Farmers Fights On... Farmers Fights On

Transcription

AgsIlllustrrated
d
AgsIllustra
ated
Volume 13, No. 15
November 9 2003
Farmers Fights On...
Aggies Look to Rebound Following 77-0 Setback
TABLE OF CONTENTS
FEATURES
OU Shuts out Aggies . .......................................................................4-11
by Scott Clendenin and Jason Lincoln
Football Photos .................................................................................12-13
Missouri Preview ............................................................................14-17
by Scott Clendenin
Aggie Recruiting........................ ..............................................................18
by Scott Clendenin
Women’s Basketball .... ......................................................................19-21
by Scott Clendenin
AgTimes.com Pages........... ................................................................22-23
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In our next issue . . .
Texas Preview
VOLUME 13,
NUMBER 15
November 9, 2003
EDITOR
Scott Clendenin
ASSOCIATE EDITOR
Angela Clendenin
CONTRIBUTING
WRITERS
Jason Lincoln, Ed Watson,
CONTRIBUTING
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Brice Clendenin
Texas A&M SID
J. P, Beato
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Page 2
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
AGGIE
INSIDER
Volleyball tops Oklahoma
No. 21 Texas A&M extended its winning
streak over Oklahoma to 22 matches with a 3017, 29-31, 30-18, 34-32 victory in front of 1,867
tonight at G. Rollie White Coliseum.
Melissa Munsch, who had seven kills in
seven attacks in the first game, led the Aggies
with 17 kills and only one error in the match.
She also posted team-highs with a .457 hitting
percentage and six blocks as A&M outhit the
Sooners, .266 to .131.
OU’s Christina Maynes and Joanna Schmitt
were relentless in the front row, posting 19 and
18 kills, respectively, to combine for 50 percent
of the Sooners’ total kills.
Munsch and the Aggies dominated the first
game, hitting .400 to OU’s .107 to cruise to a 3017 win. The Sooners, however, battled back and
won the second game, 31-29, snapping a 43game losing streak to the Aggies.
The Sooners held a 28-25 lead in the second
frame when A&M scored four unanswered
points to be serving for the game. Carol Price’s
serve into the net knotted the score at 29, and
back-to-back kills by Schmitt and Jennifer
Adams gave the Sooners their first game victory
over A&M since 1996, the first year of the Big 12
Conference.
A seven-point scoring run propelled A&M to
a 30-18 win in Game 4. The Aggies held a 12-8
lead when they went on the run, and the
Sooners were unable to get within 10 points for
the remainder of the game.
Game 4 was another battle to the end with
15 ties and seven lead changes throughout the
game. The Sooners held their biggest lead at 2117, but A&M managed to tie the score at 27 and
then took the lead at 28-27 following an OU
attack error. Schmitt tied the score with a kill
but then served into the net to give the Aggies a
one-point lead. Jennifer Mosso then put down a
kill following an errant A&M pass, and Jennifer
Adams had a solo block to put the Sooners
ahead, 30-29.
The teams exchanged points until, with the
score tied at 31, Munsch put down a kill to
regain the lead for the Aggies. Maynes tied the
score with a kill, and Munsch answered with
another kill to put A&M up, 33-32. The game
ended when Schmitt’s attack sailed wide.
A&M improves to 18-6 overall and 10-4 in
the Big 12. OU falls to 11-15, 3-11 and remains
winless in eight visits to College Station.
Women’s Basketball Wins
Toccara Williams scored a game-high 20
points as Texas A&M beat Texas A&MCommerce, 92-52, in exhibition women’s basketball Thursday at Reed Arena in front of 1,209.
Williams finished with 11 assists and tallied
six steals. She also paced the Aggies in shooting
with solid 7-of-10 effort from the field and was
6-of-10 from the free throw line.
The game marked the first action for both
teams this season. A&M-Commerce is a NCAA
Division II member.
The Aggies sprinted to a 10-0 lead with 17:38
to play in the opening half and extended it 28-10
with 6:07 to play. A&M led by as many as 24
points in the first half before holding a 22-point
advantage, 46-24, at halfime.
“I think the kids were so responsive and that
helped us get off to a quick start,” A&M coach
Gary Blair said. “And I thought our shot selection was good.”
Williams posted 10 points in the first half
along with six assists and four steals. As a team,
the Aggies managed a 42 percent shooting effort
from the field.
“In the second half, we were scoring off the
transition,” Blair said. “Our timing wasn’t there
and we have so far to go. We still have to learn
the offense. But, it’s going to come to us.”
In the second half, the Aggies continued
their consistent shooting and extended the lead
to as many as 43 points, 92-49, in the final
minute.
For the game, the Aggies shot 45 percent
from the field.
Six Aggies tallied double-digit scoring.
A&M sophomore Tamea Scales scored 13
points and 9 rebounds in her most extensive
action in the maroon and white. Five of her nine
rebounds were on the offensive end of the floor.
“Her strength is going to be offensive
rebounding,” Blair said. “She also has a good
shooting touch.”
Junior D’Nika Romero drained three long
range baskets as part of her 14 points for the
Aggies while senior Janae Derrick added 11
points and 7 rebounds. Senior Lynn Classen and
junior Charlette Castile each scored 11.
Ags Illustrated
Page 3
THE MAROON ROOM
As we all prepare for a great 2003 season, I wish to again
update you on the progress and a few more ideas for the
new AgTimes.com Maroon Room. The development
process is almost complete, so we’ll be shortly on-line, and
I’ll give you exact date after we complete all the checks to
ensure all systems are “go”.
First of all, for you recruiting mavens (which appear to be
all of you!), The Maroon Room will have weekly video
updates from our various contributors around the state, so
if you’d like to go on one of our Friday night AT scouting
missions in your area, just let us know.
In addition to our Friday night scouting reports, I’ll also
contribute my daily commentary and analysis to The
Maroon Room. We’ll cover Aggie program perspectives,
Big 12 and national recruiting, along with our overall outlook on college football during the 2003 season. Things
wouldn’t be complete if you couldn’t read me poking fun
at the Bloods, Titanic Ty or Phil Fulmer, and of course
your and my personal favorite, Mack Brown. Speaking of
which, our Dallas Cowboy, Jerry Jones and Houston Texan
observations will also add to the fracas. Obviously, recruiting will be the big key here as AT increases its access to
direct sources as important visits and decisions occur.
We’re pleased also to continue our work with Scott
Clendenin, as we reconsolidate “Ags Illustrated” this fall.
