Texas A&M (5-4, 3-3 vs. Big 12)
at
Kansas State (7-2, 4-2 vs. Big 12)
KICKOFF/DATE: 2:30 p.m. (CT), Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011
SITE: Bill Snyder family stadium, manhattan, Kan. (CAP. 50,000)
TELEVISION
ABC (Regional)
Carter Blackburn, play-by-play
Brock Huard, commentary
RADIO
Texas A&M Sports Network
Dave South, play-by-play
Dave Elmendorf, commentary
Tom Turbiville, sidelines
(KSU call on Sirius 85/XM 85)
RANKINGS
Texas A&M (Not ranked - AP Top 25/RV - USA Today Poll)
Kansas State (No. 17 - AP Top 25/No. 22 - USA Today Poll)
SERIES HISTORY: Texas A&M leads 8-6 (lost 2)
LAST MEETING: Oct. 17, 2009: Kansas State 62, Texas A&M 14 in Manhattan, Kan.
LIVE AUDIO: aggieathletics.com, radioaggieland.com
LIVE STATS: aggieathletics.com
Aggies seeking win, bowl eligibility vs. KSU
Texas A&M will head to Manhattan, Kan., this week seeking a win over Kansas State that would halt a two-game losing streak and make the Aggies eligible for their 33rd bowl game in program history. The Aggies and Wildcats kick at 2:30 p.m. and the game will be regionally televised by ABC.
The Aggies are coming off losses to Missouri at home and Oklahoma on the road, and the Wildcats are trying to snap their own two-game losing skid after losses to Oklahoma at home and a narrow 52-45 defeat to Oklahoma State last Saturday.
A&M holds 8-6 lead in the overall series between the schools, but the Wildcats have won the last two meetings. The Aggies' most recent victory in the series was a 30-28 win in Manhattan, Kan., in 2005. The Aggies and Wildcats have had several memorable meetings since the formation of the Big 12, but none moreso than the Aggies' 15-point rally in a 36-33 double overtime win in the 1998 Big 12 Championship game.
Milestones watch …
• RB Cyrus Gray needs 14 rushing yards to become A&M's fifth 3,000-yard rusher.
• PK Randy Bullock is 11 points from becoming A&M's 10th single season 100-point scorer, and 13 points from matching Kyle Bryant's school record of 325 career points (1994-97).
• WR Jeff Fuller needs two TDs (12 points) to become A&M's first non-RB or PK to hit 200 career points.
• QB Ryan Tannehill is 299 yards from his first 3,000-yard passing season. He would become just the second Aggie to hit 3,000 (Jerrod Johnson had 3,579 in 2009). He is 288 yards from becoming A&M's ninth player to hit 5,000 total yards in his career.
• WR Ryan Swope is 126 receiving yards from his first 1,000-yard season. Jeff Fuller had A&M's only 1,000-yard season last year when he gained 1,066 yards. He is also 129 yards from becoming A&M's third receiver with 2,000 career yards, joining Fuller (2,786) and Terrence Murphy (2,600).
Trends and Notables
• Facing the nation's top sack team last week, the Aggies held the Sooners to no sacks while protecting Ryan Tannehill on a career-high 63 pass attempts.
• The Aggies have scored 40-of-43 times in the red zone (inside 20) with 30 touchdowns/10 field goals. A&M's 93.0 percent success rate leads the Big 12 Conference and ranks in a tie for No. 7 nationally.
• Opponents have 23 QB sacks/QB hurries vs. Aggies...Wrecking Crew has 60 QBS/QBH
• On 3rd down carries by Christine Michael (8) and Cyrus Gray (10), the Aggies have made first downs 18 times on 22 carries.
• On third down catches by Ryan Swope (17), Jeff Fuller (7) and Uzoma Nwachukwu (4), the trio has produced a first down or touchdown on 28 of 33 catches.
• Swope and Fuller have produced a first down and/or TD 76 times on 110 combined catches (69.1 percent).
• Swope is the only player on the team with double-digit plays of more than 20 yards. He has 12 20-plus yard receptions, including A&M's three-longest catches of the season.
• 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 seven opponent punt returns in nine games
• Texas A&M ranks No. 3 nationally in first downs per game with a 28.44 average.
