COLLEGE STATION--The Aggies will battle Louisiana Tech in the first game of the Kevin Sumlin era at Texas A&M when the two schools open their respective 2012 seasons at Independence Stadium in Shreveport, La., on Thursday, Aug. 30. With a ESPNU national television audience watching, the neutral site game will kick off at 6:30 p.m. (CT).
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Texas A&M is coming off a 7-6 campaign in 2011 which included a victory over Big Ten opponent Northwestern in the Meinecke Car Care Bowl of Texas. Louisiana Tech won the Western Athletic Conference crown in 2011 and finished the year with an 8-5 record that included a narrow loss to TCU in the Poinsettia Bowl.
Sumlin, a former A&M assistant under R.C. Slocum in 2001-02, was hired as the Aggies' head coach in December 2011 after a highly successful four-year stint at the University of Houston. He compiled a 35-17 record at the helm of the Cougars and led the program to a school record 13 wins in 2011. In his time as an assistant at A&M, Sumlin coached the wide receivers and took over the offensive play-calling in 2002.
The Bulldogs are a familiar opponent for Sumlin, whose Houston Cougars rallied for a 35-34 victory over Louisiana Tech in Ruston, La., last season. The Cougars trailed 34-7 with five minutes remaining in the third quarter, but scored the game's final 28 points for the victory.
AGGIES-BULLDOGS SERIES HISTORY
- Texas A&M has a 9-0-0 record in the series against Louisiana Tech, although A&M vacated a 28-7 victory over the Bulldogs in 1998 because of the use of an ineligible player.
- The two teams have faced off once previously in Shreveport with the Aggies winning a 37-17 game in Independence Stadium in 1999.
- In the most recent contest between the schools, the Aggies posted a 48-16 victory at Kyle Field in 2010.
NEW FACES SET TO DEBUT IN SHREVEPORT
Texas A&M's depth chart for the Aggies' 2012 season-opener against Louisiana Tech is brimming with first-year players ready to make their maroon and white debuts. The two-deep chart features 17 that are new to the team or redshirted last season, including 10 true freshmen.
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Closer Look at the Depth Chart
OFFENSE (8): WR Mike Evans, WR Derel Walker, WR Sabian Holmes, WR Thomas Johnson, OL Germain Ifedi, OL Mike Matthews, OL Joseph Cheek, QB Johnny Manziel
DEFENSE (6): DL Julien Obioha, DE Tyrone Taylor, LB Michael Richardson, DB De'Vante Harris, DB Tremaine Jacobs, DB Johntel Franklin
SPECIALISTS (3): PK Taylor Bertolet, PK Davis Plowman, KOR Trey Williams
FRESHMAN MANZIEL SET TO MAKE HISTORIC START
Redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel (pronounced MAN-zell as in “yell”) won the Aggies' starting quarterback job in August camp and is set to become the first freshman QB to start an A&M season-opener since 1944. The Aggies have not had a freshman QB starter in the season-opener since freshmen became eligible in 1972, but used freshman signal-callers during World War II.
According to The Associated Press story that ran in the Sept. 24 edition of The Dallas Morning News, freshman Jimmie Cashion of College Station started at quarterback and helped the Aggies overcome seven fumbles on the way a 39-0 win over the Bryan Army Airfield Ducks. The AP said of Cashion: “Born on the Aggie campus and an unofficial member of the Aggies all his life, Cashion looked exceptionally good at quarterback and his passing left nothing to be desired.” The Aggies also used a freshman QB in 1943 when James Hallmark helped the famed “Kiddie Corps” to a berth in the Orange Bowl against LSU.
Manziel, a record-setting schoolboy QB at Kerrville Tivy High School, was an early enrollee to A&M and joined the Aggies in January 2011 and went through spring drills that year. He also earned a spot on A&M's travel roster while redshirting last year.
FRESHMAN QB STARTERS SINCE 1972
Texas A&M has had 11 quarterbacks start games as freshman (none in the season-opener) since freshmen became eligible in 1972.
