GAME 4: Texas A&M (3-0) vs Arkansas (1-2)
Sep 28, 2009 | Football
Sept. 28, 2009
COMPLETE GAME NOTES (PDF): Click Here
COLLEGE STATION, Texas--Texas A&M hits the road for the first time this season this weekend when the Aggies travel to Arlington and the sparkling new Cowboys Stadium (100,000) for the inaugural Southwest Classic game against long-time rival Arkansas ... Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally by ESPN2, with Mark Jones and Bob Davie on the call ... A&M is 3-0 on the young season and enters the game with the nation's top offense following a 56-19 victory over UAB last Saturday at Kyle Field ... Arkansas is 1-2 and looks to rebound after a 35-7 loss last week at No. 3 Alabama ... The Razorbacks are the designated home team in Saturday's game.
GAME 4: SOUTHWEST CLASSIC
TEXAS A&M AGGIES (3-0, 0-0 Big 12) vs ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS (1-2, 0-2 SEC)
TELEVISION: ESPN2HD (National)
Mark Jones, play-by-play
Bob Davie, commentary
RADIO: Texas A&M Sports Network (see page 7)
Dave South, play-by-play
Dave Elmendorf, commentary
SATELLITE RADIO: Sirius Channel 122
LIVE AUDIO: aggieathletics.com • radioaggieland.com
GAMETRACKER: aggieathletics.com
RANKINGS: A&M is receiving votes in the USA Today Coaches' Poll
SERIES HISTORY: Arkansas leads, 38-24-3
A&M STREAK: Won 2
LAST MEETING: A&M 13, Arkansas 3 (Nov. 16, 1991 in College Station)
FOLLOWING THE ACTION
• RADIO - The 50-station Texas A&M Sports Network will broadcast the game live from Cowboys Stadium ... Dave South (play-by-play) and Dave Elmendorf (commentary) will call the action ... pregame show begins at 5:30 p.m. ... Sirius Satellite Radio will air the Aggie broadcast on Channel 122 ... fans inside Cowboys Stadium can tune in on 105.3 The Fan.
• INTERNET - aggieathletics.com will provide live play-by-play through GameTracker ... fans can listen to the broadcast free of charge 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/ARKANSAS SERIES NOTABLES
Arkansas leads the all-time series with Texas A&M, 38-24-3 ... the last meeting between the long-time SWC rivals was held on Nov. 16, 1991 at Kyle Field, a 13-3 Aggie victory ... A&M has won the last two meetings and is 5-5 in the last 10 ... six of the last seven meetings have been decided by 10 points or less ... the teams have met once before in the Metroplex, back in 1914 (a 27-0 Aggie victory in Dallas) ... A&M's longest win streak in the series is six games (1938-43), while Arkansas' is nine (1958-66) ... both institutions were charter members of the Southwest Conference upon its founding in 1914 ... the teams met on the gridiron every season from 1934 to 1991.
UP NEXT
Texas A&M opens Big 12 play when the Aggies host the nationally-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys at Kyle Field ... Arkansas also returns home with an SEC showdown against Auburn in Fayetteville.
RIVALRY RENEWED
The Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks renew their longtime rivalry in the Southwest Classic this weekend at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The former Southwest Conference 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.
INJURY UPDATE
Ricky Cavanaugh - sprained knee (questionable) ... Lee Grimes - bruised ribs (questionable) ... Christine Michael - strained calf (probable).
SALUTING #24
Texas A&M teammates Von Miller, both former DeSoto (Texas) High School Eagles, will change their jersey numbers to #24 for Saturday's game with Arkansas. Gray and Miller's jersey shift is meant to honor current DeSoto HS football player Corey Borner, who was paralyzed May 6, 2009 in an accident during spring football drills. Borner is a junior in 2009 and wore No. 24 in the spring. Gray (was #32, moved to #24 on offense) and Miller (was #40, moved to #24 on defense) are two of four prominent DHS products on the Aggie roster, along with Tony Jerod-Eddie and Garrick Williams.
AGGIE "O" CONTINUES EARLY ROLL
Texas A&M remained atop the NCAA statistical ranking in total offense for the second straight week with an average of 574.3 yards per game, and the Aggies rank in the top seven in all four major statistical categories. The Aggies' per game average actually decreased after gaining 544 yards last week against UAB.