Sherman's Offense Hits 500
Since shifting offensive scheme to a quick-paced no-huddle offense in 2009, the Aggies have become one of the most prolific offenses in the nation. In 35 games since the philosophy switch three seasons ago, the Aggies have hit 500 yards in total offense 18 times. Prior to the switch, the Aggies hit the 500-yard plateau in a single game 18 times in the previous 116 games over 10 seasons dating back to the Kansas game in 1999.
500-Yard Total Offense Game by Texas A&M: Before/After
Since Switch (18/35)
2011 (6/9 gms)
Idaho 517
Arkansas (Arlington) 628
Baylor 681
at Iowa State 510
Missouri 500
at Oklahoma 527
2010 (5/13 gms)
Stephen F. Austin 539
Louisiana Tech 565
at Oklahoma State 535
at Kansas 521
Texas Tech 623
2009 (7/13 gms)
New Mexico 606
Utah State 573
UAB 544
at Texas Tech 559
Iowa State 501
Baylor 528
Texas 532
Before Switch (18/116)
2008 (2/12 gms)
Kansas State 544
at Iowa State 509
2007 (3/13 gms)
Louisiana-Monroe 547
Baylor 552
Texas 533
2006 (1/13 gms)
at Baylor 507
2005 (3/11 gms)
SMU 714
Texas State 559
Oklahoma State 694
2004 (2/12 gms)
Clemson 502
Colorado 532
2003 (3/12 gms)
Pittsburgh 544
Baylor 719
Kansas 547
2002 (2/12 gms)
Texas Tech 517
at Kansas 566
2001 (1/12 gms)
at Wyoming 507
2000 (0/12 gms)
none
1999 (1/7 gms)
Kansas 522
Offense on a Record Total/Passing/Scoring Pace
Led by host of offensive weapons and a youthful but talented offensive line, the 2011 edition of Texas A&M offense is on pace to shatter the school records for total offense, passing yards and scoring.
Chasing History
Category 2011 Record, Year
Passing Offense 304.6 281.6, 2009
Total Offense 520.6 471.1, 1990
Scoring Offense 37.7 36.7, 1993
Offense ranked in Top 25 in Total/Rushing/Passing/Scoring
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. 19 216.0
Passing Offense No. 12 304.6
Total Offense No. 6 520.6
Scoring Offense No. 15 37.7
Gray on the way to NCAA record book
Do-it-all senior Cyrus Gray is within 63 yards of breaking into the top 30 of the NCAA FBS career leaders in all-purpose running. With three regular season games left in his illustrious career, Gray has 6,098 all-purpose yardage in 47 games of action.
NCAA FBS Career All-Purpose Leaders
Rk Player, School Yards Years
1 *Damaris Johnson, Tulsa 7,796 2008-
5 Ricky Williams, Texas 7,206 1995-98
10 *TY Hilton, FIU 6,950 2008-
15 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin 6,701 1996-99
20 Trevor Cobb, Rice 6,512 1989-92
25 *Bobby Rainey, W. Kentucky 6,317 2008-
26 Damion Fletcher, S. Miss 6,253 2006-09
27 James Rodgers, Oregon St. 6,251 2008-
28 Dorien Bryant, Purdue 6,219 2004-07
29 Glyn Milburn, OU, Stanford 6,188 1988, 90-92
30 Cedric Benson, Texas 6,161 2001-04
31 Howard Jackson, UTEP 6,153 2001-04
32 Travis Prentice, Miami (Ohio) 6,123 1996-99
33 *Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M 6,098 2008-
* — Active Player
SEVERAL AGGIES ON PACE TO BREAK SEASON RECORDS
Record Chasers
Player Category Current 12 gm. projection Current record
Ryan Tannehill Completions 232 309 296 by Jerrod Johnson, 2009
Ryan Tannehill Pass Yards 2,701 3,601 3,579 by Jerrod Johnson, 2009
Ryan Swope Receptions 6.7 80 72 by Swope, Jeff Fuller, 2010
Ryan Swope Rec. Yards 97.1 1,165.2 1,066 by Jeff Fuller, 2010
Randy Bullock Field Goals 1.9 23 21 by Scott Slater, 1986
Heading to half with a score
The Aggies have scored in the final 3:11 of the second quarter in all nine games in 2011, including long (63 yards or more) touchdown drives in the last six games.