Scott and I will be writing weekly game and recruiting
features for our new magazine, which will become available on a real-time, Monday morning basis in The Maroon
Room.
If you’ve purchased “The Class of 2003” video from one of
our retailers in B/CS or Houston or if you picked it up at
one of the Coach’s Nights, please contact Cal or me to
ensure that your user name has been registered. You’ll
want to participate in The Maroon Room this fall on the
free-trial basis I explained in my last message.
If you wish to order "The Class of 2003" Recruit Highlights
Video to gain admission and join The Maroon Room community as it emerges, please click on the "Order it Now!
banner at the top of any page and complete the data fields
(including your USERNAME in special instructions). It
might take you a minute, and your order will be shipped
within 24 hours.
As we settle into The Maroon Room and the free-trial period becomes effective, I’ll provide you the menu of AT subscription products and services, which will include fresh
video clips of key recruits, recruiting insights, and scouting reports on primary Aggie targets. Texas A&M football
and other program reporting features will also be daily
fare, along with the internet “Ags Illustrated” magazine
delivery and TO’s and the AT Team’s daily stream of
sports consciousness.
When Aggie hoops and hardball roll around, Scott will
become the oracle of The Maroon Room, while TO can
always be counted on to rant about tempo and shot selection, followed by strike-zone discipline and pitching
depth. With Bill Byrne now on board, I suspect that both
these exciting programs are about to take a turn in a
decidedly northern direction, and we’ll be there to tell you
all about it!
Stay tuned for the imminent start date of The Maroon
Room, Team.
Ed Watson
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Game Report 2003
Sooner Shutout
Aggies destroyed by
nation’s top team
By Jason Lincoln
A&M entered Saturday’s game a 28point underdog to No. 1 Oklahoma.
An unfavorable margin that was the
highest in modern Aggie football history. Never mind that an A&M team
with most of the same players upset
the top-ranked Sooners in 2002.
Meanwhile, the Aggie players had
more to worry about than the spread,
preparing to try to avoid A&M’s first
losing season in over two decades.
Then there was Coach Dennis
Franchione and staff, billed as a turning point in Aggie football … for the
better.
But when 11:07 a.m. Saturday
morning arrived Oklahoma rolled
over A&M 77-0. A&M quickly made
the 28-point spread look like a mercy
gift, the losing season look like a
nearby reality, and the coaching staff
look befuddled and merciless against
the nation’s best team.
“It certainly was a tough day,”
Franchione said. “We ran into a great
football team. They played well and
we couldn’t get anything going.
That’s a bad combination. We just
didn’t have any answers today. They
deserved to be (ranked) where they
are.”
Reggie McNeal and the Aggie offense must improve
photos by Brice Clendenin
Ags Illustrated
Page 4
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Oklahoma of course had the memory of last year’s loss to the Aggies’
and the motivation of a scare by the
then-Franchione coached Alabama.
But all of that became distant history
as the Sooners handed A&M its worst
loss in school history.
“They were fast last year, and they
are fast this year. I guess they had a
year to learn how to play against us,”
A&M quarterback Reggie McNeal
said. “It’s nothing really magical. It’s
just any given day, and today they
knew how to beat us.”
The Sooners (10-0, 6-0 Big 12) scored
on its first two possessions, punted
once, and then rattled off eight
straight touchdown drives, racking
up 639 yards of offense with 33 first
downs.
“We still have great respect for
Texas A&M and understand they’re
going through some changes,” OU
coach Bob Stoops said. “We’re not sitting here thumping our chests at all.
That’s not our style and that’s not for
us to do. Our guys played a very
strong game and executed it and [I]
appreciate that as a coach.”
A&M (4-6, 2-4) finished with just 54
yards of total offense and three first
downs, with none in the second half,
while at the mercy of the Sooner
defense.
One of the few positives, just one
turnover was committed by the
Aggies, who have been turnover
prone in big games this season.
Granted the turnover, a fumble by
Courtney Lewis, was scooped up by
Derrick Strait and returned 17 yards
for OU’s 11th and final touchdown
with 1:58 remaining in the third quarter.
“This one hurts. It’s probably the
worst one of the year for me because
we did so well against them last year
and expected to play that well this
year,” A&M offensive lineman Alan
Reuber said. “We went out and
played hard, but we didn’t get anything done offensively and didn’t do
that well as a team. We played a great
that happen,” Franchione said. “They
did that today. Unless you make
some plays, they are going to be hard
to stop. No matter what we tried it
didn’t seem to work. You have to give
Oklahoma credit for that.”
Photos Brice Clendenin
The defensive line must step up during the season’s last two ballgames.
team today, they took advantage of
everything they got, and it turned out
big for them. We got a few yards, but
it just seemed like we didn’t get anything done offensively.”
If it hadn’t been for Stoops pulling
in the reigns in the fourth quarter,
100-points looked like it could be an
easy feat for the Sooners. Oklahoma
threw just three passes in the entire
second half, none coming in the final
period.
“If you watch them play, they can
really get on a roll and score quick
and certainly at home they can make
Ags Illustrated
Page 5
OU quarterback Jason White got off
to a red hot start and racked up
Heisman-like numbers while playing
just the first half. White completed
his first 15 passes, five for touchdowns, and finished 16-18 with 263
yards.
“He had a great day. He was on. He
didn’t miss a beat,” Franchione said.
He’s as good as any quarterback
we’ve seen this year. He is as premier
a player as any we’ve faced.
Most of White’s success came finding receiver Mark Clayton. Clayton
caught three touchdown passes of 40,
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
42 and 28 yards. He finished with
seven catches for 166 yards to lead
the OU receivers.
“Nobody in the country makes
more big plays than Mark Clayton,”
Stoops said.
Paul Thompson played under center in the third quarter and completed
two of three passes for 34 yards and
ran for 79 yards and two touchdowns.
In the absence of running back
Renaldo Works, the Sooners’ Donta
Hickson and Kejuan Jones each
“We went out and played hard,
but we didn’t get anything done
offensively and didn’t do that
well as a team. We played a
great team today.”
OL Alan Reuber
rushed 24 times for 131 and 120 yards
respectively. Hickson scored once and
Jones found the end zone twice.
“Kejuan and Donta both run hard
and since we’re without Renaldo they
knew they had to pick up the slack,
and they did,” Oklahoma offensive
tackle Jammal Brown said. “Both
went over 100 yards, breaking tackles
and finding holes.”
