Missouri (3-4, 1-3 vs. Big 12) at Texas A&M (5-2, 3-1 vs. Big 12)
KICKOFF/DATE: 11 a.m. (CT), Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011
SITE: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas (CAP. 83,002)
TELEVISION
FX (National)
Gus Johnson, play-by-play
Charles Davis, commentary
Tim Brewster, sidelines
RADIO
Texas A&M Sports Network
Dave South, play-by-play
Dave Elmendorf, commentary
Tom Turbiville, sidelines
(Available on Sirius 117/XM 197)
Compass Media Networks (national)
Gregg Daniels, play-by-play
Curtis Conway, commentary
RANKINGS
Texas A&M (No. 16 - AP Top 25/No. 16 - USA Today Poll)
Missouri (Not ranked)
SERIES HISTORY
Texas A&M leads, 7-4 (lost 2)
LAST MEETING: Oct. 16, 2010: Missouri 30, Texas A&M 9 in College Station, Texas
Streaking Aggies look for fourth straight win
Texas A&M will try to notch its fourth straight win when the Aggies host Missouri in an 11 a.m. contest at Kyle Field on Saturday. After starting the season 2-2, the Aggies have reeled off three straight wins, all against Big 12 opponents. The Aggies go into Saturday's game with Missouri coming off victories over now-No. 19 Texas, then-No. 20 Baylor and Iowa State.
The Aggies lead the overall series with the Tigers with a 7-4 advantage, but Missouri has had the upperhand in recent seasons with four wins in the last five contests. A&M won the first seven meetings between the two schools, which included five pre-Big 12 meetings. The Aggies hold a 5-2 advantage over the Tigers in games at Kyle Field. The Tigers have won the last two meetings with a 40-26 win in Columbia in 2007 and 30-9 victory at Kyle Field last year.
Most successful run vs. Big 12 opponents for A&M
Texas A&M is in the midst of its most successful run against conference foes since the formation of the Big 12. Since dropping to 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the conference after last year's 30-9 loss to Missouri at Kyle Field, the Aggies have compiled an 11-3 overall record, including a 9-1 record against Big 12 opponents.
The nine wins in 10 games against the Big 12 marks A&M's winningest 10-game conference stretch since the league's formation in 1996. The previous best 10-game Big 12 span for the Aggies was 8-2 with all eight wins coming from A&M's Big 12 Championship season in 1998.
Milestones watch …
• A win over Missouri would give A&M 10 victories in its last 11 contests against Big 12 opponents.
• A win over Missouri would make A&M bowl-eligible for third-straight season under Mike Sherman.
• QB Ryan Tannehill is just 11 yards from the 4,000-yard plateau in career total offense and 289 yards from 4,000 in career passing yards (in 13 games as a starter at QB).
• PK Randy Bullock is one FG from becoming fourth Aggie placekicker with 50 career three-pointers.
• CB Terrence Frederick is one pass broken up from matching Wrecking Crew founder Chet Brooks and Donovan Greer at No. 9 on career PBUs list (26).
• RB Cyrus Gray is just 68 all-purpose yards away from the 6,000-yard plateau, which has only been achieved by three Big 12 players: Darren Sproles (Kansas State), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma) and Cedric Benson (Texas).
• Gray needs 101 rushing yards to become A&M's fifth 3,000-yard rusher.
• WR Jeff Fuller needs two TDs (12 points) to become A&M's first non-RB or PK to hit 200 career points.
• A&M's next fumble recovery will be their first since the 2010 Texas game, a span of eight games, 33 quarters and 719 opponent chances. (A&M was credited with a fumble recovery when OSU WR Justin Blackmon inexplicably dropped the ball and it rolled through the endzone. Defense did not cause it, or recover it.). Texas A&M is the only team in NCAA FBS without a recovered fumble.
1,000 yards for C-MIKE, C-GRAY?
Texas A&M running backs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray are on pace to become the 53rd set of teammates to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in NCAA FBS history. The feat has never been done by a pair of Aggie runners. It was done most recently by a Big 12 tandem when Oklahoma's Chris Brown (1,220) and DeMarco Murray (1,002) did it in 2008.
C-MIKE, C-GRAY only RB tandem in Top 50
Aggie running backs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray are the only running back tandem in NCAA FBS to both be ranked in the top 50 nationally in rushing (Three other teams have a quarterback and running back ranked in the top 50). Michael is ranked No. 26 with 101.0 rushing yards per game, while Gray is No. 38 with 92.3 per game.
THREE OF A KIND
Texas A&M is one of just three teams (others are Baylor and Stanford) in the NCAA FBS with an offense that rank in the top 25 in rushing, passing, total and scoring offense.
Top 25 in NCAA Statistics
Rushing Offense No. 14 230.43
Passing Offense No. 20 292.14
Total Offense No. 522.57
Scoring Offense No. 13 40.43
First half two-minute drill
The Aggies have scored in the final two minutes of the second quarter in all seven games in 2011. In the last five games, all five scoring drives have been eight or more plays and over 62 yards in length.
Last Drive of 2nd Quarter Success
SMU: TD, 6 plays-52 yards, 2:16 TOP (1:05)
Idaho: TD, 6 plays-56 yards, 1:43 TOP (0:24)
Oklahoma State: FG, 15 plays-62 yards, 6:08 TOP (1:51)
Arkansas: TD, 11 plays-82 yards, 2:56 TOP (0:09)
Texas Tech: TD, 11 plays-63 yards, 3:28 TOP (0:24)
Baylor: TD, 11 plays-80 yards, 3:45 TOP (0:33)
Iowa State: TD, 8 plays-79 yards, 1:47 TOP (0:42)
HERE'S THE BEEF!!
