COLLEGE STATION, Texas --- The Texas A&M football team scrimmaged for about two hours on Monday as the Aggies continued preparations for the season-opener against SMU on Sunday, Sept. 4 at Kyle Field.
The veteran Aggie offense struggled early with several dropped passes, but a big play by sophomore receiver Nate Askew sparked the offense to get back on track, head coach Mike Sherman said. The Aggies return 10 of 11 starters from a year ago, losing only 2010 starter Matt Allen at center.
“(Nate Askew) made the first play offensively to get the ball rolling,” Sherman said. “We were struggling. We had three drops in the first three possessions. He made a big play down the field. Ryan (Tannehill) made a great throw, he caught it and got the ball rolling. He's really stepped up and made a lot of progress. He's light years ahead of where he was a year ago.
The Aggies' defense has a few more holes to fill with the departures of All-American Von Miller, leading tackler Michael Hodges and defensive line leading tackler Lucas Patterson, but Sherman said this year's unit is further along in the second season with Tim DeRuyter as defensive coordinator.
“I think we're definitely further along,” Sherman said. “We've added some nuances that we didn't have last year as well. But we're replacing some pretty spectacular players, so we're still working through those issues, trying to find the right fit. From a scheme standpoint, they are further ahead and the kids understand things a lot better.”
The assembled media corps wanted to know what Sherman told his team to keep them from allowing the conference realignment chatter from becoming a distraction.
“If you don't talk about it, it's not a distraction,” Sherman said. “We're so focused on what we've got to do this season. We're in the Big 12, we've got a bunch of tough opponents starting with SMU. We're looking forward to that. We deal with the present. We don't worry about things we don't control. We don't spend a lot of time talking about 'what-ifs.'”
The Aggies return to practice field on Tuesday with a pair of workouts. The morning practice will be outside at the Coolidge Grass Practice Fields, while the afternoon workout will be closed to the public since it will be inside the McFerrin Indoor Facility.
PRACTICE GUIDELINES
· PRACTICES TIMES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
· Practices inside the McFerrin Indoor facility are closed to the public due to fire codes.
· Practices are open to players' families, lettermen, current students, former students, faculty and staff with TAMU ID and 12th Man Foundation members.
· No cameras, cell phones or note pads allowed.
PRACTICE SCHEDULE
TUESDAY, Aug. 16
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #9
4 – 5:15 pm - *Practice #10 (McFerrin Indoor Facility)
*closed to the public due to fire codes
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 17
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #11
THURSDAY, Aug. 18
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #12
4 – 5:15 pm - Practice #13 (McFerrin Indoor Facility)
FRIDAY, Aug. 19
7:30 – 9:45 am - Practice #14
SATURDAY, Aug. 20
6:35 – 8:30 pm - Practice #15 (Kyle Field)
SUNDAY, Aug. 21
Possible day off from practices.
MONDAY, Aug. 22
7:30 – 9:45 am - Practice #16
TUESDAY, Aug. 23
7:30 – 9:45 am - Practice #17
4 – 5:15 pm - Practice #18 (McFerrin Indoor Facility)
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 24
4:05 pm - Practice #19—NO MEDIA ALLOWED
“Countdown to Kickoff Dinner”
THURSDAY, Aug. 25
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #20
FRIDAY, Aug. 26
8:25 – 10:45 am - Practice #21