But not to worry, the records are
still coming in Aggieland. The loss
marked the second time this season
A&M has set a school record for
points allowed, the first time was giving up 59 to Texas Tech. It also shattered the previous largest losing margin of 48-0 against Texas. OU’s 639
yards were the most ever allowed,
second only to the Tech game earlier
this season.
“You don’t forget something like
this,” A&M safety Jaxson Appel said.
“This is what you remember when
it’s July 3 and it’s a 115 degrees out
there on the turf
when you’re running the extra
sprint. We have to
remember this feeling and never feel
like this again. They
executed well. They
didn’t make mistakes and threw the
ball where they
were supposed to
throw it, where we
couldn’t catch it.”
But the 54 yards of
offense were only
the lowest of modern Aggie football
history, records
show A&M had just
12 yards of offense
against TCU in 1930.
As for A&M’s
numbers during the
game – McNeal finished 4 of 13 with 32
yards passing, completing two passes
to Tim Van Zant and
one each to Earvin
Taylor and Terrence
Murphy. Derek
Farmer ran seven
times for 21 yards
and Courtney Lewis
had eight carries for
18 yards. McNeal
finished with a negative 18 yards on the
ground.
Ags Illustrated
Page 6
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Inside The Numbers
SCORE BY QUARTERS
1
14
0
Oklahoma
Texas A&M
2
35
0
3
28
0
4
0
0
Total
77
0
-
TEAM STATS
Texas
A&M
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
Oklahoma
First downs
Rushing
Passing
Penalty
Total Yards
Avg. gain per play
3
0
2
1
54
1.3
33
17
13
3
638
7.8
Rushes-yards
28-22
61-342
Passing yards
Sacked-yards lost
Passes C-A-I
Third Down Conversion
Punts/Avg.
Return Yards
Interceptions-Yards
Fumbles-lost
Penalties-yards
Time of possession
32
4-24
4-13-0
0-12
12-35.1
66
0-0
1-1
6-63
23:09
297
1-5
18-21-0
9-13
1-37
60
0-0
0-0
7-60
36:51
SCORING SUMMARY
FIRST QUARTER
OU - Clayton 40 yd pass from White (DiCarlo kick)
OU - Jones 6 yd run (DiCarlo kick)
SECOND QUARTER
OU - Rankins 7 yd pass from white (DiCarlo kick)
OU - Jones 7 yd run (DiCarlo kick)
OU - Wilson 12 yd pass from White (DiCarlo kick)
THIRD QUARTER
OU - Thompson 29 yd run (DiCarlo kick)
OU - Thompson 3 yd run (DiCarlo kick)
OU - Hickson 2 yd run (DiCarlo kick)
OU - Strait 17 yd fumble recovery (DiCarlo kick)
OKLAHOMA
TEXAS A&M
Player
Lewis, Courtney
Farmer, Derek
McNeal, Reggie
Joseph, Keith
Long, Dustin
RUSHING
Att
8
7
11
1
1
Yds
16
21
-18
4
-1
TD
0
0
0
0
0
Player
McNeal, Reggie
Long, Dustin
PASSING
A-C-I
Yds
13-4-0
32
1-0-0
0
TD
1
0
Player
Van Zant, Tim
Murphy, Terren.
Taylor, Earvin
RECEIVING
Rec
Yds
2
20
1
6
1
6
TD
0
0
0
Player
97 Jolly, Johnny
19 Appel, Jaxson
57 Stickane, Scott
31 Weston, Sean
41 McDaniel, Arch.
49 Manning, Nurah.
33 Jackson, Keelan
44 Thompson, TaTa
10 Warren, Justin
11 Jones, Byron
18 Bullitt, Melvin
95 Montgomery, M.
23 Jones, Ronald
99 Ross, David
88 Smith, Linnis
21 Leone, Brandon
35 Reed, Bryce
91 Jasmin, Marcus
83 Van Zant, Tim
59 Patrick, Brian
TACKLES
SOLO
8
6
5
8
6
5
5
5
3
5
5
3
4
2
1
1
1
.
1
1
AST.
5
4
4
.
1
2
2
1
3
.
.
2
.
2
3
2
1
2
.
.
TOTAL
13
10
9
8
7
7
7
6
6
5
5
5
4
4
4
3
2
2
1
1
Player
Hickson, Donta
Jones, Kejuan
Thompson, Paul
Townsend, Dan
White, Jason
TEAM
RUSHING
Att
Yds
24
131
24
120
6
79
4
10
2
3
1
-1
TD
1
2
2
0
0
0
Player
White, Jason
Thompson, Paul
PASSING
A-C-I Yds
18-16-0 263
3-2-0
34
TD
5
0
RECEIVING
Rec
Yds
TD
Player
Clayton, Mark
Rankins, Jejuan
Wilson, Travis
Runnels, J.D.
Bradley, Mark
Hickson, Donta
7
4
3
2
1
1
Player
48 Allen, Gayron
8 Nicholson, Dont
11 Lehman, Teddy
94 Dvoracek, Dusty
80 Cody, Dan
49 Jackson, Jonath
58 Thibodeaux, Cal
2 Strait, Derrick
23 Pool, Brodney
96 McGruder, Lynn
6 Carter, Jason
6A Baker, Lewis
97 Harris, Tommie
36 Dennison, Russe
TACKLES
SOLO AST.
3
3
2
3
1
3
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
.
2
1
.
1
.
THEY SAID IT
166
51
44
20
15
1
3
1
1
0
0
0
TOTAL
6
5
4
3
3
3
3
2
2
2
2
2
1
1
Notables and quotables
from the game
The 77 points scored by Oklahoma were the most ever season. The 77-point winning margin by the Sooners was the
allowed by the Aggies. The previous high scoring output by largest point differential in school history. The previous record
an A&M opponent was 59 points by Texas Tech earlier this was 48 points in a 48-0 loss to Texas in 1898.
Ags Illustrated
Page 7
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
QUESTIONS
4
Scott
Clendenin
answers
four key
questions
after the
game.
Oklahoma Game
Oklahoma is the best team ever (that
frame of reference is since the implemention of the 85 scholoarship limit). It used to
be the Nebraska team that dominated the
mid-eighies but they could not hold a candle to this team. Oklahoma dominated just
like expected and then surpassed those
expectations. Last week’s preview in Ags
Illustrated did not pull any punches and
neither will the review of this week’s game.
Oklahoma is more than capable of beating
any team in the country by four or five
TDs.