All five of Texas A&M's offensive line starters are over 300 pounds, and the average weight of the Aggies' starting five on the offensive line is 310.6 pounds, making them the heaviest group in school history.
Big and Young
LT Luke Joeckel, So-1L, 310
LG Jarvis Harrison, Fr-RS, 317
C Patrick Lewis, Jr-2L, 306
RG Brian Thomas, Jr-1L, 315
RT Jake Matthews, So-1L, 305
Did you know?
Texas A&M is one of just seven teams without a senior starter on the offensive line. The others are Arizona, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Tennessee, UNLV and USC.
Protecting the passer
The Texas A&M offensive front is one of the best in the nation at protecting the quarterback. The Aggie O-line has allowed just six sacks while proving protection on 258 pass attempts. A&M's average of 0.86 QB sacks ranked No. 11 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma.
Did you know?
The Aggie offensive line has been flagged for holding just twice in 2011, and haven't been called for holding since the Idaho game.
Aggies in the Rankings
Texas A&M is in both the Associated Press media poll and the USA Today head coaches poll for the 14th straight week dating back to Nov. 7, 2010.
Boosted by a 33-17 road demolition of Iowa State, the Aggies jumped one spot to No. 16 in the AP Top 25 and two spots to No. 16 in the USA Today poll.
In the second BCS poll of 2011, the Aggies moved up a spot to No. 16. It is the Aggies' highest rank in the BCS since being No. 16 in the Oct. 16, 2004 standings.
LAST TIME OUT: Michael, Gray Lead the Way vs. Cyclones
RBs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray both went over 100 rushing yards for the third time in their careers as the Aggies handed Iowa State a 33-17 on homecoming in Ames, Iowa.
• It was the Aggies' third straight victory and A&M's fifth straight win in true road games.
• A&M upped its all-time record against Iowa State to 10-1.
• Randy Bullock connected on a career-high four FGs, and has now connected on 10 straight FGA.
• Gray and Michael combined for 267 yards on 39 carries to pace the Aggies' 247-yard rushing attack.
• Offense gained 510 total yards on a season-high 90 plays.
• A week after attempting no punts against Baylor, A&M punter Ryan Epperson showed no signs of rust against the Cyclones with five boots for an average of 46.6 yards, including one coffin-corner effort.
• Aggies had a season-high nine pass breakups against the Cyclones.
Aggies' sack attack nears 2010 total
Just seven games into 2011, the Aggies' sack attack has already rolled up 28 quarterback sacks which is just two shy of 2010's Von Miller-led total of 30 QBS. Last year, 11 players combined to total the 30 sacks, led by Miller's Big 12-leading 10.5. In 2011, 14 players have combined for 28 sacks, led by junior Sean Porter's Big 12-best 7.5.
After seven games in 2010, the Aggies had produced just 13 sacks.
Wrecking Crew leads NCAA, Big 12 in Sacks
Averaging 4.00 quarterback sacks per game, the Aggies lead the Big 12 and the NCAA Football Subdivision in that category.
NCAA Team Sacks Leaders
1 Texas A&M 4.00
2 Oklahoma 3.86
3 Hawaii 3.71
4 Stanford 3.57
Florida State 3.57
Big 12 Team Sacks Leaders
1 Texas A&M 4.00
2 Oklahoma 3.86
3 Oklahoma State 2.86
4 Kansas State 2.14
Missouri 2.14
Porter steps up for Wrecking crew
On a team seeking to replace the big-play capabilities of departed All-American Von Miller, junior Sean Porter has been impressive from the outside linebacker spot opposite of Miller's old “Joker” position. After seven games, Porter leads the team in total tackes, solo tackles, QB sacks and total tackles for losses. Porter is tied for the Big 12 lead in sacks with Oklahoma's Frank Alexander at 7.5 QBS.
Being asked to get to the quarterback is new for Porter, who entered 2011 with just 1.5 QB sacks in his previous two seasons (15 starts in 26 games).
Aggies achieving balance on offense
Over the last five games against Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Baylor and Iowa State, the Aggies are averaging 251.6 rushing yards/43.8 rushes and 284.4 passing yards/37.8 pass attempts.
Bullock shows off power boost
Senior placekicker Randy Bullock's hard work last summer has resulted in more distance on his kickoffs. Currently the most accurate kicker in school history with a career success rate of 77.8 percent on field goal attempts, Bullock had registered only 27 touchbacks in 192 career kickoffs (14.1 percent). In 2011, Bullock already has 19 touchbacks on 56 kickoffs (33.9 percent), and is averaging 66.0 yards per kickoff (nearly four-yard improvement from 2010). During fall camp, Bullock referenced the key to his improvement: “The biggest thing is I'm not having to play catch-up,” Bullock said. “Last year I had been sick all summer. This year I came in healthy after working all summer and I'm ready to go.”
Bullock looking for Big 5-0
Randy Bullock's next field goal will be the 50th of his career, which will make him just the fourth Aggie placekicker with 50 or more three-pointers. Bullock is the Big 12 leader in field goals per game, and his success percentage on 15-of-16 is through the roof at 93.8 percent in 2011. His season and career FG percent is on pace to break both records.
DeSoto Pipeline
Three of the Aggies' most experienced and productive players are former DeSoto Eagles -- true senior running back Cyrus Gray, true senior defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie and fifth-year senior inside linebacker Garrick Williams.
Making an Impact ... 2011
Cyrus Gray (DeSoto Class of '08) Nearing 6,000 all-purpose yards, 3000 rushing yards
Tony Jerod-Eddie (DeSoto Class of '08) DL's top tackler with 24 stops, 4 sacks
Garrick Williams (DeSoto Class of '07) No. 4 tackler with 34 tackles
Coming and Going
The Aggies will be one of the most experienced teams in the nation in 2011 with 18 of 22 position starters returning, including 10 of 11 from the offense. A&M also returns a whopping 60 lettermen, which is EASILY the most in school history. The previous high for returning lettermen was 50 on the 1988 and the 2010 squads.