Late 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 St.: 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)
Missouri: TD, 11 plays-64 yards, 4:42 TOP (3:11)
Oklahoma: TD, 3 plays-80 yards, 0:46 TOP (1:39)
HERE'S THE BEEF!!
Depending on who starts at guard -- either Cedric Ogbuehi (292 pounds) or Jarvis Harrison (317) -- the Aggies have the heaviest offensive front in school history (averaging 310.6 with Harrison) or simply one of the top five largest (with Ogbuehi).
Big and Young
LT Luke Joeckel, So-1L, 310
LG Cedric Ogbuehi, Fr-RS, 292 or Jarvis Harrison, Fr-RS, 317
C Patrick Lewis, Jr-2L, 306
RG Brian Thomas, Jr-1L, 315
RT Jake Matthews, So-1L, 305
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 seven sacks while proving protection on 311 pass attempts. A&M's average of 0.88 QB sacks ranked No. 12 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma.
Aggies in the Rankings
Texas A&M are receiving votes in the USA Today head coaches poll. The Aggies fell out of the polls after the loss to Missouri for the first time since Nov. 7, 2010.
Aggies in Top 25 Rankings: 2011
Top 25 Poll Pre 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Final
Associated Press 8 7 9 8 14 24 21 17 16 RV --
USA Today 9 8 9 8 13 25 23 18 16 RV RV
BCS Standings -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 17 16 -- --
Wrecking Crew Among the NCAA, Big 12 Sack Leaders
Averaging 3.44 quarterback sacks per game, the Aggies rank No. 3 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12.
NCAA Team Sacks Leaders
1 Oklahoma 3.78
2 South Florida 3.50
3 Texas A&M 3.44
4 Illinois 3.44
5 Florida State 3.33
Big 12 Team Sacks Leaders
1 Oklahoma 3.78
2 Texas A&M 3.44
3 Oklahoma State 2.67
4 Missouri 2.00
5 Texas 1.88
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. Porter leads the team in solo tackles, QB sacks and total tackles for losses. Porter is the Big 12 leader in sacks with 8.5 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).
Big 12 Sack Leaders
1 Sean Porter, Texas A&M 0.94
2 Frank Alexander, Oklahoma 0.83
3 Jamie Blatnick, Oklahoma State 0.78
4 Meshak Williams, Kansas State 0.67
5 Alex Okafor, Texas 0.63
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 76.1 percent on field goal attempts, Bullock had registered only 27 touchbacks in 192 career kickoffs (14.1 percent) prior to this season. In 2011, Bullock has 24 touchbacks on 66 kickoffs (36.4 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.”
Chart Chaser Bullock
Randy Bullock is one of four Aggie placekickers with 50 or more three-pointers. Bullock is the Big 12 leader in field goals per game, and his success percentage on 17-of-20 attempts is through the roof at 85.0 percent in 2011. His season and career FG percent is on pace to break both records.
A&M Career Extra Points
1 Randy Bullock, 2008- 159
2 Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 145
3 Todd Pegram, 2002-05 142
4 Terry Venetoulias, 1990-93 139
5 Tony Franklin, 1975-78 123
A&M Career Field Goals
1 Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 60
2 Todd Pegram, 2002-05 56
Tony Franklin, 1975-78 56
4 Randy Bullock, 2008- 51
5 David Hardy, 1979-82 43
A&M Career FG Percentage
1 Randy Bullock, 2008- .761
2 Todd Pegram, 2002-05 .747
3 Terence Kitchens, 1998-00 .732
4 Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 .706
5 Terry Venetoulias, 1990-93 .700
A&M Career Scoring
1 Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 325
2 Randy Bullock, 2008- 312
3 Todd Pegram, 2002-05 309
4 Jorvorskie Lane, 2005-08 302
5 Tony Franklin, 1975-78 291
A&M Season FG Percentage
1 Todd Pegram, 2004 12-13 (.923)
2 Randy Bullock, 2011 17-20 (.850)
3 Terence Kitchens, 2000 15-18 (.833)
4 Kyle Bryant, 1997 18-22 (.818)
5 Russell Bynum, 1998 16-20 (.800)
Layne Newman, 2006 12-15 (.800)
Big 12 FG Leaders
1 Randy Bullock, TAMU 1.89
2 Mike Hunnicutt, Oklahoma 1.75
3 Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma St. 1.67
4 Justin Tucker, Texas 1.38
5 Donnie Carona, Texas Tech 1.33
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) Over 6,000 all-purpose, nearing 3000 rushing yards
Tony Jerod-Eddie (DeSoto Class of '08) DL's top tackler with 29 stops, 4 sacks
Garrick Williams (DeSoto Class of '07) No. 4 tackler with 34 tackles
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)
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 challenging his completion percentage school record at 62.9 while completing 232-of-369 passes for 2,701 yards and 20 TDs. Posted 300-yard passing games against Idaho, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Oklahoma, 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.