Texas A&M is the only team in the country ranked in the top 10 in all four major statistical categories.
MOVING THE CHAINS
Category NCAA Big 12 Avg.
Total Offense 1 1 *574.3
Rushing Offense 7 1 244.0
Passing Offense 6 2 *330.3
Scoring Offense 4 2 *45.0
* school-record pace
EARLY OFFENSIVE ROLL IS FASTEST START
The Aggie "O" continued to roll against UAB with 544 total yards, which was A&M's third-straight 500-yard-plus output of the season. The Aggies have now gained 1,723 yards, which far exceeds the previous best three-game offensive start of 1,644 yards by the 1990 squad.
fastest offensive starts (after 3 games)
Year Total Yards Avg. Opponents
2009 1,723 574.0 New Mexico, Utah State, UAB
1990 1,644 548.0 at Hawaii, La.-Lafayette, North Texas
2005 1,631 543.7 at Clemson, SMU, Texas State
1996 1,512 504.0 at BYU, at La.-Lafayette, North Texas
2004 1,420 473.3 at Utah, Wyoming, Clemson
MORE 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 is the only teams in the NCAA FBS to rank in the top 10 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.
2009 OFFENSE (AFTER THREE GAMES) 2008 OFFENSE (FINAL)
Category NCAA Big 12 Avg. Category NCAA Big 12 Avg.
Total Offense 1 1 574.3 Total Offense 78 12 340.9
Rushing Offense 7 1 244.0 Rushing Offense 114 8 88.5
Passing Offense 6 2 330.3 Passing Offense 27 11 252.4
Scoring Offense 4 1 45.0 Scoring Offense 64 11 25.0
RETURN TO WRECKING CREW?
The Aggies are the NCAA leaders in quarterback sacks per game just a season after posting just 16 sacks for the entire 2008 season and ranking No. 100 in the NCAA statistics. Led by NCAA individual leader Von Miller, the Aggies have sacked the opposing quarterback 14 times in three games or an NCAA-best 4.67 per game. Miller has contributed eight sacks, and defensive mates LB Tony Jerod-Eddie, DL Eddie Brown, "jack" Matt Featherston and DE Matt Moss have combined for six more.
DIFFERENT SEASON, DIFFERENT RESULTS
2009 NCAA Big 12 Avg. 2008 NCAA Big 12 Avg.
Quarterback Sacks 1 1 4.7 Quarterback Sacks 100 11 1.3
Tackles for Loss 7 2 8.3 Tackles for Loss 97 11 4.8
PUNTING HAS BEEN A STRENGTH
After the season-opener head coach Mike Sherman termed the Aggies' punt game "serviceable, but not a winning effort necessarily." Now three games into the season, the Aggies rank No. 7 nationally in net punting with a 42.0 average. First-year punter Ken Wood, a sophomore transfer from Montana, is averaging a healthy 44.0 yards on 11 punts and has left four boots inside the opponent 20-yard line. Only three of Woods' punts have been been returned for a total of two yards.
TEXAS A&M-ARKANSAS CONNECTIONS
Popular Aggie assistant head coach and defensive coordinator Joe Kines coached at Arkansas from 1991-94, and served as the Hogs' head coach in 1992 ... Aggie senior assistant and quarterbacks coach Tom Rossley was a graduate assistant at Arkansas in 1972 ... Arkansas director of football operations Mark Robinson was a football operations assistant at Texas A&M before joining coach Bobby Petrino's staff.
PENALTIES REMAIN A CONCERN FOR AGGIES
Despite being penalized only three times for 25 yards against UAB, the Aggies remain the most penalized team in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision with an average of 11.0 penalties for 98.3 yards per game.
PER-GAME PENALTIES
1 New Mexico 14-123
2 Utah State 16-147
3 UAB 3-25
JOHNSON HAS BEEN A DIFFERENCE-MAKER IN 2009
In his second season as a starter, quarterback Jerrod Johnson has been nothing short of brilliant in the first three games of 2009. The Big 12's top rushing quarterback (65.3 yard per game) also averages over 300 passing yards (320.3) and nearly 400 yards of total offense (385.7) per game. Johnson leads the nation in points responsible for with an average of 26.0 points per game (9 passing TDs, 4 rushing TDs). Johnson hasn't thrown an interception in 2009 (111 attempts) and hasn't tossed a pickoff since the Baylor game last year (128 passes). Johnson and Reggie McNeal share the school record with streaks of 213 pass attempts without an interception.