FRESHMAN QB YEAR GAME RESULT David Walker 1973 6th W, 35-16 at TCU Mike Mosley 1977 9th W, 52-23 at TCU Gary Kubiak 1979 3rd *W, 27-14 at Penn State Kevin Murray 1983 5th W, 30-7 vs. Houston Craig Stump 1984 4th L, 30-12 vs. Texas Tech Lance Pavlas 1987 3rd W, 27-14 at Southern Miss (@Jackson, MIss.) Bucky Richardson 1987 6th W, 34-10 at Baylor Jeff Granger 1991 2nd L, 35-34 at Tulsa Corey Pullig 1992 9th W, 40-18 vs. Louisville Reggie McNeal 2002 11th L, 33-27 (2OT) vs. Missouri Stephen McGee 2005 11th L, 40-29 vs. Texas *Kubiak left the game after injuring his elbow on the first play of the game.
RECORD-SETTING OFFENSE MEETS KEVIN SUMLIN
The 2011 edition of the Texas A&M offense demolished its season records for passing, total and scoring. The 2012 edition, which returns eight starters from 2011, is now directed by first-year Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin, whose University of Houston offenses have been dominating the NCAA statistical rankings the past four seasons. Sumlin's Cougars led the NCAA FBS in total, passing and scoring offense in two of his four seasons, and ranked in the top five of the three categories nine times (of a possible 12).
Record-Setting 2011 Aggie OffenseCATEGORY 2011 OLD RECORD, YEAR Passing Offense 291.1 281.6, 2009 Total Offense 490.2 471.1, 1990 Scoring Offense 39.1 36.7, 1993Sumlin's High-Flying Offenses at UH
PASSING TOTAL SCORING 2008 #2 (401.6) #2 (562.8) #10 (40.6) 2009 #1 (433.7) #1 (563.4) #1 (42.2) 2010 #5 (327.3) #11 (480.5) #13 (37.8) 2011 #1 (450.1) #1 (599.1) #1 (49.3)
BIG CROWDS AT KYLE FIELD
Texas A&M enters SEC play with an eight-game streak of sellouts at Kyle Field, which is a school record. A&M's sellout streak dated back to the 2010 Nebraska game, which set the Kyle Field record with an attendence of 90,079. Kyle Field was filled to 105.0 percent capacity in 2011 and the average attendance of 87,183 broke the previous high by over 4,000 fans per game.
2011 NCAA Attendance LeadersRK. SCHOOL STADIUM AVERAGE 1. Michigan Michigan 112,179 2. Ohio State Ohio 105,231 3. Alabama Bryant-Denny 101,821 4. Penn State Beaver 101,427 5. Texas Royal-Memorial 100,524 6. Tennessee Neyland 94,642 7. LSU Tiger 92,868 8. Georgia Sanford 92,613 9. Florida Florida Field 89,061 10. TEXAS A&M Kyle Field 87,183
SWOPE SETS SIGHTS ON RECEIVING RECORDS
After breaking A&M's single season receptions record in back-to-back seasons, senior wide receiver RYAN SWOPE enters 2012 in range of most of the career receiving standard in the Aggies' record book. For his career, Swope has 180 catches for 2,204 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is within 53 catches and 888 yards of his receiving counterpart the past three years JEFF FULLER, who grabbed 233 receptions for 3,092 yards and 34 touchdowns from 2008-11.
As a sophomore in 2010, Swope (along with Fuller) broke A&M's long-standing school record for catches in a season with 72 (old record of 65 by ROD BERNSTINE in 1986). Swope improved the school record of 89 catches as a junior and added the season receiving yards record to his resumé with 1,207 yards.
Swope posted a school record with six 100-yard receiving games last season, and has nine for his career. He set another school record with four touchdown receptions against Baylor in 2011. His 206 receiving yards (on 11 catches) against the Bears was the fifth 200-yard game in A&M history.