Six graduates on Aggies' 2011 roster
Texas A&M has six graduates on the fall 2011 roster.
Danny Baker August 2011 University Studies (Mays Business School)
Ben Bass May 2011 Ag Leadership and Development
Matt Sherman August 2011 University Studies (Agriculture and Life Sciences)
Lionel Smith August 2011 Ag Leadership and Development
Ryan Tannehill May 2011 Biology
Garrick Williams August 2011 University Studies (Agriculture and Life Sciences)
SIDENOTE: Mike Sherman gave a rousing speech to the 2011 summer graduates at the commencement convocation ceremony. The complete speech can be found on the University website (tamunews.tamu.edu) or by clicking “12th Man TV” link on AggieAthletics.com.
The versatile Ryan Tannehill
No Football Bowl Subdivision player ever can match senior quarterback Ryan Tannehill's versatility résumé. Research has shown that Tannehill is the only player in NCAA FBS history with a 400-yard passing game and a 200-yard receiving game to his credit. Tannehill is also the only FBS player to surpass 3,000 passing yards and 1,500 receiving yards in his career. The Big Spring High School product had his 200-yard receiving day against Kansas State as a freshman, and posted his 400-yard passing game in his starting debut last season against Texas Tech (ironically, his father's alma mater). In addition, Tannehill remains the Aggies' holder on placekicks and has three career punts to his credit.
2011 Update: Tannehill is on school record pace for completion percentage at 65.2 while completing 165-of-253 passes for 2,005 yards and 15 TDs. Posted 300-yard passing games against Idaho and Oklahoma State, and a 400-yard game against Baylor. Named Walter Camp National Player of the Week and Davey O'Brien Quarterback of the Week for his six-TD, 415-yard passing effort vs. Baylor. Named a finalist for the Unitas Award and a semifinalist for “The O'Brien” … received a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award and was named a finalist for the 2011 William v. Campbell Trophy, which is given annually to the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation.
Tannehill's Impressive Résumé
Receptions/Single Game 12 vs. Kansas State, 2008 (No. 5 in school history)
Receiving Yards/Single Game 210 vs. Kansas State, 2008 (No. 3 in school history)
Receptions/Season 55 in 2008 (No. 8 in school history)
Receiving Yards/Season 844 in 2008 (No. 4 in school history)
Receptions/Career 112 (No. 4 in school history)
Receiving Yards/Career 1,596 (No. 5 in school history)
Passing Yards/Single Game 449 vs. Texas Tech, 2010 (school record)
Completions/Single Game 36 vs. Texas Tech, 2010 (No. 2 in school history)
Attempts/Single Game 50 vs. Texas Tech, 2010 (No. 7 in school history)
Passing TDs/Single Game 6 vs. Baylor, 2011 (tNo. 2 in school history)
Completion Pct./Season 65.0 in 2010 (school record)
Total Offense/Single Game 470 vs. Baylor, 2011 (No. 2 in school history)
Record-setting Fuller
When Jeff Fuller announced that he would forgo the 2011 NFL Draft and stay at A&M for his senior season, it ensured that there would be a new name at the top of every career receiving at the school. That became complete last week when Fuller laid claim to the career receiving yards record to go along with his already-earned career catches and receiving touchdowns school records.
2011 Update: Has battled injuries this season with a balky hamstring and a concussion against Texas Tech. Had season-highs with nine catches for 82 yards vs. Arkansas. Has remained a high-level contributor with 39 catches for 426 yards and three TDs in 2011 (No. 2 on team in all three categories)
Fuller's Résumé
• Named to “watch lists” for Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Maxwell Award, the Biletnikoff Award and the Pony Express Award.
• Has caught at least one pass in every game of his career (40 straight).
• School record holder with 31 career TD catches, which is No. 3 among active FBS players.
• School record holder with 202 career catches, which is No. 8 among active FBS players.
• School record holder with 2,690 career receiving yards, which is No. 11 among active FBS players.
• Became Texas A&M's first 1,000-yard receiver in 2010.
• Owns three of the top five single season receiving touchdowns efforts in school history.
• Set the season catches record (tie with Ryan Swope) with 72 catches in 2010.
Swope's short game sets table for Aggies
Lining up all over the field, slot receiver Ryan Swope is Mr. Inside to Jeff Fuller's Mr. Outside. Swope keeps the Aggie offense humming with his repertoire of bubble screens, sweeps and over-the-middle catches, along with his defense-stretching speed (he's regarded as the fastest receiver on the team).
Swope finished 2010 with a school-record 72 catches (tie with Fuller) for 825 yards. He challenged the Aggies' single game record for catches in last year's season-opener with 13 catches against Stephen F. Austin. His ability to make plays down the field with his blazing speed helped him put the Oklahoma game out of reach with a career-long 64-yard touchdown reception.
2011 Update: Team leader in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Named Big 12 Player of the Week by Rivals.com after posting his first career 200-yard game with 206 yards against Baylor. His four TD catches were a school record. Had 100-yard games vs. SMU (8-109) and Oklahoma State (7-105).
Swope's Résumé
• Named to “watch list” for the Biletnikoff Award.
• Matched Jeff Fuller's 72 catches in 2010 to break Rod Bernstine's long-standing single season record of 65 catches.
• Opened 2010 season with a 13-catch, 106-yard performance against Stephen F. Austin, which tied for the second-most in school history behind Albert Connell's record 18 catches from 1996 vs. Colorado.
• Has six career 100 yard receiving games, and one 200-yard game.