JOHNSON IN NCAA, BIG 12 RANKINGS
Category NCAA Big 12 Avg.
Total Offense 3 1 385.7
Passing Yards 6 2 320.3
Pass Efficiency 11 2 167.05 rtg
Rushing 81 (6) 11 (1) 65.3
Points Responsibility 1 1 26.0
( ) rank among QBs
BALL SECURITY IS JOB SECURITY
The Aggies have done a good job of taking care of the football with just a single turnover (lost fumble vs. UAB) after three games in 2009, which is tied for fewest in the nation (with Arizona State). Texas A&M is one of seven teams in the NCAA FBS that has not thrown an interception in 2009 (115 attempts).
MILLER LEADS THE NATION
His move to 'jack' clearly a success, junior Von Miller has an eye-catching eight quarterback sacks after three games and leads the nation with a 2.67 per game average.
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 lead the NCAA in sacks per game (4.67 per game) and are on pace for a 56-sack season.
ncaa qb sacks leaders
Player, School Sacks/Gm
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M 2.67
2. Lindsey Witten, UConn 1.75
3. Nick Perry, USC 1.50
Eric Norwood, South Carolina 1.50
Jerry Hughes, TCU 1.50
ncaa tackles for loss leaders
Player, School TFL/Gm
1. Von Miller, Texas A&M 2.67
2. Mick Williams, Pitt 2.50
Sean Lee, Penn State 2.50
Gerald McCoy, Oklahoma 2.17
Dontay Moch, Nevada 2.17
TE McCOY IS BIG 12'S BEST
His move to tight end is less than two years old, but senior Jamie McCoy has emerged as the Big 12's top tight end. McCoy signed with A&M as a dual-threat quarterback and struggled to find a position as a freshman and sophomore. After catching 43 passes for 500 yards as a first-year tight end in 2008, McCoy is averaging 4.3 catches and 56.3 yards per game this season which puts him among the top five tight ends in the country.
ncaa's top pass catching tight ends
Player, School Catches Yards
1. Jason Harmon, Florida Atlantic 5.33 65.7
2. Dennis Ditta, BYU 5.25 64.0
3. Drake Dunsmore, Northwestern 4.50 49.8
4. Jamie McCoy, Texas A&M 4.33 56.3
5. Riar Geer, Colorado 4.33 39.7
CHANGE FOR THE BETTER
The Aggies' win over UAB showcased 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' Posted 2 sacks vs. UAB, leads nation in QBS
Jamie McCoy WR to TE 5 catches vs. UAB, at least 5 in 12 straight games
Kyle Mangan FB to LB 4 tackles and 2 PBUs vs UAB
Garrick Williams DB to LB 3 tackles vs UAB, No. 3 on team in total stops
WATCH OUT FOR NWACHUKWU
True freshman Uzoma "EZ" Nwachukwu 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. In the 38-30 win over Utah State on Sept. 19, 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.
SCHOOL OF FISH
The Aggies have used an eye-catching 16 true freshmen in their first three games of 2009, tying a school record. Only one other time since freshmen became eligible in 1972 has Texas A&M used 16 true freshmen in an entire season, when head coach Tom Wilson's 1980 Aggie squad lettered that many 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
Stephen Barrera* OL Clear Lake, Texas (Clear Lake) started at left tackle vs UAB
Brandal Jackson* WR Navasota, Texas (Navasota) started at WR vs UAB
Patrick Lewis OL LaPlace, La. (East St. John) One of first OL off bench
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) scored first career TD on 6-yd catch vs UAB
Uzoma Nwachukwu* WR Allen, Texas (Allen) 4 TDs on 4 touches against USU, team leader in rec. TDs
Defense
Colton Valencia DB Missouri City, Texas (Hightower) contributed 2 tackles in three games
* started in 2009
NEW FACES IN OLD PLACES
Of the 69 players that have seen action this season, an amazing 32 (46.4 percent) were making their career debuts in the maroon and white. Seeing action for the first time were 16 true freshmen, seven redshirt freshmen, four transfers and five squadsmen.
