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- Calling the game for Fox Sports Net will be Bob Rathbun (play-by-play), former Kentucky quarterback Tim Couch (analyst) and Elizabeth Moreau (sideline).
- It is the first meeting between between Texas A&M and South Carolina State.
- Texas A&M will be seeking its 10th straight sellout game at Kyle Field. The nine-game streak of sellouts is already a school record, and dates back to the 2010 Nebraska game.
Manziel Named SEC Freshman of the Week
The electrifying performance by Johnny Manziel in the Aggies' 48-3 victory over SMU was rewarded with SEC Freshman of the Week honors on Monday. Manziel, a redshirt freshman from Kerrville Tivy HS, broke or matched multiple Texas A&M freshman records, including passing yards (294), passing touchdowns (4) and total offense (418). He also became the first Aggie QB to rush for more than 100 yards in a game since Stephen McGee rushed for 167 against Nebraska in 2007, and his 124 rushing yards were the second-most ever by a freshman QB. For the game, Manziel completed 20-of-36 passes for 294 yards and four touchdowns with no interceptions. He also rushed for 124 yards on 13 carries, which pushed his total offense to 418 yards. He had TD runs of 48 and 15 yards, and he connected on aerials TDs of 29 yards, 26 yards, 42 yards and 12 yards.
A&M-arkansas game time set for 11:21 a.m.
Kickoff for the Texas A&M-Arkansas game at Kyle Field on Sept. 29 has been set for 11:21 a.m. and will be televised on the SEC Network.
trends and notables
- Texas A&M became the third team to hold a June Jones-coached offense without a touchdown in last Saturday's 48-3 Aggie win over SMU. In 172 games over 14 seasons, the three teams to keep Jones' offense out of the endzone are Boise State (2004), Southern Miss (2011) and A&M.
- It also marked the first time that the Aggie defense has held an opponent without a touchdown since A&M's 9-6 victory over No. 9 Nebraska in 2010.
- Texas A&M's 48-point outburst on Saturday was the most points the Aggies have ever scored against SMU away from Kyle Field. The 48 points were the fifth-most scored by the Aggies against SMU at any venue.
- Texas A&M has three individual SEC statistical leaders: QB Johnny Manziel (total offense, 325.5/G), DE Damontre Moore (QB sacks, 2.5/G) and P Ryan Epperson (punting, 47.5 avg.).
- In the SEC team statistics, the Aggies lead in net punting (47.2), sacks (6.0/G) and 3rd down conversion defense (20.0 percent).
- Quarterback Johnny Manziel has completed 14-of-15 pass attempts on third downs in 2012 with 10 first downs and three touchdowns.
- Proving that playmakers come in all sizes, the team leader in 20-yard plus plays isn't the 2011 "big play" leader Ryan Swope or 2011 NCAA punt return statistical champ Dustin Harris or dual-threat QB Johnny Manziel. Leading the way after two games is 6-foot-5, 218-pound redshirt freshman WR Mike Evans, who paces the team with three.
- Senior WR Ryan Swope is 10 catches away from 200 career catches. Coming into 2012, only five SEC receivers had ever hit the 200-catch level.
- With his 29-yard TD catch against SMU, Swope became the third Aggie receiver to eclipse the 100-point level in career points (the other two are Jeff Fuller and Bob Long). With 17 receiving TDs to his credit, Swope has scored 102 career points.
- Senior RB Christine Michael is 86 yards from becoming the 13th Aggies to hit the 3,000-yard level in career all-purpose yards.
- Junior DE Damontre Moore is one sack shy of 20 career QB sacks, which would put him in the top 12 on the Aggies' illustrious career sacks list. He also has seven career forced fumbles in just 27 career games, and he's chasing the school record of 12 set by Jacob Green (1977-79).
- With the victory over SMU, head coach Kevin Sumlin has won seven straight road games.
- The Aggies have been led statistically in rushing, passing, catches and receiving yards, all-purpose yardage and kickoff return yards by freshmen in the first two games of 2012.
- Sophomore linebacker Justin Bass (Plano East HS) has been the Aggies' 12th Man in both games this season. His older brother, Ben, was a 2011 senior for the Aggies, and is currently on the Dallas Cowboys practice squad.