• Set school record with four TD catches against Baylor in 2011.
• Had a pair of career-long 68-yard TD catches against Baylor in 2011.
Gray on his way to 6,000 all-purpose, 3000 rushing
Preseason first-team All-Big 12 RB Cyrus Gray, a senior from DeSoto, Texas, is the leading returning rusher in the conference after rushing for 1,133 yards in 2010. Always a solid running back, Gray took his game to the next level in 2010. He earned the starting nod at RB over Christine Michael in game seven, and then Michael suffered a season-ending broken leg in game 8 which forced Gray to shoulder the bulk of the carries for the first time in his career. The transformation was stunning as Gray averaged 134.0 yards in the final seven games of the season after gaining just an average of 32.5 yards in first six games of 2010.
2011 Update: All-purpose yards school record holder continues to churn out the yards and is closing in on 6,000-yard plateau. Also nearing 3,000-yard level in rushing. Nine-game streak of 100-yard rushing games was snapped against Oklahoma State, one shy of A&M record. Has 13 career 100-yard rushing games, including 11 in his last 14 games.
Gray's Résumé
• Named to “watch lists” for Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award and the Pony Express Award
• Big 12's leading returning rusher (1,133 yards in 2010)
• Rushed for a career-high 223 yards on 27 carries in the 2010 regular season finale against Texas, who was a record for an A&M player against the Longhorns and was A&M's first 200-yard rushing game since Leeland McElroy had 229 on 35 carries against LSU in 1995.
• Gray is A&M's game, season and career leader in kickoff return yardage.
• Gray is A&M's career all purpose yardage leader.
Big 12 All-Purpose Career Leaders
6,812 Darren Sproles, Kansas State, 2001-04
6,718 DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma, 2007-10
6,161 Cedric Benson, Texas, 2001-04
5,992 Ricky Williams, Texas, 1996-98
5,932 Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M
Texas A&M All-Purpose Career Leaders
5,932 Cyrus Gray, 2008-Present
5,023 Darren Lewis, 1987-90
4,706 Curtis Dickey, 1976-79
4,706 Danté Hall, 1996-99
4,186 Leeland McElroy, 1993-95
Trends and Notables
• The Aggies have scored 33-of-35 times in the red zone (inside 20) with 24 touchdowns/nine field goals. A&M's 94.0 percent success rate leads the Big 12 Conference and ranks No. 7 nationally.
• After four home games, Kyle Field has been filled to 104.9 percent capacity, averaging 87,073 fans/game. Kyle Field is one of four stadiums nationally operating at higher than 104.0 percent capacity.
• A&M has five consecutive sellouts, which is a school record. A&M's current streak of sellouts dates back to the 2010 Nebraska game, which set the school record with an attendance of 90,079.
• A&M's current home attendance average of 87,073, ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 Conference.
• Opponents have 17 QB sacks/QB hurries vs. Aggies...Wrecking Crew has 52 QBS/QBH
• On 3rd down carries by Christine Michael (6) and Cyrus Gray (8), the Aggies have made first downs 14 times on 17 carries.
• On third down catches by Ryan Swope (9), Jeff Fuller (5) and Uzoma Nwachukwu (4), the trio has produced a first down or touchdown on 18 of 20 catches.
• Swope and Fuller have produced a first down and/or TD 57 times on 83 combined catches.
• Swope is the only player on the team with double-digit plays of more than 20 yards. He has 11 20-plus yard receptions.
• Cyrus Gray is the only player on the squad with three different type of 20-yard plus plays. Gray has 20-yard plus plays via rush, catch and return.
• Weird stat: Texas A&M has allowed just 5 opponent punt returns in 7 gms. Only nine teams in FBS with fewer opponent punt returns.
• Texas A&M ranks No. 3 nationally in first downs per game with a 28.43 average. SIDENOTE: Five of top six teams in NCAA are from Big 12.
• Texas A&M's modest three-game winning streak is tied for the 18th-longest in FBS.
• Texas A&M's Kyle Field was rated the No. 20 “top venues in sport” by BusinessInsider.com, and was the highest rated college football stadium on the top 100 list. Coach Mike Sherman's old stomping grounds with the Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field, topped the list.
• The gameday experience at Kyle Field was rated best in the country in the Sport Illustrated College Football Preview. Texas A&M's traditions were rated No. 3 by the publication.
• Aggies own scoreboard bragging rights on every football-playing team in the state of Texas A&M's winning streaks over the other Texas schools range from a high of 24 over the TCU Horned Frogs (1973-1995, 2001) down to a one-game streak over Texas.
• Jeff Fuller spent time last summer working with one of the NFL's top receivers, Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals. Aggies remember Fitzgerald's trip to Kyle Field as a Pitt Panther when he torched the A&M secondary for seven catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns in 2003. “I learned tons of things,” Fuller said. “He's extremely competitive, tries to beat me into the ground running and conditions wise. A great role model, great person. One of the things he said is 'there is not substitute for work,' which I think is incredibly true. The way he goes out and works every single day and makes the people around him better as well.”
• Aggies on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame are bare-foot kicking legend Tony Franklin and the winningest head coach in Texas A&M history, R.C. Slocum.
• Jeff Fuller has caught at least one pass in A&M-record 37 straight games, which is every game of his career. Ryan Swope has caught at least one in 23 straight games, including multiple catches in 20 straight games.
• Head coach Mike Sherman has made eight bowl trips as a member of Texas A&M's coaching staff. Only R.C. Slocum with 18 bowl trips has been to more as a Aggie coach.