2011 Update: Has battled injuries this season, but has remained a high-level contributor with 50 catches for 522 yards and three TDs in 2011 (No. 2 on team in all three categories) ... Had season-highs with nine catches for 82 yards vs. Arkansas.
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 (42 straight).
• School record holder with 31 career TD catches, which is No. 3 among active FBS players.
• School record holder with 213 career catches, which is No. 8 among active FBS players.
• School record holder with 2,786 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.
Texas A&M Career Receptions List
Player, Years Catches
1 Jeff Fuller, 2008- 213
2 Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 172
3 Ryan Swope, 2009- 151
4 Bethel Johnson, 1999-02 117
5 Keith Woodside, 1983, 85-87 110
Texas A&M Career Receiving Yards List
Player, Years Rec. Yards
1 Jeff Fuller, 2008- 2,786
2 Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 2,600
3 Ryan Swope, 2009- 1,871
4 Bethel Johnson, 1999-02 1,740
5 Jamaar Taylor, 2001-03 1,705
Texas A&M Career Receiving TDs List
1. Jeff Fuller, 2008- 31
2. Bob Long, 1966-68 19
3. Tony Harrison, 1990-93 14
4. Ryan Swope, 2009- 13
Albert Connell, 1995-96 13
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), Oklahoma State (7-105) and Oklahoma (8-149).
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 seven 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 68-yard TD catches against Baylor, and career-long 79-yarder against OU in 2011.
Texas A&M Career Receptions List
Player, Years Catches
1 Jeff Fuller, 2008- 213
2 Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 172
3 Ryan Swope, 2009- 151
4 Bethel Johnson, 1999-02 117
5 Keith Woodside, 1983, 85-87 110
Texas A&M Career Receiving Yards List
Player, Years Rec. Yards
1 Jeff Fuller, 2008- 2,786
2 Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 2,600
3 Ryan Swope, 2009- 1,871
4 Bethel Johnson, 1999-02 1,740
5 Jamaar Taylor, 2001-03 1,705
Texas A&M Career Receiving TDs List
1. Jeff Fuller, 2008- 31
2. Bob Long, 1966-68 19
3. Tony Harrison, 1990-93 14
4. Ryan Swope, 2009- 13
Albert Connell, 1995-96 13
Gray Joins Exclusive 6k Club, Nears 3,000 Rushing Yards
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 surpassed the 6,000-yard plateau against Missouri. 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 16games.
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 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.
• A&M's game, season and career leader in KOR yards.
• 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
6,098 Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M
5,992 Ricky Williams, Texas, 1996-98
Texas A&M All-Purpose Career Leaders
6,098 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
Texas A&M Rushing Career Leaders
5,012 Darren Lewis, 1987-90
3,703 Curtis Dickey, 1976-79
3,262 Greg Hill, 1991-93
3,014 Rodney Thomas, 1991-94
2,986 Cyrus Gray, 2008-Present
Trends and Notables
• After five home games, Kyle Field has been filled to 104.9 percent capacity, averaging 87,045 fans/game. Kyle Field is one of four stadiums nationally operating at higher than 104.0 percent capacity.
• A&M has six 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 87,045, ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 Conference.