1
Will Jason White win the Heisman
Trophy this season?
White’s performance against A&M should
erase any of the doubts that crept into the
arguement last week after a performance
against Oklahoma State that may have hurt
him in the short term, but after this week all
doubts have been ereased. Playing pitch and
catch for a school record yardage and touchdown passes in the first half earned him a spot
on the sidelines in the second half, but it also
earned him plenty of face time on ABC. White
deserves it though because he has performed
remarkably on two reconstructed knees and
showed why the OU coaches have wanted
him on the field the past two years.
2
What happened to the Aggie offense
and how can they bounce back?
Oklahoma is what happened and the Aggies
will be lucky not see a defense this good again
this year and maybe not in the forseeable future
as well. The Sooners have now shut down
Okahoma State, Texas and Texas A&M offenses
that were all averaging over 400 yards per
game, with offensive weapons that will dot NFL
rosters in coming years. They fixed the problems that cost them the Aggie and Cowboy
game last year in the secondary, and when the
long pass play to start the game and the flea-
Photo by Brice Clendenin
Terrence Murphy has been a bright spot in returns this season.
flicker pass failed to be completed, the Aggie
offense was nearly helpless against OU.
3
Were their any bright spots for the
Aggies?
Even though it is not expected in Aggieland,
today’s college football scene is full of teams
that will quit when the chips are down, but this
team, even though it was overmatched, fought
until the final gun. They were outmanned and
overmatched this week but they fought for their
teammates and they fought for their new coaches. This test showed the coaches who is on
board with them, it showed them who they
want to go to battle in the future and if you did
not fight with everything you had this weekend
then you need to find somewhere else to play
Ags Illustrated
Page 8
because you are not a “Coach Fran” player.
4
After three great games with OU,
what happened since last year?
The gap widened between the Aggies and the
Sooners for the first time in the past three seasons because of who has left Aggieland and
who hasn’t left Norman. The past two years the
Sooner coaches wanted Jason White to be the
quarterback, but his knees did not allow that.
With the players that have graduated in
Aggieland, the defense was unable to keep up
with the players that have not left Norman.
White makes the young group of receivers look
like world beaters and when you add in a Mark
Clayton, who is playing as well as anyone not
named Fitzgerald, their offense is awesome.
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
✓
Aggies Report Card
QUARTERBACKS
F
Nothing worked for the Aggie
quaterbacks and only getting three
first downs in the first half was surpassed by futility in the second half
when the Aggies did not get one
single first down in the entire half.
Reggie McNeal missed a big play to
start the game and then was short
enough on a flea-flicker to allow the
defense to close enough ground to
break up the play. Those were really the Aggies’ only chance to cross
midfield and challenge OU.
SECONDARY
F
On a day when the Aggie defense
turned Jason White from a Heisman
trophy hopeful into the front runner with only games against Baylor
and Texas Tech remaining to
furthur his passing numbers. His
demolition of the Aggie secondary
featured WR Mark Clayton, who
joins the list of great receivers that
have had 100+ yard receiving
games against the Aggie secondary,
Larry Fitzgerald, Rashaun Woods
and Roy Williams to come.
RUNNING BACKS
by Scott Clendenin
D
Courtney Lewis and Derek Farmer
were swarmed over by the Sooner
defense all day long. When you play
a defense as fast as Oklahoma, you
expect the defense to have big plays,
but Lewis had shown the ability to
turn a small play into a big one this
year. OU’s sure tackling kept those
plays from developing. His fourth
quarter furmble led to another OU
score. Farmer led the Aggies in rushing and he continued to run hard at
the OU defnese all day.
LINEBACKERS
RECEIVERS
The Aggie receiving corps did not
test the fine secondary much with
McNeal’s ineffectiveness. Tim Van
Zant had a fine catch for a first
down, but the big plays to be had
were in Terrence Murphy’s hands
(or just out of reach) and both
ended with the ball on the ground.
Young Aggie receivers need to learn
from playing the nation’s best
defense and file it away for the
future. It may be a long time before
facings as talented a group again.
D
Aggie linebackers Scott Stickane,
Archie McDaniel and TaTa
Thompson made some tackles but
they did not force any action at the
line of scrimmage or in the Sooner
backfield. The Aggies’ inablity to
pressure the quarterback when the
Aggies did blitz left the secondary
free to wither and die against the
pinpoint passing that OU displayed
in the first half of the ballgame.
D
DEFENSIVE LINE
F
Blown off the ball by the
Oklahoma offnesive line, the Aggie
defensive front was moved off the
ball and those open holes led to
career days for both Renaldo Works
and Donte Hickson. When OU substituted for Jason White, Paul
Thompson added 76 yards rushing
as well. The Sooners dominated
this game because they owned the
line of scrimmage from the opening
kick until the final gun went off in
the 77-0 shellacking.
Ags Illustrated
Page 9
OFFENSIVE LINE
F
Unfortunately for the Aggies,
Tommie Harris had one of his better
games against the Aggie front, but
he was still overshadowed by Dan
Cody and Dusty Devorak. This
group handled the improved offensive line as well as anyone had this
season and they will have to bounce
back in a big way against Missouri
and Texas during the next two
games. The four sacks allowed and
the low offensive totals are a indication of how the LOS was OU’s.
SPECIAL TEAMS
C
Really the only unit to perform
close to expectation was the special
teams unit and they still did not do
anything spectacular. Facing the
best punt returner in college football, Jacob Young’s kicks were high
and limited his return opportunities
and return yards. On the negative
side, the only time that A&M started
outside the twenty following a kickoff came by way of penalty. OU
either kicked it through the endzone
or made good open-field tackles.
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Editorial
Tough Times Need Patience...
Rebuilding Aggie
Football has been
done before
by Scott Clendenin
The Honeymoon is now officially over in the
Coach Fran Era. The Newlywed Game gave
contestants one year to appear on the program
but Fran’s honeymoon has lasted from
December 6, 2002 to November 8, 2003, a total
of 337 days. It ended on a cold dreary day in
Norman, Oklahoma. The Aggies were totally
embarrassed by the best team in college football. The Oklahoma Sooners can beat anyone in
the country and they can embarrass top ten and
top 25 teams this season but for Aggie fans that
doesn’t soothe the hurt that has never been felt
like this in Aggieland. It became apparent early
in the game that OU could name their score
against the Aggies and they could have easily
topped the school record of 82 that the Sooners
put up against Colorado in 1990. The Aggies
have twice had opponents scoring record points
this season and that is the main reason that the
honeymoon is over.