KICKOFF/DATE: 11 a.m. (CT), Saturday, Oct. 29, 2011
SITE: Kyle Field, College Station, Texas (CAP. 83,002)
TELEVISION
FX (National)
Gus Johnson, play-by-play
Charles Davis, commentary
Tim Brewster, sidelines
RADIO
Texas A&M Sports Network
Dave South, play-by-play
Dave Elmendorf, commentary
Tom Turbiville, sidelines
(Available on Sirius 117/XM 197)
Compass Media Networks (national)
Gregg Daniels, play-by-play
Curtis Conway, commentary
RANKINGS
Texas A&M (No. 16 - AP Top 25/No. 16 - USA Today Poll)
Missouri (Not ranked)
SERIES HISTORY
Texas A&M leads, 7-4 (lost 2)
LAST MEETING: Oct. 16, 2010: Missouri 30, Texas A&M 9 in College Station, Texas
Streaking Aggies look for fourth straight win
Texas A&M will try to notch its fourth straight win when the Aggies host Missouri in an 11 a.m. contest at Kyle Field on Saturday. After starting the season 2-2, the Aggies have reeled off three straight wins, all against Big 12 opponents. The Aggies go into Saturday's game with Missouri coming off victories over now-No. 19 Texas, then-No. 20 Baylor and Iowa State.
The Aggies lead the overall series with the Tigers with a 7-4 advantage, but Missouri has had the upperhand in recent seasons with four wins in the last five contests. A&M won the first seven meetings between the two schools, which included five pre-Big 12 meetings. The Aggies hold a 5-2 advantage over the Tigers in games at Kyle Field. The Tigers have won the last two meetings with a 40-26 win in Columbia in 2007 and 30-9 victory at Kyle Field last year.
Most successful run vs. Big 12 opponents for A&M
Texas A&M is in the midst of its most successful run against conference foes since the formation of the Big 12. Since dropping to 3-3 overall and 0-2 in the conference after last year's 30-9 loss to Missouri at Kyle Field, the Aggies have compiled an 11-3 overall record, including a 9-1 record against Big 12 opponents.
The nine wins in 10 games against the Big 12 marks A&M's winningest 10-game conference stretch since the league's formation in 1996. The previous best 10-game Big 12 span for the Aggies was 8-2 with all eight wins coming from A&M's Big 12 Championship season in 1998.
Milestones watch …
• A win over Missouri would give A&M 10 victories in its last 11 contests against Big 12 opponents.
• A win over Missouri would make A&M bowl-eligible for third-straight season under Mike Sherman.
• QB Ryan Tannehill is just 11 yards from the 4,000-yard plateau in career total offense and 289 yards from 4,000 in career passing yards (in 13 games as a starter at QB).
• PK Randy Bullock is one FG from becoming fourth Aggie placekicker with 50 career three-pointers.
• CB Terrence Frederick is one pass broken up from matching Wrecking Crew founder Chet Brooks and Donovan Greer at No. 9 on career PBUs list (26).
• RB Cyrus Gray is just 68 all-purpose yards away from the 6,000-yard plateau, which has only been achieved by three Big 12 players: Darren Sproles (Kansas State), DeMarco Murray (Oklahoma) and Cedric Benson (Texas).
• Gray needs 101 rushing yards to become A&M's fifth 3,000-yard rusher.
• WR Jeff Fuller needs two TDs (12 points) to become A&M's first non-RB or PK to hit 200 career points.
• A&M's next fumble recovery will be their first since the 2010 Texas game, a span of eight games, 33 quarters and 719 opponent chances. (A&M was credited with a fumble recovery when OSU WR Justin Blackmon inexplicably dropped the ball and it rolled through the endzone. Defense did not cause it, or recover it.). Texas A&M is the only team in NCAA FBS without a recovered fumble.
1,000 yards for C-MIKE, C-GRAY?
Texas A&M running backs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray are on pace to become the 53rd set of teammates to surpass 1,000 rushing yards in NCAA FBS history. The feat has never been done by a pair of Aggie runners. It was done most recently by a Big 12 tandem when Oklahoma's Chris Brown (1,220) and DeMarco Murray (1,002) did it in 2008.
C-MIKE, C-GRAY only RB tandem in Top 50
Aggie running backs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray are the only running back tandem in NCAA FBS to both be ranked in the top 50 nationally in rushing (Three other teams have a quarterback and running back ranked in the top 50). Michael is ranked No. 26 with 101.0 rushing yards per game, while Gray is No. 38 with 92.3 per game.
THREE OF A KIND
Texas A&M is one of just three teams (others are Baylor and Stanford) in the NCAA FBS with an offense that rank in the top 25 in rushing, passing, total and scoring offense.
Top 25 in NCAA Statistics
Rushing Offense No. 14 230.43
Passing Offense No. 20 292.14
Total Offense No. 522.57
Scoring Offense No. 13 40.43
First half two-minute drill
The Aggies have scored in the final two minutes of the second quarter in all seven games in 2011. In the last five games, all five scoring drives have been eight or more plays and over 62 yards in length.
Last Drive of 2nd Quarter Success
SMU: TD, 6 plays-52 yards, 2:16 TOP (1:05)
Idaho: TD, 6 plays-56 yards, 1:43 TOP (0:24)
Oklahoma State: FG, 15 plays-62 yards, 6:08 TOP (1:51)
Arkansas: TD, 11 plays-82 yards, 2:56 TOP (0:09)
Texas Tech: TD, 11 plays-63 yards, 3:28 TOP (0:24)
Baylor: TD, 11 plays-80 yards, 3:45 TOP (0:33)
Iowa State: TD, 8 plays-79 yards, 1:47 TOP (0:42)
HERE'S THE BEEF!!
All five of Texas A&M's offensive line starters are over 300 pounds, and the average weight of the Aggies' starting five on the offensive line is 310.6 pounds, making them the heaviest group in school history.