- Senior running back Christine Michael and senior safety Steven Campbell were suspended for the SMU game because of violations of team rules.
Aggies in the NCAA, SEC Statistical Rankings
Team
Category___________ NCAA___ SEC__ Avg./G
Rushing Offense_______ 52_____ 8___ 179.5
Passing Offense________ 26_____ 4___ 290.0
Total Offense__________ 34_____ 5___ 469.5
Scoring Offense________ 53_____ 9____ 32.5
Rushing Defense_______ 41_____ 6___ 124.0
Pass Efficiency Defense_ 18_____ 4___ 99.91
Total Defense_________ 28_____ 5___ 308.0
Scoring Defense_______ 14_____ 4____ 11.5
Net Punting____________ 3_____ 1___ 47.18
Punt Returns__________ 39_____ 3___ 12.63
Kickoff Returns________ 97____ 12____ 17.6
Turnover Margin_______ 46_____ 7_____ 0.5
Pass Defense__________ 30_____ 4___ 184.0
Passing Efficiency______ 38_____ 9__ 149.87
Sacks___________________ 1_____ 1_____ 6.0
Tackles For Loss________ 18_____ 3_____ 8.0
Sacks Allowed_________ 90_____ 9_____ 2.5
Individual
Category Player____________ NCAA____ SEC_ Avg./G
Rushing Johnny Manziel____ T-39____ T-4___ 92.0
Passing Eff. Johnny Manziel______ 45______ 9 144.59
Total Offense Johnny Manziel______ 14______ 1__ 325.5
Receptions/G Mike Evans_________ T-33______ 3____ 6.5
Ryan Swope________ T-82____ 11____ 5.0
Rec. Yards/G Mike Evans__________ 26______ 4___ 91.5
Interceptions Uzoma Nwachukwu_ T-40______ 6____ 0.5
Punting Ryan Epperson________ 3______ 1__ 47.45
Punt Returns Dustin Harris________ 37______ 5__ 10.12
KO Returns Trey Williams________ 87____ 11___ 17.6
Field Goals Taylor Bertolet_____ T-85____ 10____ 0.5
Scoring Johnny Manziel____ T-44____ T-6____ 9.0
All-Purpose Trey Williams_________ --____ 14___ 96.0
Johnny Manziel_______ --____ 16___ 92.0
Mike Evans___________ --____ 17___ 91.5
Sacks Damontre Moore_____ 1______ 1____ 2.5
Spencer Nealy_____ T-18____ T-2____ 1.0
Tackles Jonathan Stewart___ T-15____ T-2___ 11.0
Damontre Moore___ T-95___ T-12____ 8.0
Steven Jenkins________ --____ 24____ 6.5
TFLs Damontre Moore____ T-6______ 1____ 2.5
Spencer Nealy_____ T-74______ 7___ 1.25
freshman leaders
The impact made by the Aggies' freshman class is undeniable. Through two games, the game high totals for passing, rushing, total offense, catches, receiving yards, kickoff return yards and all-purpose yards have be posted by true or redshirt freshmen.
Freshman Statistical Leaders Through Two Games
Category vs. Florida vs. SMU
Passing Johnny Manziel (173) Johnny Manziel (294)
Rushing Johnny Manziel (60) Johnny Manziel (124)
Total Offense Johnny Manziel (233) Johnny Manziel (418)
Receptions Mike Evans (7) Mike Evans (6)
Receiving Yards Mike Evans (60) Mike Evans (123)
KO Return Yards Trey Williams (58) Trey Williams (30)
All-Purpose Yards Trey Williams (104) Johnny Manziel (124)
Tackles -- De'Vante Harris (7)
NEW FACES in New places
Texas A&M's depth chart is brimming with first-year players. The two-deep chart features 16 that are new to the team or redshirted last season, including 10 true freshmen.
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, LB Michael Richardson, DB De'Vante Harris, DB Tramain Jacobs, DB Johntel Franklin
Specialists (3): PK Taylor Bertolet, PK Davis Plowman, KOR Trey Williams
sack attack is back
A season after leading the nation in quarterback sacks, the Texas A&M defensive crew seems intent on proving it wasn't a fluke with 12.0 sacks after two games. The Aggies find themselves at the top of the NCAA statistical ranking after racking up eight sacks in the season-opener vs. Florida and four more against SMU. Last season the Aggies generated 51 sacks (3.9 per game).