Jackie Sherrill’s honeymoon ended after giving up 72 points against SMU and Arkansas in
1982 but it only made the three straight championships that much more sweet when he turned
the program around. Aggie fans will not soon
forget this defeat but this marriage between
Coach Fran and the Twelfth Man has just started.
The good news is that even though the honeymoon is over, this staff and the players that will
return not only have the backing of Aggies
everywhere, they also know they have no where
to go but up. It is painful because this team
could be better, but it isn’t because the coaches
have taken the long-range approach and did not
play freshman that could have helped this team
but will help the team for the four years to
come. The problem is this game has no sugar to
take away the bitterness. The Aggies set records
for the fewest yards of offense, the most points
Photo by JP Beato
The Twelfth Man will support the Aggies through thick and thin.
allowed, it ranks high in the number of yards
allowed and most damning of all, the Aggies
never made it across midfield.
Coach Fran’s resume’ of turning around programs is the cloak that he is wrapped in right
now, but Aggie fans don’t ever want to sit
through another drubbing like the one experienced this weekend. Any other coach in the
country would immediately on the hot seat following a defeat of the magnitude of this loss. It
is not the end of the world because Aggie fans
and their views and disappointments of this
season will not poison the water surrounding
recruiting and the rebuilding task at hand. The
blowout at the hands of the Aggies finally
forced out John Blake at Oklahoma and thank
goodness the Aggies will not have to go
through a coaching change after such a debacle.
Ags Illustrated
Page 10
I have family members that have been here
before. A high school coach travels to watch his
prize pupil kick for the Missouri Tigers against
Barry Switzer’s Sooners in 1986. He saw him
kick off and never saw him line up for a placement as they were also shut out 77-0 and never
crossed midfield. The only redeeming factor
was his punting and he was out all afternoon
and must have been worn out after the game.
That Missouri team was near the basement of
the Big Eight and that is the location A&M
would find themselves in now if not for the
Baylor Bears. I have told that story to a lot of
friends, and Barry Switzer even talked about it
in his book but to actually feel the pain associated with it, is a totally different story. The pity
shown the Aggies should be more than enough
to motivate the player for the next two games.
The Sooner coaches were forced to not only take
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
a knee to keep from scoring but to draw up a
play to give the ball to the fullback at the end of
the game, despite not having the play in the
playbook. So Aggie fans know what it is like to
have “half a hundred” hung on them in just a
little more that a half against the steam roller
that is the Oklahoma Sooners when they are on
the roll that has them poised to win another
national championship. Sooner fans are quick
to forget the Blake years but the Aggies in the
stand will not soon forget this ballgame, and if
the Aggies are even in the position to hand out
the same kind of performance they will be
yelling from the stands “77-0” as a mantra.
Playing your starting defense nearly into the
fourth quarter with this kind of lead that
marked this game will be remembered as well.
After the game I was asked about how this
will affect recruiting, and it is yet to be seen
what will happen. Some recruits will make
decisions not to attend A&M based on this season, but many will look at A&M as an opportunity to play for Coach Fran no matter what has
happened this season. Looking at OU, the best
&
NEWS
NOTES
from the game
A&M's rushing (22), passing (32) and total
offense (54) outputs were season-lows. The
22 rushing yards were the lowest since
1999 when Nebraska limited A&M to 2
rushing yards. The 32 passing yards were
the fewest since 1990 when A&M managed
just 23 against Texas. The 54 total yards
were the fewest dating back at least to the
early 1970s. The lowest A&M total offense
output in school history was 12 vs. TCU in
1930.
* The 77-0 shutout by Oklahoma marked
the first time A&M has been held scoreless
since Nov. 3, 2001 when Texas Tech prevailed 12-0 in Lubbock.
* The 77 points scored by Oklahoma were
the most ever allowed by the Aggies. The
previous high scoring output by an A&M
opponent was 59 points by Texas Tech earlier this season.
and deepest team in the country, is not just a
team full of Blue Chippers, there are players on
the team that were not highly recruited, and
those players make the OU team what they are
today. Jason White will win the Heisman
Trophy after the national television audience
saw him pick apart the Aggie defense. There
are others that bought into the rebuilding effort
that Bob Stoops brought to the Sooner nation.
No matter how good a player looks on Friday
night, no mater what their accolades are in high
school, no matter where the gurus place them
on a recruiting list, those that want to be
Sooners or Aggies when a rebuilding period
starts are those that not only commit to Coach
Fran, but also they are the players that Coach
Fran knows will pull the rope together to a
common goal. Coach R. C. Slocum’s first class
was small and built the same way, players that
had gurus scratching their head on signing day
but watching them celebrate conference championships four and five years latter. Those players were full of desire and moved forward with
the new coaches to the top five of college football. The players that sign with the Aggies this
* The 77-point winning margin by the
Sooners was the largest point differential in
school history. The previous record was 48
points in a 48-0 loss to Texas in 1898.
* Oklahoma's total offense output of 639
yards was the second-most ever against the
Aggies behind the 669 yards gained by
Texas Tech earlier this season.
* Oklahoma quarterback Jason White completed 15 straight passes against the
Aggies, which is an opponent record
against A&M. The previous best was 14
straight by Texas Tech's Kliff Kingsbury in
2002.
* The three touchdown catches by
Oklahoma receiver Mark Clayton matches
an opponent record against A&M. The
record was originally set Baylor's Lawrence
Elkins in 1963. It has been matched three
times this year by Clayton, Pittsburgh's
Larry Fitzgerald and Texas Tech's
Nehemiah Glover.
For the Record: Game captains were senior
Alan Reuber, sophomore Reggie McNeal,
senior Linnis Smith, and junior Byron
Jones...the 12th Man Kickoff team representative was John Ray, a redshirt freshman
from Giddings, Texas...Oklahoma won the
toss and deferred to the second half.
Ags Illustrated
Page 11
year will have the same kind of desire and challenge ahead of them, but they will have looked
Coach Fran in the eye and told him that they
want to be Aggies. This coaching staff is not
going to start recruiting bodies to fill up those
scholarship numbers either so any guru that
tells you that any of the kids that sign with the
Aggies in February shouldn’t be an Ag, then
you need to look at who they are and what they
do 8-5 each week because I know it will not be
analyzing any more tape than what the coaches
will see. Dozens of tapes full of games in which
those players have participated show what they
are made of, and when coaches analyze tape
they are looking for more than just the highlights that somebody at guru.com think they see
when they take a look at the Aggie commitments heading into February. Just like during
the rebuilding process in the early eighties, the
Aggies will lose recruits to Oklahoma, Texas,
Oklahoma State, LSU and others but those players that did build the program in the early
eighties did it overcoming players at all those
school that had the gurus’ blessings as well.