Career Receptions PLAYER REC. YEARS Jeff Fuller 233 2008-11 RYAN SWOPE 180 2009- Terrence Murphy 172 2001-04 UZOMA NWACHUKWU 126 2009- Bethel Johnson 117 1999-02 Career Receiving Yards PLAYER YARDS YEARS Jeff Fuller 3,092 2008-11 Terrence Murphy 2,600 2001-04 RYAN SWOPE 2,204 2009- UZOMA NWACHUKWU 1,754 2009- Bethel Johnson 1,740 1999-02 Career Touchdowns PLAYER TDs YEARS Jeff Fuller 34 2008-11 Bob Long 19 1966-68 RYAN SWOPE 16 2009- Tony Harrison 14 1990-93 Albert Connell 13 1995-96
PASS-RUSHERS ON THE PROWL
The Aggies posted a NCAA FBS-best 51 quarterback sacks (3.92 per game) in 2011, and the top two pass rushers are back for the Aggies' first season in the Southeastern Conference. Senior SEAN PORTER, a first-team All-Big 12 pick by the Associated Press, ranked No. 16 nationally with .73 sacks per game (9.5 total), while junior DAMONTRE MOORE ranked No. 21 with .71 per game (8.5). Texas A&M is the only team in the nation with two returning players that ranked in the top 25 in QB sacks last year.
PROTECTING THE PASSER
Texas A&M was one of the nation's best at protecting the passer last season with just nine take-downs of future NFL first-round pick Ryan Tannehill in 13 games, which ranked No. 4 in the NCAA FBS. Four of the five members of the Aggies' 2011 offensive front return in 2012, including All-America candidate bookend tackles LUKE JOECKEL and JAKE MATTHEWS and veteran center PATRICK LEWIS (team-high 35 starts).
Despite attempting an average of over 41 passes per game last season, the Aggie offensive front was flagged for holding just twice and haven't been called for holding since the second game of 2011.
HARRIS TO THE HOUSE
Two the nation's most dangerous punt returners in 2011 resided in the SEC with Joe Adams of Arkansas and Tyrann Mathieu of LSU, but the NCAA leader was in College Station. Senior DUSTIN HARRIS was the NCAA statistical champ with an average of 18.6 yards on 18 punt returns with one touchdown. Harris also set a school record for single game punt return yards when he gained 162 yards on three tries against Kansas, including a 72-yard TD burst.
2011 NCAA Punt Return Leaders 1 DUSTIN HARRIS, TEXAS A&M 18.6 2 Joe Adams, Arkansas 16.9 3 Jared Abbrederis, Wisconsin 15.8 4 Tyrann Mathieu, LSU 15.6 5 Devon Wylie, Fresno State 15.4 A&M Season Punt Return Average 1 DUSTIN HARRIS, 2011 18.6 2 Aaron Glenn, 1993 19.9 3 Yale Lary, 1951 16.2 4 Carl Roaches, 1972 15.1 5 Kevin Smith, 1991 14.5 A&M Game Punt Return Yards 1 DUSTIN HARRIS 162 vs. Kansas, 2011 2 Aaron Glenn 131 vs. Mizzou, 1993 3 Rod Harris 123 vs. La. Tech, 1987 4 Billy Mitchell 116 at Houston, 1994 5 Rod Harris 108 vs. Arkansas, 1987
AGGIES ON THE WATCH LISTS
- Doak Walker Award (Best Running Back): Christine Michael, RB, Beaumont, Texas
- Maxwell Award (Most Outstanding Player): Christine Michael, RB, Beaumont, Texas
- Bednarik Award (Top Defensive Player): Sean Porter, LB, Schertz, Texas
- Rimington Trophy (Most Outstanding Center): Patrick Lewis, C, Reserve, La.