NEWCOMER BREAKDOWN
True Freshmen 16 see above
Redshirt Freshmen 7 Blaine Cheatham (DB), Adren Dorsey (DL),
Matt Allen (OL/LSU), Cole Graybill (FB/Arizona),
Don Bishop (TE), Michael Hodges (LB), 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 has lived up to the billing. The senior has hauled in nine balls for 96 yards on the young season.
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 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.
TOP FRESHMAN RUSHING DEBUTS
Rk. Player Yards Date
1. *Greg Hill +212 LSU, 9/14/91
2. #George Woodard 106 at LSU, 9/20/75
3. #Bucky Richardson 102 vs. Southern Miss, 9/26/87
4. #Christine Michael 93 New Mexico, 9/5/09
5. #Rodney Thomas 81 LSU, 9/14/91
* redshirt freshman# true freshman
+ NCAA record for freshman debut game
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. He sat out the 56-19 win over UAB with a calf strain.
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]
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 11 catches for a team-high 201 yards and two touchdowns through the first three games of 2009. He saw his first action under center late in the win over UAB, completing one pass for eight yards.
PRO DADS
The 2009 Texas A&M football roster is dotted several players whose father were accomplished professionals in the NFL or NBA. (see chart on page 3)
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]
"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 three 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 18 extra points and has made 37 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 7-19. (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: Lee Grimes, Jerrod Johnson (will complete all course work, has an internship to finish degree plan in spring), Jamie McCoy, Ryan O'Bryant, 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
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.
notable non-scholarship players*
Derek Dumas, LB 12th Man has seen action at LB
Marcus Gold, DB Solid special team performer
Justin McQueen, DB* Has started at nickel and 12th Man
Anthony Vela, FB* Started at FB vs. Arkansas State
* entering 2009 season earned start 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).
AGGIE COACHES WITH NFL EXPERIENCE
Joe Kines 4 years as coach
Nolan Cromwell 17 years as coach, 11 as a player
Kirk Doll 3 years as coach
Van Malone 4 years as a player
IMPRESSIVE ASSISTANTS
• Joe Kines from Alabama, Nolan Cromwell was a four-time Pro Bowl safety and the NFC Defensive Player of the Year in 1980. Nolan Cromwell with the Green Bay Packers and Seattle Seahawks, Kirk Doll at Texas A&M.
• As head coach at SMU from 1991-96, Kirk Doll was the Aggies' linebackers coach from 1988-93 under Jackie Sherrill and R.C. Slocum. 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.
AGGIES IN THE NCAA RANKINGS
A look at Texas A&M in the national statistical rankings, through week three:
TEAM rankings
CATEGORY ACTUAL NATL RK BIG 12 RK NATL LEADER
Total Offense 574.3 1st 1st -
Sacks 4.7 1st 1st -
Scoring Offense 45.0 4th 1st Texas (49.5)
Passing Offense 330.3 6th 2nd Hawai'i (423.3)
Rushing Offense 244.0 7th 1st Air Force (319.0)
Net Punting 42.0 7th 4th BYU (43.7)
Tackles for Loss 8.3 7th 2nd Oklahoma (11.3)
Passing Efficiency 166.0 9th 2nd Hawai'i (180.7)
Turnover Margin 1.0 T-18th T-1st Arizona State (3.3)
Pass Efficiency Defense 103.8 32nd 6th Florida (75.3)
Scoring Defense 18.3 34th 7th Oklahoma (4.7)
player rankings
CATEGORY ACTUAL NATL RK BIG 12 RK NATL LEADER
Points Responsibility Von Miller 2.7 1st 1st -
Tackles for Loss Von Miller 2.7 1st 1st -
Total Offense Jerrod Johnson 385.7 3rd 1st Alexander, Hawai'i (446.0)
Passing Efficiency Jerrod Johnson 167.1 11th 2nd Alexander, Hawai'i (178.8)
Punting Ken Wood 44.0 14th 2nd Butler, Georgia (50.1)
Punt Returns Dustin Harris 12.7 26th 3rd Spiller, Clemson (36.4)