2012 NCAA Team QB Sack Leaders
Rk. School QBS/G
1. Texas A&M..................... 6.0
2. Tulsa.............................. 5.7
3. Connecticut.................... 4.7
4. Buffalo........................... 4.5
5. BYU................................ 4.3
Moore leads the sack attack
Building on last season's strong play down the stretch, junior defensive end Damontre Moore has posted five sacks in two games and stands atop the NCAA statistics for QB sacks. Moore is flourishing in his new role at defensive end after spending his first two years at outside linebacker.
After his three-sack performance against Florida, Moore earned SEC Co-Defensive Lineman of the Week honors. He earned honorable mention National Defensive Lineman of the Week honor after the SMU game when he produced six tackles, including four solo hits, two sacks, two QB hurries and a pass breakup.
Last season, Moore ranked No. 21 nationally with 8.5 quarterback sacks, with six of those sacks coming in the final four games of the season. Down the stretch last year, Moore posted two sacks against Kansas State and Kansas and single sacks against Texas and Northwestern. His three sacks against Florida were a career high and were the most by an Aggie since Tony Jerod-Eddie had three against SMU in last year's season-opener.
For his career, Moore has compiled 19 QBs or 0.7 sacks per game, which puts him in a tie for No. 2 on the NCAA active career sacks leaders list.
2012 NCAA Individual QB Sack Leaders
Rk. Player, School________________ QBS/G
1. Damontre Moore, Texas A&M______ 2.5
2. Bjoern Werner, Florida State________ 2.2
t3. Stephon Tuitt, Notre Dame_________ 1.7
Travis Johnson, San Jose State_______ 1.7
t5. three players_____________________ 1.5
NCAA Active Career QB Sacks/G Leaders
Rk. Player, School________________ QBS/G
1. Jarvis Jones, Georgia______________ 1.1
t2. Damontre Moore, Texas A&M______ 0.7
Jadeveon Clowney, South Carolina____ 0.7
4. Eight players_____________________ 0.6
dual threat manziel
Redshirt freshman Johnny Manziel needed just two games to put his name among college football's top dual threats at quarterback. Among quarterbacks averaging 70 or more rushing yards per game, Manziel ranks No. 2 in passing yards per game just behind Nevada's Cody Fajardo and ahead of Michigan's Denard Robinson and Ohio State's Braxton Miller.
All of Manziel's tools were on display last week against SMU as he torched the Mustang defense for 418 total yards, including 294 passing and 124 rushing. The record-setting performance included A&M freshman records for total offense, passing yards and passing touchdowns (4), and earned him SEC Freshman of the Week honors.
2012 NCAA Passing Yards Leaders
(Among QBs Averaging at least 70.0 rushing/G)
Rk. Player, School_________________ Rush/G_____ Pass/G
1. Cody Fajardo, Nevada_____________ 116.3______ 246.0
2. Johnny Manziel, Texas A&M_______ 92.0_______ 233.5
3. Denard Robinson, Michigan________ 117.0______ 233.0
3. Braxton Miller, Ohio State_________ 125.7______ 203.7
5. Jordan Lynch, North Illinois_________ 101.3______ 203.3
monster in the middle
Senior linebacker Jonathan Stewart has been all over the field with the 6-foot-4, 244-pounder ranking in a tie for No. 2 in the SEC with an average of 11.0 tackles in his first two games. Last year's team leader in tackles with 98, Stewart opened the season with a career high 17 tackles against Florida.
2012 SEC Individual Tackles Leaders
Rk. Player, School________________ Tackles/G
1. Daren Bates, Auburn______________ 12.7
t2. Jonathan stewart, Texas A&M_____ 11.0
Avery Williamson, Kentucky________ 11.0
4. Jermaine Whitehead, Auburn_______ 10.3
5. Demetruce McNeal, Auburn___________ 9.7
net gain for epperson
Incumbent starter Ryan Epperson, who fought off a strong challenge from sophomore Drew Kaser to win the 2012 punting job, has opened the 2012 season with a pair of eye-opening performances. He is averaging 47.5 on 11 boots in two games, and ranks No. 1 in the SEC and No. 3 in the NCAA.