- Outland Award (Best Interior Lineman): Luke Joeckel, OT, Arlington, Texas / Jake Matthews, OT, Missouri City, Texas
- Nagurski Trophy (Best Defensive Player): Sean Porter, LB, Schertz, Texas
- Butkus Award (Best Linebacker): Sean Porter, LB, Schertz, Texas / Damontre Moore, DE, Rowlett, Texas
- Rotary Lombardi Award (Best Lineman or Linebacker): Sean Porter, LB, Schertz, Texas / Luke Joeckel, OT, Arlington, Texas / Jake Matthews, OT, Missouri City, Texas
- Biletnikoff Award (Best Receiver): Uzoma Nwachukwu, WR, Allen, Texas / Ryan Swope, WR, Austin, Texas
- Paul Hornung Award (Most Versatile Player): Dustin Harris, DB/RS, Livingston, Texas
- Ted Hendricks Award (Premier Defensive End): Damontre Moore, Rush DE, Rowlett, Texas
ABOUT SUMLIN'S A&M DEBUT
2008 Mike Sherman vs. Arkansas State L, 18-14 College Station 2003 Dennis Franchione vs. Arkansas State W, 26-11 College Station 1989 R.C. Slocum vs. LSU W, 28-16 College Station 1982 Jackie Sherrill vs. Boston College L, 38-16 College Station 1978 Tom Wilson vs. Rice W, 38-21 College Station 1972 Emory Bellard vs. Wichita State W, 36-13 College Station 1965 Gene Stallings at LSU L, 10-0 Baton Rouge, La.
A&M IN SEASON OPENERS
- The Aggies have won their last three season-openers, and are 7-3 in their last 10 season lid-lifters.
- First-year Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin was a perfect 4-0 in season-openers at Houston, and his teams scored 38 or more points in all four wins.
- In season-openers away from Kyle Field, the Aggies have lost three straight contests (to Clemson in 2005, Utah in 2004 and Notre Dame in 2000). A&M's last season-opening win away from Kyle Field was the 37-17 win over Lousiana Tech at Independence Stadium in 1999.
TEAM CAPTAINS, LEADERSHIP COUNCIL SELECTED
- Team captains, selected by player voting, are seniors LB Sean Porter, DB Steven Terrell, OL Patrick Lewis and WR Ryan Swope.
- Leadership Council, also selected by player vote, is comprised of SENIORS: LB Sean Porter, TE Michael Lamothe; JUNIORS: OL Jake Matthews, OL Luke Joeckel; SOPHOMORES: QB Jameill Showers, RB Brandon Williams; FRESHMEN: QB Johnny Manziel, WR Mike Evans.
WILLIAMS WAIVER DENIED
The waiver application submitted by Texas A&M on behalf of sophomore running back Brandon Williams, who transferred to Texas A&M from Oklahoma, was denied by the NCAA on . The initial appeal was submitted and denied by the NCAA staff. Texas A&M appealed the staff decision on August 7 and the subcommittee for legislative relief denied the appeal on August 22. “We appreciate the NCAA's consideration of our appeal in the case of Brandon Williams,” Aggie head coach Kevin Sumlin said. “We knew this was a possibility and Brandon will continue to work out with our team and help our team get better. We look forward to him playing in maroon and white in 2013.”
FOR YOUR INFORMATION
- In addition to breaking in a new quarterback, the Aggies will be using a placekicker not named RANDY BULLOCK for the first time since 2008. The 2011 All-American and Lou Groza Placekicker Award winner has attempted A&M's last 80 field goals since winning the job early in his freshman season.
- Senior DT JONATHAN MATHIS and senior RB CHRISTINE MICHAEL will be seeing his first live action since their 2011 seasons were cut short by injuries. Mathis started the first three games at DE in 2011, while Michael went down in game nine.
- Sophomore BEN COMPTON will be making his offensive line debut after doing a solid job on the defensive front last season. Recruited as an OL, Compton lined up at NG in 2011 due to depth concerns.