Big and Young
LT Luke Joeckel, So-1L, 310
LG Jarvis Harrison, Fr-RS, 317
C Patrick Lewis, Jr-2L, 306
RG Brian Thomas, Jr-1L, 315
RT Jake Matthews, So-1L, 305
Did you know?
Texas A&M is one of just seven teams without a senior starter on the offensive line. The others are Arizona, Georgia Tech, Stanford, Tennessee, UNLV and USC.
Protecting the passer
The Texas A&M offensive front is one of the best in the nation at protecting the quarterback. The Aggie O-line has allowed just six sacks while proving protection on 258 pass attempts. A&M's average of 0.86 QB sacks ranked No. 11 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma.
Did you know?
The Aggie offensive line has been flagged for holding just twice in 2011, and haven't been called for holding since the Idaho game.
Aggies in the Rankings
Texas A&M is in both the Associated Press media poll and the USA Today head coaches poll for the 14th straight week dating back to Nov. 7, 2010.
Boosted by a 33-17 road demolition of Iowa State, the Aggies jumped one spot to No. 16 in the AP Top 25 and two spots to No. 16 in the USA Today poll.
In the second BCS poll of 2011, the Aggies moved up a spot to No. 16. It is the Aggies' highest rank in the BCS since being No. 16 in the Oct. 16, 2004 standings.
LAST TIME OUT: Michael, Gray Lead the Way vs. Cyclones
RBs Christine Michael and Cyrus Gray both went over 100 rushing yards for the third time in their careers as the Aggies handed Iowa State a 33-17 on homecoming in Ames, Iowa.
• It was the Aggies' third straight victory and A&M's fifth straight win in true road games.
• A&M upped its all-time record against Iowa State to 10-1.
• Randy Bullock connected on a career-high four FGs, and has now connected on 10 straight FGA.
• Gray and Michael combined for 267 yards on 39 carries to pace the Aggies' 247-yard rushing attack.
• Offense gained 510 total yards on a season-high 90 plays.
• A week after attempting no punts against Baylor, A&M punter Ryan Epperson showed no signs of rust against the Cyclones with five boots for an average of 46.6 yards, including one coffin-corner effort.
• Aggies had a season-high nine pass breakups against the Cyclones.
Aggies' sack attack nears 2010 total
Just seven games into 2011, the Aggies' sack attack has already rolled up 28 quarterback sacks which is just two shy of 2010's Von Miller-led total of 30 QBS. Last year, 11 players combined to total the 30 sacks, led by Miller's Big 12-leading 10.5. In 2011, 14 players have combined for 28 sacks, led by junior Sean Porter's Big 12-best 7.5.
After seven games in 2010, the Aggies had produced just 13 sacks.
Wrecking Crew leads NCAA, Big 12 in Sacks
Averaging 4.00 quarterback sacks per game, the Aggies lead the Big 12 and the NCAA Football Subdivision in that category.
NCAA Team Sacks Leaders
1 Texas A&M 4.00
2 Oklahoma 3.86
3 Hawaii 3.71
4 Stanford 3.57
Florida State 3.57
Big 12 Team Sacks Leaders
1 Texas A&M 4.00
2 Oklahoma 3.86
3 Oklahoma State 2.86
4 Kansas State 2.14
Missouri 2.14
Porter steps up for Wrecking crew
On a team seeking to replace the big-play capabilities of departed All-American Von Miller, junior Sean Porter has been impressive from the outside linebacker spot opposite of Miller's old “Joker” position. After seven games, Porter leads the team in total tackes, solo tackles, QB sacks and total tackles for losses. Porter is tied for the Big 12 lead in sacks with Oklahoma's Frank Alexander at 7.5 QBS.
Being asked to get to the quarterback is new for Porter, who entered 2011 with just 1.5 QB sacks in his previous two seasons (15 starts in 26 games).
Aggies achieving balance on offense
Over the last five games against Oklahoma State, Arkansas, Texas Tech, Baylor and Iowa State, the Aggies are averaging 251.6 rushing yards/43.8 rushes and 284.4 passing yards/37.8 pass attempts.
Bullock shows off power boost
Senior placekicker Randy Bullock's hard work last summer has resulted in more distance on his kickoffs. Currently the most accurate kicker in school history with a career success rate of 77.8 percent on field goal attempts, Bullock had registered only 27 touchbacks in 192 career kickoffs (14.1 percent). In 2011, Bullock already has 19 touchbacks on 56 kickoffs (33.9 percent), and is averaging 66.0 yards per kickoff (nearly four-yard improvement from 2010). During fall camp, Bullock referenced the key to his improvement: “The biggest thing is I'm not having to play catch-up,” Bullock said. “Last year I had been sick all summer. This year I came in healthy after working all summer and I'm ready to go.”
Bullock looking for Big 5-0
Randy Bullock's next field goal will be the 50th of his career, which will make him just the fourth Aggie placekicker with 50 or more three-pointers. Bullock is the Big 12 leader in field goals per game, and his success percentage on 15-of-16 is through the roof at 93.8 percent in 2011. His season and career FG percent is on pace to break both records.
DeSoto Pipeline
Three of the Aggies' most experienced and productive players are former DeSoto Eagles -- true senior running back Cyrus Gray, true senior defensive end Tony Jerod-Eddie and fifth-year senior inside linebacker Garrick Williams.
Making an Impact ... 2011
Cyrus Gray (DeSoto Class of '08) Nearing 6,000 all-purpose yards, 3000 rushing yards
Tony Jerod-Eddie (DeSoto Class of '08) DL's top tackler with 24 stops, 4 sacks
Garrick Williams (DeSoto Class of '07) No. 4 tackler with 34 tackles
Coming and Going
The Aggies will be one of the most experienced teams in the nation in 2011 with 18 of 22 position starters returning, including 10 of 11 from the offense. A&M also returns a whopping 60 lettermen, which is EASILY the most in school history. The previous high for returning lettermen was 50 on the 1988 and the 2010 squads.