He averaged a career-high 49.8 on six punts vs. Florida and followed with a 44.6 average on five boots against SMU. Four of his 11 punts have been downed inside the opponent 20 yard line with no touchbacks, and only two of his punts have been returned.
The Aggies' season net punt average stands at 47.2 and ranked No. 3 nationally after two games. Last year, the Aggies were No. 94 nationally with a 35.0 net punt average.
2012 NCAA Individual Punting Leaders
Rk. Player, School_____________ Avg.
1. Sean Sellwood, Utah__________ 52.6
2. Ryan Epperson, Texas A&M____ 49.8
3. Will Hagerup, Michigan_______ 49.8
4. Richie Leone, Houston_________ 49.0
5. Hunter Mullins, UAB__________ 48.8
2012 NCAA Team Net Punting Leaders
Rk. School___________________ net Avg.
1. Texas______________________ 49.4
2. Air Force___________________ 47.8
3. Texas A&M_________________ 47.2
4. Memphis___________________ 45.6
5. LSU_______________________ 43.3
Big Crowds at Kyle Field
The season-opening record crowd of 87,114 stretched A&M's school record streak of sellouts to nine games. 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.
Kyle Field's Biggest Crowds
RK Crowd Opponent (Year) Result
1. 90,079 No. 8 Nebraska (2010) W, 9-6
2. 88,645 No. 25 Texas (2011) L, 27-25
3. 88,253 No. 12 Texas (2007) W, 38-30
4. 87,555 No. 5 Texas (2001) L, 21-7
5. 87,361 Baylor (2011) W, 55-26
6. 87,358 No. 6 Oklahoma State (2011) L, 30-29
7. 87,206 Notre Dame (2001) W, 24-3
8. 87,188 No. 1 Oklahoma (2000) L, 35-31
9. 87,224 No. 24 Florida (2012) L, 20-17
10. 86,951 SMU (2011) W, 46-14
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 is within range of most of the career receiving standard in the Aggies' record book.
- For his career, Swope has 190 catches for 2,290 yards and 17 touchdowns. He is within 43 catches and 802 yards of his receiving counterpart for the past three years, Jeff Fuller, who grabbed 233 receptions for 3,092 yards and 34 touchdowns from 2008-11.
- Swope posted a school record with six 100-yard receiving games last season, and has nine for his career (ties for school record with Fuller).
- 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.
- A second-team All-Big 12 pick last year, Swope is the SEC's leading active pass catcher in receptions, receiving yards and receiving TDs.
- Easily the team leader in offensive 20-yard plays last year with 16, including seven 20-yard plus TD plays.
- Was a running back at Austin Westlake High School, but lined up at WR from day one at Texas A&M.
- Aggies are 7-2 in Swope's 100-yard receiving games, and are 8-4 when he has 8 or more catches.
Career Receptions
Player Rec. Years
Jeff Fuller 233 2008-11
Ryan Swope 190 2009-
Terrence Murphy 172 2001-04
Uzoma Nwachukwu 128 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 2,290 2009-
Uzoma Nwachukwu 1,792 2009-
Bethel Johnson 1,740 1999-02
Career Touchdowns
Player TDs Years
Jeff Fuller 34 2008-11
Bob Long 19 1966-68
Ryan Swope 17 2009-
Tony Harrison 14 1990-93
Uzoma Nwachukwu 14 2009-
Harris to the House
Two of 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
Christine michael returns
- Christine Michael's first name is pronounced: CHRIS-tin, not Christian or chris-TEEN
- Michael's last two seasons have been cut short due to season-ending injuries. He broke his right leg in game 8 in 2010 (vs. Texas Tech) and tore his left ACL in game 9 in 2011 (vs. Oklahoma).
- Perhaps the team's hardest worker, Michael was far ahead of his projected rehabilitation schedule. During spring drills, new head coach Kevin Sumlin had to monitor Michael to make sure he wasn't doing too much. At the time Sumlin said: "I had to tell him to go sit down, and I look back up and he's back in there. I'm going to have to have a meeting with him, but a good meeting. He wants to play."