• 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.
at
Kansas State (7-2, 4-2 vs. Big 12)
KICKOFF/DATE: 2:30 p.m. (CT), Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011
SITE: Bill Snyder family stadium, manhattan, Kan. (CAP. 50,000)
TELEVISION
ABC (Regional)
Carter Blackburn, play-by-play
Brock Huard, commentary
RADIO
Texas A&M Sports Network
Dave South, play-by-play
Dave Elmendorf, commentary
Tom Turbiville, sidelines
(KSU call on Sirius 85/XM 85)
RANKINGS
Texas A&M (Not ranked - AP Top 25/RV - USA Today Poll)
Kansas State (No. 17 - AP Top 25/No. 22 - USA Today Poll)
SERIES HISTORY: Texas A&M leads 8-6 (lost 2)
LAST MEETING: Oct. 17, 2009: Kansas State 62, Texas A&M 14 in Manhattan, Kan.
LIVE AUDIO: aggieathletics.com, radioaggieland.com
LIVE STATS: aggieathletics.com
Aggies seeking win, bowl eligibility vs. KSU
Texas A&M will head to Manhattan, Kan., this week seeking a win over Kansas State that would halt a two-game losing streak and make the Aggies eligible for their 33rd bowl game in program history. The Aggies and Wildcats kick at 2:30 p.m. and the game will be regionally televised by ABC.
The Aggies are coming off losses to Missouri at home and Oklahoma on the road, and the Wildcats are trying to snap their own two-game losing skid after losses to Oklahoma at home and a narrow 52-45 defeat to Oklahoma State last Saturday.
A&M holds 8-6 lead in the overall series between the schools, but the Wildcats have won the last two meetings. The Aggies' most recent victory in the series was a 30-28 win in Manhattan, Kan., in 2005. The Aggies and Wildcats have had several memorable meetings since the formation of the Big 12, but none moreso than the Aggies' 15-point rally in a 36-33 double overtime win in the 1998 Big 12 Championship game.
Milestones watch …
• RB Cyrus Gray needs 14 rushing yards to become A&M's fifth 3,000-yard rusher.
• PK Randy Bullock is 11 points from becoming A&M's 10th single season 100-point scorer, and 13 points from matching Kyle Bryant's school record of 325 career points (1994-97).
• WR Jeff Fuller needs two TDs (12 points) to become A&M's first non-RB or PK to hit 200 career points.
• QB Ryan Tannehill is 299 yards from his first 3,000-yard passing season. He would become just the second Aggie to hit 3,000 (Jerrod Johnson had 3,579 in 2009). He is 288 yards from becoming A&M's ninth player to hit 5,000 total yards in his career.
• WR Ryan Swope is 126 receiving yards from his first 1,000-yard season. Jeff Fuller had A&M's only 1,000-yard season last year when he gained 1,066 yards. He is also 129 yards from becoming A&M's third receiver with 2,000 career yards, joining Fuller (2,786) and Terrence Murphy (2,600).
Trends and Notables
• Facing the nation's top sack team last week, the Aggies held the Sooners to no sacks while protecting Ryan Tannehill on a career-high 63 pass attempts.
• The Aggies have scored 40-of-43 times in the red zone (inside 20) with 30 touchdowns/10 field goals. A&M's 93.0 percent success rate leads the Big 12 Conference and ranks in a tie for No. 7 nationally.
• Opponents have 23 QB sacks/QB hurries vs. Aggies...Wrecking Crew has 60 QBS/QBH
• On 3rd down carries by Christine Michael (8) and Cyrus Gray (10), the Aggies have made first downs 18 times on 22 carries.
• On third down catches by Ryan Swope (17), Jeff Fuller (7) and Uzoma Nwachukwu (4), the trio has produced a first down or touchdown on 28 of 33 catches.
• Swope and Fuller have produced a first down and/or TD 76 times on 110 combined catches (69.1 percent).
• Swope is the only player on the team with double-digit plays of more than 20 yards. He has 12 20-plus yard receptions, including A&M's three-longest catches of the season.
• 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 seven opponent punt returns in nine games
• Texas A&M ranks No. 3 nationally in first downs per game with a 28.44 average.