Six graduates on Aggies' 2011 roster
Texas A&M has six graduates on the fall 2011 roster.
Danny Baker August 2011 University Studies (Mays Business School)
Ben Bass May 2011 Ag Leadership and Development
Matt Sherman August 2011 University Studies (Agriculture and Life Sciences)
Lionel Smith August 2011 Ag Leadership and Development
Ryan Tannehill May 2011 Biology
Garrick Williams August 2011 University Studies (Agriculture and Life Sciences)
SIDENOTE: Mike Sherman gave a rousing speech to the 2011 summer graduates at the commencement convocation ceremony. The complete speech can be found on the University website (tamunews.tamu.edu) or by clicking “12th Man TV” link on AggieAthletics.com.
The versatile Ryan Tannehill
No Football Bowl Subdivision player ever can match senior quarterback Ryan Tannehill's versatility résumé. Research has shown that Tannehill is the only player in NCAA FBS history with a 400-yard passing game and a 200-yard receiving game to his credit. Tannehill is also the only FBS player to surpass 3,000 passing yards and 1,500 receiving yards in his career. The Big Spring High School product had his 200-yard receiving day against Kansas State as a freshman, and posted his 400-yard passing game in his starting debut last season against Texas Tech (ironically, his father's alma mater). In addition, Tannehill remains the Aggies' holder on placekicks and has three career punts to his credit.
2011 Update: Tannehill is on school record pace for completion percentage at 65.2 while completing 165-of-253 passes for 2,005 yards and 15 TDs. Posted 300-yard passing games against Idaho and Oklahoma State, and a 400-yard game against Baylor. Named Walter Camp National Player of the Week and Davey O'Brien Quarterback of the Week for his six-TD, 415-yard passing effort vs. Baylor. Named a finalist for the Unitas Award and a semifinalist for “The O'Brien” … received a National Football Foundation Scholar-Athlete Award and was named a finalist for the 2011 William v. Campbell Trophy, which is given annually to the absolute best scholar-athlete in the nation.
Tannehill's Impressive Résumé
Receptions/Single Game 12 vs. Kansas State, 2008 (No. 5 in school history)
Receiving Yards/Single Game 210 vs. Kansas State, 2008 (No. 3 in school history)
Receptions/Season 55 in 2008 (No. 8 in school history)
Receiving Yards/Season 844 in 2008 (No. 4 in school history)
Receptions/Career 112 (No. 4 in school history)
Receiving Yards/Career 1,596 (No. 5 in school history)
Passing Yards/Single Game 449 vs. Texas Tech, 2010 (school record)
Completions/Single Game 36 vs. Texas Tech, 2010 (No. 2 in school history)
Attempts/Single Game 50 vs. Texas Tech, 2010 (No. 7 in school history)
Passing TDs/Single Game 6 vs. Baylor, 2011 (tNo. 2 in school history)
Completion Pct./Season 65.0 in 2010 (school record)
Total Offense/Single Game 470 vs. Baylor, 2011 (No. 2 in school history)
Record-setting Fuller
When Jeff Fuller announced that he would forgo the 2011 NFL Draft and stay at A&M for his senior season, it ensured that there would be a new name at the top of every career receiving at the school. That became complete last week when Fuller laid claim to the career receiving yards record to go along with his already-earned career catches and receiving touchdowns school records.
2011 Update: Has battled injuries this season with a balky hamstring and a concussion against Texas Tech. Had season-highs with nine catches for 82 yards vs. Arkansas. Has remained a high-level contributor with 39 catches for 426 yards and three TDs in 2011 (No. 2 on team in all three categories)
Fuller's Résumé
• Named to “watch lists” for Walter Camp Player of the Year Award, the Maxwell Award, the Biletnikoff Award and the Pony Express Award.
• Has caught at least one pass in every game of his career (40 straight).
• School record holder with 31 career TD catches, which is No. 3 among active FBS players.
• School record holder with 202 career catches, which is No. 8 among active FBS players.
• School record holder with 2,690 career receiving yards, which is No. 11 among active FBS players.
• Became Texas A&M's first 1,000-yard receiver in 2010.
• Owns three of the top five single season receiving touchdowns efforts in school history.
• Set the season catches record (tie with Ryan Swope) with 72 catches in 2010.
Swope's short game sets table for Aggies
Lining up all over the field, slot receiver Ryan Swope is Mr. Inside to Jeff Fuller's Mr. Outside. Swope keeps the Aggie offense humming with his repertoire of bubble screens, sweeps and over-the-middle catches, along with his defense-stretching speed (he's regarded as the fastest receiver on the team).
Swope finished 2010 with a school-record 72 catches (tie with Fuller) for 825 yards. He challenged the Aggies' single game record for catches in last year's season-opener with 13 catches against Stephen F. Austin. His ability to make plays down the field with his blazing speed helped him put the Oklahoma game out of reach with a career-long 64-yard touchdown reception.
2011 Update: Team leader in catches, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. Named Big 12 Player of the Week by Rivals.com after posting his first career 200-yard game with 206 yards against Baylor. His four TD catches were a school record. Had 100-yard games vs. SMU (8-109) and Oklahoma State (7-105).
Swope's Résumé
• Named to “watch list” for the Biletnikoff Award.
• Matched Jeff Fuller's 72 catches in 2010 to break Rod Bernstine's long-standing single season record of 65 catches.
• Opened 2010 season with a 13-catch, 106-yard performance against Stephen F. Austin, which tied for the second-most in school history behind Albert Connell's record 18 catches from 1996 vs. Colorado.