- Despite missing nine games the past two seasons due to season-ending injuries, Michael is the SEC's leading active rusher with 2,407 career yards.
- Has nine career 100-yard plus rushing games, including four in nine games last season. Aggies are 7-2 in games when C-Mike rushes for 100-plus yards.
- His 2,407 career rushing yards rank No. 14 in school history.
- Was well on his way to his first 1,000-yard season in 2011 with 899 yards in nine games, including a monster 32-carry, 230-yard, three-TD effort against Arkansas.
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. 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."
Aggies in the NFL
Texas A&M had 18 former players on NFL Opening Day active rosters.
Aggies on NFL Opening Day active rosters
#85 Martellus Bennett, TE, New York Giants
#71 Michael Bennett, DL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#95 Rocky Bernard, DL, New York Giants
#79 Red Bryant, DL, Seattle Seahawks
#96 Ron Edwards, DL, Carolina Panthers
#25 Mike Goodson, RB, Oakland Raiders
#42 Cyrus Gray, RB, Kansas City Chiefs
#63 Geoff Hangartner, OL, Carolina Panthers
#96 Kellen Heard, DL, St. Louis Rams
#41 Jorvorskie Lane, FB, Miami Dolphins
#9 Shane Lechler, P, Oakland Raiders
#60 Kevin Matthews, OL, Tennessee Titans
#58 Von Miller, LB, Denver Broncos
#48 Don Muhlbach, DS, Detroit Lions
#32 Jordan Pugh, DB, Washington Redskins
#17 Ryan Tannehill, QB, Miami Dolphins
#74 Cody Wallace, OL, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
#94 *Ty Warren, DL, Denver Broncos
* -- Injured in season-opener, placed on Injured Reserve
Practice Squad
#79 Ben Bass, DL, Dallas Cowboys
#37 Terrence Frederick, DB, New York Giants
#83 Jeff Fuller, WR, Miami Dolphins
#63 Tony Jerod-Eddie, DL, San Francisco 49ers
#80 Jamie McCoy, TE, Pittsburgh Steelers
#77 Lucas Patterson, DL, Kansas City Chiefs
Injured Reserve:
#4 Randy Bullock, PK, Houston Texans
NFL Coaching Staffs:
Dennis Allen, Oakland Raiders (Head Coach)
Dan Campbell, Miami Dolphins (Tight Ends)
Kyle Caskey, Cincinnati Bengals (Offensive Quality Control)
Jerry Fontenot, Green Bay Packers (Tight Ends)
Johnny Holland, Oakland Raiders (Linebackers)
Gary Kubiak, Houston Texans (Head Coach)
Kirk Parrish, Seattle Seahawks (College Scouting Coordinator)
Shawn Slocum, Green Bay Packers (Special Teams Coordinator)
TEam captains, leadership council
- 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.
2012 STANDINGS
Eastern
Team All SEC
Florida............................ 3-0................ 2-0
Georgia.......................... 3-0................ 1-0
South Carolina................ 3-0................ 1-0
Kentucky......................... 1-2................ 0-0
Missouri......................... 2-1................ 0-1
Tennessee...................... 2-1................ 0-1
Vanderbilt...................... 1-2................ 0-1
Western
Team All SEC
Alabama......................... 3-0................ 1-0
Mississippi State............ 3-0................ 1-0
LSU................................. 3-0................ 0-0
Ole Miss......................... 2-1................ 0-0
Arkansas......................... 1-2................ 0-1
Texas A&M .................... 0-1................ 0-1
Auburn............................ 1-2................ 0-1
This Week's SEC Schedule
(All Times Central)
Sept. 22
Ole Miss at Tulane................................. 11:00 AM/FSN
Kentucky at Florida.............. 11:21 AM/SEC Network
Missouri at South Carolina...................... 2:30 PM/CBS
Florida Atlantic at Alabama................... 3:00 PM/PPV
Rutgers at Arkansas............................ 6:00 PM/ESPNU
LSU at Auburn.......................................... 6:00 PM/ESPN
South Alabama at Mississippi St......... 6:00 PM/TBD
S.C. State at Texas A&M........................ 6:00 PM/FSN
Akron at Tennessee.................................. 6:30 PM/CSS
Vanderbilt at Georgia 6:45 PM/ESPN2