Sherman's Offense Hits 500
Since shifting offensive scheme to a quick-paced no-huddle offense in 2009, the Aggies have become one of the most prolific offenses in the nation. In 35 games since the philosophy switch three seasons ago, the Aggies have hit 500 yards in total offense 18 times. Prior to the switch, the Aggies hit the 500-yard plateau in a single game 18 times in the previous 116 games over 10 seasons dating back to the Kansas game in 1999.
500-Yard Total Offense Game by Texas A&M: Before/After
Since Switch (18/35)
2011 (6/9 gms)
Idaho 517
Arkansas (Arlington) 628
Baylor 681
at Iowa State 510
Missouri 500
at Oklahoma 527
2010 (5/13 gms)
Stephen F. Austin 539
Louisiana Tech 565
at Oklahoma State 535
at Kansas 521
Texas Tech 623
2009 (7/13 gms)
New Mexico 606
Utah State 573
UAB 544
at Texas Tech 559
Iowa State 501
Baylor 528
Texas 532
Before Switch (18/116)
2008 (2/12 gms)
Kansas State 544
at Iowa State 509
2007 (3/13 gms)
Louisiana-Monroe 547
Baylor 552
Texas 533
2006 (1/13 gms)
at Baylor 507
2005 (3/11 gms)
SMU 714
Texas State 559
Oklahoma State 694
2004 (2/12 gms)
Clemson 502
Colorado 532
2003 (3/12 gms)
Pittsburgh 544
Baylor 719
Kansas 547
2002 (2/12 gms)
Texas Tech 517
at Kansas 566
2001 (1/12 gms)
at Wyoming 507
2000 (0/12 gms)
none
1999 (1/7 gms)
Kansas 522
Offense on a Record Total/Passing/Scoring Pace
Led by host of offensive weapons and a youthful but talented offensive line, the 2011 edition of Texas A&M offense is on pace to shatter the school records for total offense, passing yards and scoring.
Chasing History
Category 2011 Record, Year
Passing Offense 304.6 281.6, 2009
Total Offense 520.6 471.1, 1990
Scoring Offense 37.7 36.7, 1993
Offense ranked in Top 25 in Total/Rushing/Passing/Scoring
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. 19 216.0
Passing Offense No. 12 304.6
Total Offense No. 6 520.6
Scoring Offense No. 15 37.7
Gray on the way to NCAA record book
Do-it-all senior Cyrus Gray is within 63 yards of breaking into the top 30 of the NCAA FBS career leaders in all-purpose running. With three regular season games left in his illustrious career, Gray has 6,098 all-purpose yardage in 47 games of action.
NCAA FBS Career All-Purpose Leaders
Rk Player, School Yards Years
1 *Damaris Johnson, Tulsa 7,796 2008-
5 Ricky Williams, Texas 7,206 1995-98
10 *TY Hilton, FIU 6,950 2008-
15 Ron Dayne, Wisconsin 6,701 1996-99
20 Trevor Cobb, Rice 6,512 1989-92
25 *Bobby Rainey, W. Kentucky 6,317 2008-
26 Damion Fletcher, S. Miss 6,253 2006-09
27 James Rodgers, Oregon St. 6,251 2008-
28 Dorien Bryant, Purdue 6,219 2004-07
29 Glyn Milburn, OU, Stanford 6,188 1988, 90-92
30 Cedric Benson, Texas 6,161 2001-04
31 Howard Jackson, UTEP 6,153 2001-04
32 Travis Prentice, Miami (Ohio) 6,123 1996-99
33 *Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M 6,098 2008-
* — Active Player
SEVERAL AGGIES ON PACE TO BREAK SEASON RECORDS
Record Chasers
Player Category Current 12 gm. projection Current record
Ryan Tannehill Completions 232 309 296 by Jerrod Johnson, 2009
Ryan Tannehill Pass Yards 2,701 3,601 3,579 by Jerrod Johnson, 2009
Ryan Swope Receptions 6.7 80 72 by Swope, Jeff Fuller, 2010
Ryan Swope Rec. Yards 97.1 1,165.2 1,066 by Jeff Fuller, 2010
Randy Bullock Field Goals 1.9 23 21 by Scott Slater, 1986
Heading to half with a score
The Aggies have scored in the final 3:11 of the second quarter in all nine games in 2011, including long (63 yards or more) touchdown drives in the last six games.
