESHMAN RECEIVING YARDS LIST
Player, Year Yds
1. Ryan Tannehill, 2008 844
2. Jeff Fuller, 2008 630
3. Uzoma Nwachukwu, 2009 628
A&M FRESHMAN RECEIVING TDs LIST
Player, Year TDs
1. Jeff Fuller, 2008 9
2. Uzoma Nwachukwu, 2009 6
3. Ryan Tannehill, 2008 5
100-YARD RECEIVING GAMES
Texas A&M has had seven 100-yard receiving games from four individuals, which is one short of the school record.
100-YARD GAMES in 2009
Player, Class 100+ Season High
Uzoma Nwachukwu, Fr-HS 3 8-141 vs OSU
Ryan Tannehill, So-1L 2 3-101 vs UAB
Jeff Fuller, So-1L 1 10-111 vs UNM
Brandal Jackson, Fr-HS 1 4-118 vs ARK
VETERAN PUGH STANDS TALL IN SECONDARY
Senior Jordan Pugh is the anomaly on Aggies' youthful defense with a team-best 35 career starts and action in 48 career games. Since missing the Oklahoma State game with a concussion, Pugh has produced 42 tackles (8.4 average), a fumble recovery, two interceptions and two broken up passes.
PUGH STEPS UP FOR AGGIE “D” (LAST 6 GAMES)
Opponent Solo/Asst Total FR INT PBU
Oklahoma State - did not play (injured) -
at Kansas State 7/3 10 0 0 0
at Texas Tech 5/0 5 1 0 1
Iowa State 5/7 12 0 1/16 0
at Colorado 6/2 8 0 1/9 1
at Oklahoma 3/4 7 0 0 0
Baylor 9/5 14 0 1/39 0
Total 35/21 56 1 2/64 2
AVERAGING OVER 80 OFFENSIVE PLAYS PER GAME
Texas A&M is one of only two teams in the NCAA FBS to average over 80 offensive plays per game. Former A&M offensive coordinator Kevin Sumlin's Houston Cougar leads the nations with an average of 83.4 plays per game and the Aggies are right behind with 80.7 plays per game.
2009 NCAA LEADERS - PLAYS PER GAME
Team Plays
1. Houston 83.4
2. Texas A&M 80.7
3. Oklahoma 75.5
4. Texas 75.4
5. Middle Tennessee State 75.2
TEXAS A&M - PLAYS PER GAME
Year Plays Record
1. 1986 81.4 9-3
2. 2009 80.7 6-5
3. 1985 77.9 10-2
1978 77.9 8-4
5. 1991 76.4 10-2
OFFENSIVE TURNAROUND
The 2009 Aggies have seen a marked improvement in their offensive production, ranking among the BIg 12 and NCAA leaders in the major categories...
2009 OFFENSE (AFTER 11 GAMES) 2008 OFFENSE (FINAL)
Category NCAA Big 12 Avg. Category NCAA Big 12 Avg.
Total Offense 7 2 459.3 Total Offense 78 12 340.9
Rushing Offense 25 2 190.5 Rushing Offense 114 8 88.5
Passing Offense 24 6 268.8 Passing Offense 27 11 252.4
Scoring Offense 17 3 33.5 Scoring Offense 64 11 25.0
GRAY EARNS BIG 12 WEEKLY HONORS
Sophomore tailback Cyrus Gray was named the Big 12's Special Teams Player of the Week by a select media panel on November 9.
Gray totaled 181 yards on four kick returns in A&M's game at Colorado, including a career-best 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in the second quarter. He also added a 45-yard kick return in the fourth quarter to set up the Aggies' final score.
The honor is the second of Gray's career, who also earned special teams POW honors last season after his performance against Oklahoma. It is also the first Big 12 weekly football honor of any kind for A&M in '09.
JOHNSON'S PICKOFF-FREE STREAK ENDS IN BIG 12 RECORD FASHION
Junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson threw his first interception of the season against Kansas State (Oct 17), but not before breaking the Big 12's single season record for consecutive pass attempts without a pickoff. Johnson threw 225 straight passes without a pickoff to open 2009 before KSU's Tysyn Hartman stepped in front of his pass attempt in the second quarter. He broke the old single season mark of 213 set by Kansas' Todd Reesing in 2007. He had increased his overall Big 12 record streak to 242 attempts, which dated back to last year's Baylor game.
TURNING OVER THE ROSTER
If there are times that the 2009 Aggies look like a totally different team than last year's 4-8 edition, it's because they virtually are. Second-year head coach Mike Sherman has played a total of 79 players in 2009, including 39 or 49 percent that have made their maroon and white playing debuts this season. Thirteen of the 39 newbies have made at least one start. Leading the way is Sherman's stellar 2009 signing class, which has seen 19 of its members earn playing time. Here's a closer look at where all the new blood came from:
2009 SIGNING CLASS (19)
Don Bishop, TE Nick Trice, WR
Craig Raschke, OL
REDSHIRT FRESHMEN (6)
Rod Davis, DL Adren Dorsey, DL Cole Graybill, FB
# at least one start in 2009 * JUCO transfer (injured/out for year)
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
A look at some of the Aggies' impact players showcases head coach Mike Sherman's ability to shift players to different positions to maximize their talents:
change for the better
Von Miller LB to 'jack' leads FBS with 15.5 sacks
Jamie McCoy WR to TE 28 catches for 308 yards
Kyle Mangan FB to LB fourth on team with 57 stops, leads with 7 PBUs
Garrick Williams DB to LB third on team with 67 tackles
IT'S PRONOUNCED “CHRIS-TIN”
Christine 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]
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.
“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 11 games in '09, Bullock has converted 11 of 16 field goal attempts, with one of the misses being a fourth-quarter block by Utah State. His 50-yard boot against Oklahoma State was a career best and was the longest by an Aggie since 2000. In addition, Bullock has converted all 45 extra points in '09 and has made 65 in a row entering Thursday's game.
TURNOVERS TELL STORY
Since 2005, the Aggies have compiled a 23-5 record in games with a plus turnover margin. In games with an even or minus turnover margin, the Aggies are 7-23. (see chart on page 3)
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: Jerrod Johnson (will complete all course work, has an internship to finish degree plan in spring), Jordan Pugh, Matt Rankin and DeMaurier Thompson.
MOST GRADUATES, 2009 ROSTERS
Alabama 12
Boston College 10
Virginia Tech 10
Miami (Fla.) 9
Penn State 9
Auburn 8
East Carolina 8
Notre Dame 8
Texas Tech 8
UNLV 8
Texas A&M 7
Central Florida 7
IMPRESSIVE ASSISTANTS
• Mike Sherman's coaching staff at Texas A&M is an impressive blend of veteran NFL and college assistant coaches. Tapping into his deep NFL ties, Sherman plucked 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, Van Malone is in his fourth season coaching the safeties.
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/three teams, including six as head coach of the Green Bay Packers) and quarterback coach Tom Rossley (11 years/four teams).
AGGIE COACHES WITH NFL EXPERIENCE
Mike Sherman 11 years as coach, six as head coach
Joe Kines 4 years as coach
Nolan Cromwell 17 years as coach, 11 as a player
Tom Rossley 11 years as coach
Kirk Doll 3 years as coach
Randy Jordan 1 year as coach, 5 years as a player
Van Malone 4 years as a player