- Projected OL starters have a combined 92 career starts. Leading the way is senior C PATRICK LEWIS with 35, followed by OT LUKE JOECKEL (26), OT JAKE MATTHEWS (20), OG CEDRICK OGBUEHI (6) and OG JARVIS HARRISON (5). Backup SHEP KLINKE also has three starts under his belt. Lewis, a Rimington Trophy watch lister, reports that the group calls themselves the MAROON GOONS.
- Senior linebacker SEAN PORTER enters the Louisiana Tech game just five tackles short of 200 career tackles, making him the No. 2 active tackles in the SEC behind DARREN BATES of Auburn (222 tackles)
- The Aggies have three players among the SEC's career active statistical leaders: senior RB CHRISTINE MICHAEL with 2,374 rushing yards, senior WR RYAN SWOPE with 180 catches for 2,204 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns; and senior return specialist DUSTIN HARRIS with 553 punt return yards.
- Texas A&M and LSU are the only team in the SEC without a QB on the roster with at least one previous start.
- Texas A&M will start the season on a winning streak for the first time since 2002. The Aggies beat Northwestern 33-22 in the 2011 Meinecke Car Care Bowl of Texas.
- The only Texas A&M QB to throw for 300-plus yards in a season-opener is JERROD JOHNSON, who did it twice. He threw for 349 against New Mexico in 2009 and 322 against Stephen F. Austin in 2010. The SEC record for passing yards in a season opener is 498 by Kentucky's TIM COUCH against Louisville in 1988.
- A&M's rushing record for a season-opener is 229 by LEELAND MCELROY against LSU in 1995. The SEC record is 290 yards by BO JACKSON in Auburn's 1985 lidlifter against Louisiana-Lafayette.
- There will be several familiar faces on the Louisiana Tech side of the field, which features a pair of former A&M staffers in MARK TOMMERDAHL and STAN EGGEN, who served under DENNIS FRANCHIONE from 2003-07. Also of note on the LT sideline will be Bulldog assistant coach PETE PEROT, who is the father of former A&M TE JOEY PEROT.
PRO DADS
The 2012 Texas A&M football roster has a trio of players with fathers who were accomplished professionals in the NFL or NBA.
- BRUCE MATTHEWS / SONS JAKE AND MIKE: The father of Aggie offensive linemen Jake and Mike Matthews, Bruce, was a perennial All-Pro offensive lineman for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007. The elder Matthews currently coaches Jake and Mike's older brother, Kevin, with the Tennessee Titans. Kevin Matthews was the Aggies' starter at center in 2008 and 2009.
- ED NEALY / SON SPENCER: Senior defensive lineman Spencer Nealy's dad, Ed, was an All-Big Eight forward at Kansas State and played 10 seasons in the NBA, including with the 1992-93 Chicago Bulls that won the NBA title.
- ROD HARRIS / DE'VANTE HARRIS: True freshman cornerback De'Vante Harris' father, Rod, was an accomplished return specialist for three NFL teams and compiled over 150 punt and kickoff returns during his pro career.
- LOUIS CHEEK / JOSEPH CHEEK: Redshirt freshman lineman Joseph Cheek's dad, Louis, saw action in 49 games in four seasons in the NFL.
AGGIE LEGACIES
The 2012 Texas A&M football roster has several players whose father were Aggie lettermen:
- WR Rod Harris 1985-88 / CB De'Vante Harris, Fr-HS
- OT Louis Cheek 1984-87 / OT Joseph Cheek, Fr-RS
- DB Lynn Honeycutt 1978-79 / DB Clay Honeycutt, So-1L
- QB Craig Stump 1984-87 / QB Joshua Stump, Fr-HS
- QB Mark McQueen 1981-82 / QB Conner McQueen, Fr-HS
AGGIE TWINS
The 2012 Texas A&M football roster has a pair of twins on it:
- OT Luke Joeckel / QB Matt Joeckel
- LB Tyrell Taylor / LB Tyrone Taylor