Late 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 St.: 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)
Missouri: TD, 11 plays-64 yards, 4:42 TOP (3:11)
Oklahoma: TD, 3 plays-80 yards, 0:46 TOP (1:39)
HERE'S THE BEEF!!
Depending on who starts at guard -- either Cedric Ogbuehi (292 pounds) or Jarvis Harrison (317) -- the Aggies have the heaviest offensive front in school history (averaging 310.6 with Harrison) or simply one of the top five largest (with Ogbuehi).
Big and Young
LT Luke Joeckel, So-1L, 310
LG Cedric Ogbuehi, Fr-RS, 292 or Jarvis Harrison, Fr-RS, 317
C Patrick Lewis, Jr-2L, 306
RG Brian Thomas, Jr-1L, 315
RT Jake Matthews, So-1L, 305
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 seven sacks while proving protection on 311 pass attempts. A&M's average of 0.88 QB sacks ranked No. 12 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 behind Oklahoma.
Aggies in the Rankings
Texas A&M are receiving votes in the USA Today head coaches poll. The Aggies fell out of the polls after the loss to Missouri for the first time since Nov. 7, 2010.
Aggies in Top 25 Rankings: 2011
Top 25 Poll Pre 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Final
Associated Press 8 7 9 8 14 24 21 17 16 RV --
USA Today 9 8 9 8 13 25 23 18 16 RV RV
BCS Standings -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 17 16 -- --
Wrecking Crew Among the NCAA, Big 12 Sack Leaders
Averaging 3.44 quarterback sacks per game, the Aggies rank No. 3 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12.
NCAA Team Sacks Leaders
1 Oklahoma 3.78
2 South Florida 3.50
3 Texas A&M 3.44
4 Illinois 3.44
5 Florida State 3.33
Big 12 Team Sacks Leaders
1 Oklahoma 3.78
2 Texas A&M 3.44
3 Oklahoma State 2.67
4 Missouri 2.00
5 Texas 1.88
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. Porter leads the team in solo tackles, QB sacks and total tackles for losses. Porter is the Big 12 leader in sacks with 8.5 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).
Big 12 Sack Leaders
1 Sean Porter, Texas A&M 0.94
2 Frank Alexander, Oklahoma 0.83
3 Jamie Blatnick, Oklahoma State 0.78
4 Meshak Williams, Kansas State 0.67
5 Alex Okafor, Texas 0.63
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 76.1 percent on field goal attempts, Bullock had registered only 27 touchbacks in 192 career kickoffs (14.1 percent) prior to this season. In 2011, Bullock has 24 touchbacks on 66 kickoffs (36.4 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.”
Chart Chaser Bullock
Randy Bullock is one of four Aggie placekickers with 50 or more three-pointers. Bullock is the Big 12 leader in field goals per game, and his success percentage on 17-of-20 attempts is through the roof at 85.0 percent in 2011. His season and career FG percent is on pace to break both records.
A&M Career Extra Points
1 Randy Bullock, 2008- 159
2 Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 145
3 Todd Pegram, 2002-05 142
4 Terry Venetoulias, 1990-93 139
5 Tony Franklin, 1975-78 123
A&M Career Field Goals
1 Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 60
2 Todd Pegram, 2002-05 56
Tony Franklin, 1975-78 56
4 Randy Bullock, 2008- 51
5 David Hardy, 1979-82 43
A&M Career FG Percentage
1 Randy Bullock, 2008- .761
2 Todd Pegram, 2002-05 .747
3 Terence Kitchens, 1998-00 .732
4 Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 .706
5 Terry Venetoulias, 1990-93 .700
A&M Career Scoring
1 Kyle Bryant, 1994-97 325
2 Randy Bullock, 2008- 312
3 Todd Pegram, 2002-05 309
4 Jorvorskie Lane, 2005-08 302
5 Tony Franklin, 1975-78 291
A&M Season FG Percentage
1 Todd Pegram, 2004 12-13 (.923)
2 Randy Bullock, 2011 17-20 (.850)
3 Terence Kitchens, 2000 15-18 (.833)
4 Kyle Bryant, 1997 18-22 (.818)
5 Russell Bynum, 1998 16-20 (.800)
Layne Newman, 2006 12-15 (.800)
Big 12 FG Leaders
1 Randy Bullock, TAMU 1.89
2 Mike Hunnicutt, Oklahoma 1.75
3 Quinn Sharp, Oklahoma St. 1.67
4 Justin Tucker, Texas 1.38
5 Donnie Carona, Texas Tech 1.33
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) Over 6,000 all-purpose, nearing 3000 rushing yards
Tony Jerod-Eddie (DeSoto Class of '08) DL's top tackler with 29 stops, 4 sacks
Garrick Williams (DeSoto Class of '07) No. 4 tackler with 34 tackles
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)
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 challenging his completion percentage school record at 62.9 while completing 232-of-369 passes for 2,701 yards and 20 TDs. Posted 300-yard passing games against Idaho, Oklahoma State, Missouri and Oklahoma, 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.