* OU tied an all-time Big 12 record for
points scored in game with the 77 points
today. Nebraska beat Iowa State 77-14 on
Nov. 15, 1997.
* The 77 point margin is a Big 12 record for
scoring margin. The largest margin prior to
today's game was 66 points. Kansas State
beat Missouri 66-0 in 1999.
* With today's final 77-0 score, OU has
scored 70 or more points 10 times in the
modern era (1937-present).
* OU has not allowed an opponent to score
on its first offensive possession this season
and extended that streak to 12 games,
which includes the Big 12 Championship
game and Rose Bowl last season.
* OU has scored on its first offensive possession in nine of 10 games this season.
Oklahoma State held OU scoreless on its
opening possession last weekend.
* The last time OU had two backs run for
100-yards was against Iowa State in 1999.
In 1999 Quentin Griffin collected 123 yards,
while Reggie Skinner recorded 116 yards.
Today, Donta Hickson (131) and KeJuan
Jones (120) each finished with more than
100 rushing yards.
* The last time OU had 300 yards rushing
was against Texas Tech last season. The
Sooners finished with 342 yards.
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Above: Coach Helduser has improved the offensive line.
Above Right: Geoff Hangartner is a future star.
Right:: The young Aggie defense has time on its side.
Below: Reggie McNeal has bounced back from struggles
this year.
Opposite page: Three key redshirts are expected to contribute next year are Red Bryant, Cody Wallace and Japhus
Brown.
photos: Brice Clendenin
Ags Illustrated
Page 12
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Ags Illustrated
Page 13
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Scouting
MISSOURI
3 Keys
Depth Chart Notes
to the Missouri Game
by Scott Clendenin
The Aggie players remember last season’s
game against the Tigers that eventually cost
Coach R. C. Slocum his job as head coach in
Aggieland. The Aggies lost 33-27 in overtime.
Missouri Head Coach Gary Pinkel won the
very first overtime game played in Division I history when his Toledo Rockets beat Nevada, 4037, in the 1995 Las Vegas Bowl. The overtime rule
was put into effect for that bowl season, and has
been in use ever since. Pinkel is now 5-1 alltime
in his career in overtime games, including 3-1 at
Mizzou
In the course of MU's win against Nebraska,
Mizzou rallied from a 10-point 4th-quarter
deficit to post the 41-24 win. The comeback win
was the 3rd of the season for Mizzou.
Here's a look: Oct. 11, 2003 vs. #10 Nebraska MU trailed 24-14 entering the 4th quarter before
QB Brad Smith raced 39 yards for a TD on the 1st
play of the period to cut the deficit to 24-21. MU's
defense forced turnovers on 2 of Nebraska's next
3 possessions, and MU cashed in 3 more times
for TDs, including 2 short scoring runs by Smith
sandwiched around a beautifully executed fake
field goal that resulted in a 14-yard TD pass from
backup QB Santino Riccio to TE Victor Sesay;
Sept. 20, 2003 vs. Middle Tennessee State - MU
trailed 34-26 with 5:11 left in the game before
Smith led MU on an 11-play, 73-yard drive for a
TD (12-yard pass to WR Darius Outlaw with
1:17 left). Smith ran in the 2-pt. conversion to
force OT and then scored MU's TD on a 3-yard
keeper to help the Tigers to a thrilling 41-40 win;
Aug. 30, 2003 vs. Illinois - MU trailed 15-14
when it took over on its own 22 yardline with
10:36 remaining in the game. Smith led MU on a
13-play, 78-yard TD drive (6-yard pass to Outlaw
with 4:12 left), and ran in the 2-pt. conversion to
account for the final score as MU won, 22-15;
How ef fective are the Tigers when
they get into the redzone?
1
When it reaches the opponents' 25 yardline,
Mizzou has been the most efficient team in the Big 12
Conference in taking care of business, as the Tigers
rank 1st in the league heading into the Colorado
game in red zone efficiency. Mizzou has scored on 34of-37 trips inside the red zone, good for a success rate
of 91.9%. The Tigers have converted on 13 consecutive red zone trips heading into the Colorado game
Saturday. The last unsuccessful foray into opponent
red zone territory was MU's 2nd effort on Oct. 11th vs.
Nebraska, as the Huskers came away with an interception to thwart an MU drive. Of MU's 34 red zone
conversions, 27 of them (79.4%) have resulted in TDs
(17 rush/10 pass). The 3 unsuccessful opportunities
came on a missed field goal and a fumble in game 3
vs. Eastern Illinois, and an interception in game 6 vs.
Nebraska.
2
Is Brand Smith the best run/pass
quarterback in the country?
In just 21 career games, Smith already ranks 5th on
the school total yardage chart, with 5,965 yards entering the Colorado game. With a career passing total of
3,803 yards after Saturday's game against Colorado,
Smith stands in 6th place on the MU career passing
yardage list, and he just passed Phil Johnson for 6th
place. Smith has thrown just 11 interceptions in 614
career passes, or once in every 56 passes. With his big
rushing day against Tech, Smith moved into 10th
place already on the MU career rushing chart. He
enters the Colorado game with 1,982 career rushing
yards. This comes after a season in which Smith
amassed 3,362 yards of total offense (an MU record),
and became only the 2nd player in Division IA history to throw for 2,000 yards (2,333 to be exact) and rush
for 1,000 yards (1,029) in the same season.
3
Are the low number of turnovers
the key to the turnaround by
Pinkel at Missouri?
Yes it is along with quarterback Brad Smith. In
Pinkel's time at Missouri (from 2001 through games
of Nov. 8st), MU has had the fewest turnovers in the
nation, by far. In the 32 games in the Pinkel regime,
MU has committed just 37 turnovers. The next
fewest during that same period is Minnesota, with
45. The next best team in the Big 12 is Oklahoma,
who rates 10th-best, at 51 turnovers. Through 9
games this season, Mizzou leads the nation with
just 9 turnovers lost, tied with his old school Toledo.
Ags Illustrated
2002 Record: 5-7 (2-6)
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 4-3
Coach: Gary Pinkel
Conference: Big 12
Stadium: Memorial Stadium
Page 14
The Aggies started
one of their youngest
teams of the season
against the
Oklahoma Sooners.