• Has six career 100 yard receiving games, and one 200-yard game.
• Set school record with four TD catches against Baylor in 2011.
• Had a pair of career-long 68-yard TD catches against Baylor in 2011.
Gray on his way to 6,000 all-purpose, 3000 rushing
Preseason first-team All-Big 12 RB Cyrus Gray, a senior from DeSoto, Texas, is the leading returning rusher in the conference after rushing for 1,133 yards in 2010. Always a solid running back, Gray took his game to the next level in 2010. He earned the starting nod at RB over Christine Michael in game seven, and then Michael suffered a season-ending broken leg in game 8 which forced Gray to shoulder the bulk of the carries for the first time in his career. The transformation was stunning as Gray averaged 134.0 yards in the final seven games of the season after gaining just an average of 32.5 yards in first six games of 2010.
2011 Update: All-purpose yards school record holder continues to churn out the yards and is closing in on 6,000-yard plateau. Also nearing 3,000-yard level in rushing. Nine-game streak of 100-yard rushing games was snapped against Oklahoma State, one shy of A&M record. Has 13 career 100-yard rushing games, including 11 in his last 14 games.
Gray's Résumé
• Named to “watch lists” for Doak Walker Award, the Maxwell Award and the Pony Express Award
• Big 12's leading returning rusher (1,133 yards in 2010)
• Rushed for a career-high 223 yards on 27 carries in the 2010 regular season finale against Texas, who was a record for an A&M player against the Longhorns and was A&M's first 200-yard rushing game since Leeland McElroy had 229 on 35 carries against LSU in 1995.
• Gray is A&M's game, season and career leader in kickoff return yardage.
• Gray is A&M's career all purpose yardage leader.
Big 12 All-Purpose Career Leaders
6,812 Darren Sproles, Kansas State, 2001-04
6,718 DeMarco Murray, Oklahoma, 2007-10
6,161 Cedric Benson, Texas, 2001-04
5,992 Ricky Williams, Texas, 1996-98
5,932 Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M
Texas A&M All-Purpose Career Leaders
5,932 Cyrus Gray, 2008-Present
5,023 Darren Lewis, 1987-90
4,706 Curtis Dickey, 1976-79
4,706 Danté Hall, 1996-99
4,186 Leeland McElroy, 1993-95
Trends and Notables
• The Aggies have scored 33-of-35 times in the red zone (inside 20) with 24 touchdowns/nine field goals. A&M's 94.0 percent success rate leads the Big 12 Conference and ranks No. 7 nationally.
• After four home games, Kyle Field has been filled to 104.9 percent capacity, averaging 87,073 fans/game. Kyle Field is one of four stadiums nationally operating at higher than 104.0 percent capacity.
• A&M has five consecutive sellouts, which is a school record. A&M's current streak of sellouts dates back to the 2010 Nebraska game, which set the school record with an attendance of 90,079.
• A&M's current home attendance average of 87,073, ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 Conference.
• Opponents have 17 QB sacks/QB hurries vs. Aggies...Wrecking Crew has 52 QBS/QBH
• On 3rd down carries by Christine Michael (6) and Cyrus Gray (8), the Aggies have made first downs 14 times on 17 carries.
• On third down catches by Ryan Swope (9), Jeff Fuller (5) and Uzoma Nwachukwu (4), the trio has produced a first down or touchdown on 18 of 20 catches.
• Swope and Fuller have produced a first down and/or TD 57 times on 83 combined catches.
• Swope is the only player on the team with double-digit plays of more than 20 yards. He has 11 20-plus yard receptions.
• Cyrus Gray is the only player on the squad with three different type of 20-yard plus plays. Gray has 20-yard plus plays via rush, catch and return.
• Weird stat: Texas A&M has allowed just 5 opponent punt returns in 7 gms. Only nine teams in FBS with fewer opponent punt returns.
• Texas A&M ranks No. 3 nationally in first downs per game with a 28.43 average. SIDENOTE: Five of top six teams in NCAA are from Big 12.
• Texas A&M's modest three-game winning streak is tied for the 18th-longest in FBS.
• Texas A&M's Kyle Field was rated the No. 20 “top venues in sport” by BusinessInsider.com, and was the highest rated college football stadium on the top 100 list. Coach Mike Sherman's old stomping grounds with the Green Bay Packers, Lambeau Field, topped the list.
• The gameday experience at Kyle Field was rated best in the country in the Sport Illustrated College Football Preview. Texas A&M's traditions were rated No. 3 by the publication.
• Aggies own scoreboard bragging rights on every football-playing team in the state of Texas A&M's winning streaks over the other Texas schools range from a high of 24 over the TCU Horned Frogs (1973-1995, 2001) down to a one-game streak over Texas.
• Jeff Fuller spent time last summer working with one of the NFL's top receivers, Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals. Aggies remember Fitzgerald's trip to Kyle Field as a Pitt Panther when he torched the A&M secondary for seven catches for 135 yards and two touchdowns in 2003. “I learned tons of things,” Fuller said. “He's extremely competitive, tries to beat me into the ground running and conditions wise. A great role model, great person. One of the things he said is 'there is not substitute for work,' which I think is incredibly true. The way he goes out and works every single day and makes the people around him better as well.”
• Aggies on the ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame are bare-foot kicking legend Tony Franklin and the winningest head coach in Texas A&M history, R.C. Slocum.
• Jeff Fuller has caught at least one pass in A&M-record 37 straight games, which is every game of his career. Ryan Swope has caught at least one in 23 straight games, including multiple catches in 20 straight games.
• Head coach Mike Sherman has made eight bowl trips as a member of Texas A&M's coaching staff. Only R.C. Slocum with 18 bowl trips has been to more as a Aggie coach.