2011 Update: Has battled injuries this season, but has remained a high-level contributor with 50 catches for 522 yards and three TDs in 2011 (No. 2 on team in all three categories) ... Had season-highs with nine catches for 82 yards vs. Arkansas.
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 (42 straight).
• School record holder with 31 career TD catches, which is No. 3 among active FBS players.
• School record holder with 213 career catches, which is No. 8 among active FBS players.
• School record holder with 2,786 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.
Texas A&M Career Receptions List
Player, Years Catches
1 Jeff Fuller, 2008- 213
2 Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 172
3 Ryan Swope, 2009- 151
4 Bethel Johnson, 1999-02 117
5 Keith Woodside, 1983, 85-87 110
Texas A&M Career Receiving Yards List
Player, Years Rec. Yards
1 Jeff Fuller, 2008- 2,786
2 Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 2,600
3 Ryan Swope, 2009- 1,871
4 Bethel Johnson, 1999-02 1,740
5 Jamaar Taylor, 2001-03 1,705
Texas A&M Career Receiving TDs List
1. Jeff Fuller, 2008- 31
2. Bob Long, 1966-68 19
3. Tony Harrison, 1990-93 14
4. Ryan Swope, 2009- 13
Albert Connell, 1995-96 13
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), Oklahoma State (7-105) and Oklahoma (8-149).
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 seven 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 68-yard TD catches against Baylor, and career-long 79-yarder against OU in 2011.
Texas A&M Career Receptions List
Player, Years Catches
1 Jeff Fuller, 2008- 213
2 Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 172
3 Ryan Swope, 2009- 151
4 Bethel Johnson, 1999-02 117
5 Keith Woodside, 1983, 85-87 110
Texas A&M Career Receiving Yards List
Player, Years Rec. Yards
1 Jeff Fuller, 2008- 2,786
2 Terrence Murphy, 2001-04 2,600
3 Ryan Swope, 2009- 1,871
4 Bethel Johnson, 1999-02 1,740
5 Jamaar Taylor, 2001-03 1,705
Texas A&M Career Receiving TDs List
1. Jeff Fuller, 2008- 31
2. Bob Long, 1966-68 19
3. Tony Harrison, 1990-93 14
4. Ryan Swope, 2009- 13
Albert Connell, 1995-96 13
Gray Joins Exclusive 6k Club, Nears 3,000 Rushing Yards
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 surpassed the 6,000-yard plateau against Missouri. 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 16games.
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 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.
• A&M's game, season and career leader in KOR yards.
• 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
6,098 Cyrus Gray, Texas A&M
5,992 Ricky Williams, Texas, 1996-98
Texas A&M All-Purpose Career Leaders
6,098 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
Texas A&M Rushing Career Leaders
5,012 Darren Lewis, 1987-90
3,703 Curtis Dickey, 1976-79
3,262 Greg Hill, 1991-93
3,014 Rodney Thomas, 1991-94
2,986 Cyrus Gray, 2008-Present
Trends and Notables
• After five home games, Kyle Field has been filled to 104.9 percent capacity, averaging 87,045 fans/game. Kyle Field is one of four stadiums nationally operating at higher than 104.0 percent capacity.
• A&M has six 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 87,045, ranks No. 10 nationally and No. 2 in the Big 12 Conference.
• 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.