On defense the
Aggies started only
two seniors.
Defensive lineman
Linnis Smith and
defensive back Sean
Weston were the
only scholarship
players on defense
that will not return
for next season.
On offense, the
Aggies only started
two seniors as well
Missouri
since they lined up
in a two tight end
set. Tim Van Zant
returned to the field
on the next play but
before that only
offensive linemen
John Kirk and Alan
Reuber will not
return next year.
Punter Jacob
Young’s performance
while subbing for an
injured Cody Scates
has the punting
chores settled for
next year. Scates will
still have the chance
to be drafted.
Depth Chart
Texas
A&M
WR 3 Darius Outlaw, 6-3, 185, Sr., 3L
86 Brad Ekwerekwu, 6-3, 190, Fr.
WT 76 Rob Droege, 6-6, 300, Sr., 3L
68 Tony Clinker, 6-4, 297, Jr., 1L
WG 52 Tony Palmer, 6-2, 303, So., 1L
57 Joe Gianino, 6-3, 300, Jr., 1L
C 70 A.J. Ricker, 6-4, 295, Sr., 3L
69 Scott Sells, 6-5, 295, Sr., 2L
SG 58 Cliff Young, 6-2, 300, Sr., 2L
55 Mike Cook, 6-2, 315, RSFr.
ST 63 Steven Sanchez, 6-4, 305, Sr.
78 Scott Paffrath, 6-5, 290, Jr., 1L
TE 89 J.D. McCoy, 6-1, 258, Sr., 3L
84 Victor Sesay, 6-6, 255, Jr.
QB 16 Brad Smith, 6-2, 205, So., 1L
19 Santino Riccio, 6-2, 200, So.
TB 38 Zack Abron, 5-9, 225, Sr., 3L
2 Damien Nash, 5-11, 210, So.
WR 87 Thomson Omboga,6-2,189,Jr.,
1 Marcus James, 5-8, 174, Sr., 3L
WR 12 Sean Coffey, 6-5, 224, So., 1L
88 Arnold Britt, 6-2, 182, So.
DE 99 David Ross 6-2 268 So-1L
95 Mike Montgomery 6-5 275 Jr-TR
DT 97 Johnny Jolly 6-3 287 So-1L
93 Ju Parks 6-1 356 Fr-RS
DT 59 Brian Patrick 6-5 293 So-1L
or 91 Marcus Jasmin 6-5 318 Jr-2L
DE 88 Linnis Smith 6-4 288 Sr-3L
98 Marques Thorton 6-2 275 Fr-RS
SLB 41 Arch. McDaniel 6-1 227 So-1L
58 Blake Kendrick 6-1 225 Jr-2L
MLB 97 Scott Stickane 6-0 234 Sr-3L
44 Ta Ta Thompson 6-4 236 Fr-HS
ROV 49 Nur. Manning 6-2 230 So-SQ
42 Everett Smith 6-2 229 Sr-3L
LCB 31 Sean Weston 5-10 180 Sr-3L
26 Jonte Buhl 5-10 171 Jr-2L
RCB 11 Byron Jones 5-10 178 Jr-2L
6 Bryant Singleton 5-11 187 So-1L
SS 23 Ronald Jones 5-10 179 So-1L
33 Keelan Jackson 6-1 219 Jr-2L
FS 19 Jaxson Appel 5-10 196 So-1L
40 Kevin Mangum 5-11 191 Jr-2L
P 20 Cody Scates 6-1 205 Sr-3L
30 Jacob Young 6-0 196 Jr-SQ
DE 39 Brian Smith, 6-3, 220, RSFr.
48 Xzavie Jackson, 6-4, 255, Fr.
DT 97 Atiyyah Ellison, 6-4, 290, Jr., 1L
73 Russ Bell, 6-2, 300, Sr., 1L
NG 99 C.J. Mosley, 6-3, 289, So., 1L
94 Phil Pitts, 6-1, 276, Jr., 2L
DE 96 Zach Ville, 6-2, 272, Jr.
64 Rusty Groth, 6-4, 270, Sr.
LB 21 Brandon Barnes,6-3,230,Sr., 2L
40 Derrick Ming, 5-11, 243, So., 1L
LB 24 James Kinney, 6-1, 233, Jr., 2L
46 Henry Sweat, 6-0, 225, Jr., 1L
LB 6 Jason Simpson, 6-0, 198, So., 1L
8 David Overstreet, 6-0, 195, RSFr.
SS 33 Dedrick Harrington,6-3,223, Fr.
31 Quincy Wade, 5-9, 182, So., 1L FS
FS 22 Nino Williams II, 6-1, 200, Jr.
18 Terrence Curry, 5-10, 177, Sr., 2L
CB 17 Calvin Washington,6-0,192,So.,
7 A.J. Kincade, 5-10, 182, So., 1L
CB 26 Michael Harden,5-11,195,Sr., 3
36 Marcus King, 5-10, 186, Jr., 2L
P 35 Todd Gohsler, 6-1, 196, Sr.
13 Brock Harvey, 6-1, 197, Jr., 2L
PK 34 Michael Matheny,6-2,195,Sr.,1L
91 Alex Pettersen, 6-4, 205, RSFr.
WR 5 Terrence Murphy 6-1 191 Jr-2L
9 Earvin Taylor 6-3 217 Fr-HS
ST 73 Alan Reuber 6-7 310 Sr-3L
70 Cody Wallace 6-5, 282 Fr-HS
SG 76 A. De La Garza 6-3 317 So-1L
64 Kirk Elder 6-4 307 Fr-HS
C 66 Geoff Hangartner 6-5 300 Jr-1L
54 James Milkavich 6-2 274 Sr-SQ
QG 50 John Kirk 6-4 295 Sr-3L
71 Quentin Holman 6-2 349 So-SQ
QT 67 Alex Kotzur 6-4 284 Fr-RS
74 Dominique Steamer 6-5 310 So-SQ
TE 85 Taylor Schuster 6-5 260 Fr-RS
82 Patrick Fleming 6-5 271 So-1L
SLT 3 Terrence Thomas 5-9 180 Jr-2L
80 L’Tydrick Riley 6-2 223 So-1L
FLK 83 Tim Van Zant 6-1 195 Sr-2L
7 Jason Carter 6-0 197 Jr-1L
QB 16 Reggie McNeal 6-2 191 So-1L
17 Dustin Long 6-3 205 Jr-1L
A 7 Jason Carter 6-0 197 Jr-1L
30 Nick Rhodes 6-0 202 Fr-HS
FB 34 Keith Joseph 6-2 241 Jr-2L
24 Chris Alexander 5-11, 242, Fr-HS
TB 1 Derek Farmer 5-11 202 Jr-2L
25 Courtney Lewis 5-10 187 Fr-RS
K Todd Pegram 5-11 201 So-1L
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Game 11
Texas A&M vs. Missouri
at Memorial Stadium • TV: Fox Regional • Kickoff: 11:30 cst
Overview
Playing at Missouri gives the edge,
even though it is a slight one, to the
Tigers. Missouri has lost games to
Kansas and Colorado that they
should have won.
EDGE: MISSOURI
Keep An Eye On
By The Numbers
Texas A&M
Offense Rank
Offense
The Missouri offense revolves around Total
Brad Smith and his ability to pass
and run the ball. In the upset losses
to Kansas and Colorado, both teams Rushing
limited him offensively.
EDGE: MISSOURI
Passing
57
Missouri
YPG
Offense Rank
YPG
386.1
Total
404.3
37
26
189.8
Rushing
11
220.9
78
196.3
Passing
90
183.4
YPG
Defense Rank
YPG
423.7
Total
54
367.4
194.6
Rushing
45
135.7
Defense
The Tigers’ weak point last year was Defense Rank
defense and it has improved this year.
They still have trouble against pass- Total
94
ing attacks, and the Aggies need to
move the ball through the air.
Rushing
95
EDGE: MISSOURI
Special Teams
Passing
115 158.2
Passing
72
127.7
After facing the speed on special
teams that Oklahoma had, facing the * Ratings are final for the regular season. Pass defense rated by efficiency.
solid units at Missouri might seem
less formidable. Both teams expect a
big play in the return game.
EDGE: EVEN
Five To Consider
Coaching
1.
Gary Pinkel has resurrected the
Missouri program, but they have not
asscended to the top of the Big 12
2.
North after losing to Kansas and
Colorado this season.
EDGE: EVEN
3.
Intangibles
Both teams must deal with the disa4.
pointments from last weekend.
Missouri had a chance to win the Big
12 North and the Aggies were dis5.
mantled by the nation’s #1 team.
EDGE: EVEN
Ho will the Aggies bounce back after the whipping
at the hands of Oklahoma?
What will the Aggies do to slow quarterback Brad
Smith?
After losing out on a chance to win the Big 12
North, what focus will Missouri have?
Can Courtney Lewis show the same bounce he had
before the trip to Oklahoma?
Will the Aggies make the Texas game meaningful
with a victory over the Tigers?
Ags Illustrated
Page 15
QB Brad Smith
Smith was rated fifth
in the Heisman poll
before the loss at
Colorado. He fell
below his season averages against the
Buffaloes.
OL A. J. Ricker
A Remmington
awards candidate at
the offensive line, he
has made 43 straight
starts at center for the
Tigers and is the
nation’s best.
OL Rob Doerge
A pre-season 2nd
team All-American
selection by Street
& Smith's, he is on
the watch list for the
Lombardi and
Outland trophies.
LB Brandon Barnes
Moved from offense
to defense and is now
playing linebacker.
He had two interceptions and a forced
fumble in their big
win over Texas Tech.
LB James Kinney
The big play defender
for the Tigers last year.
He single handedly
disrupted the
Cornhuskers with two
forced fumbles and
another recovered.
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43
43
45
Marcus James
WR
Damien Nash
RB
Darius Outlaw
WR
Orlando Gooden LB
Brandon Coleman QB
Jason Simpson
S
A.J. Kincade
CB
David Overstreet DB
Beau Viehmann RB
Justin Scott
S
Josh Hibbets
S
Brandon Smith S
Sean Coffey
WR
Brock Harvey
P
Pat Veltran
K
Marcus Bacon
DB
Brad Smith
QB
Adam Maxwell WR
Calvin Washington CB
Terrence Curry CB
Santino Riccio
QB
Richard Willis
S
Jamelle Newsome S
Marcus Woods RB
Brandon Barnes LB
Nino Williams
DB
Ryan Edwards
DB
James Kinney
LB
Shirdonya Mitchell CB
Jason Norton
WR
Tyrone Roberson RB
Michael Harden CB
Tim Starks
RB
Terrell Mills
DE
Greg Nutter
WR
Lareno Seymour DB
Ryan Binkholder LB
Lorenzo Williams LB
Quincy Wade
S
Matt Hoenes
RB
Alex Woodley
DB
Matt Coonley
LB
Dedrick Harrington S
Mike Matheny
K
Todd Gohsler
P
Ryan Powell
K
Andrew Hoskins WR
Marcus King
S
Zack Abron
RB
Fabian Bean
DL
Derrick Ming
LB
Lee Ewigman
RB
Seth Harrell
LB
Rayfield Johnson CB
David Richard
RB
Brad Ekwerekwu WR
5-8
5-11
6-2
6-1
6-4
6-1
5-11
6-1
5-9
6-1
6-2
6-2
6-6
6-1
5-10
6-3
6-3
6-4
6-1
5-9
6-2
5-8
6-2
5-8
6-3
6-1
5-10
6-1
6-0
6-4
5-10
5-11
6-1
6-2
5-11
6-0
6-0
6-2
5-9
6-1
5-11
5-11
6-4
6-2
6-1
6-2
6-3
5-11
5-10
6-4
5-11
6-1
6-0
5-10
6-2
6-3
174
213
180
216
200
193
180
190
197
196
185
201
224
197
165
210
201
193
192
177
200
199
205
185
227
183
182
238
180
202
190
190
203
236
180
180
225
235
182
183
185
220
223
196
196
218
202
188
228
269
243
213
219
179
225
190
Sr.
So.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
So.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
So.
Fr.
So.
So.
Jr.
Jr.
Fr.
So.
Fr.
So.
Sr.
So.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
Sr.
Jr.
Jr.
Jr.
Sr.
So.
Jr.
Sr.
Sr.
Jr.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
Fr.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
So.
Fr.
Sr.
Sr.
Fr.
Fr.
Jr.
Sr.
Fr.
So.
So.
Fr.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
Liberal, KS
St. Louis, MO
Powder Springs, GA
East St. Louis, IL
Miami, FL
The Woodlands, TX
St. Louis, MO
Dallas, TX
Owensville, MO
Lufkin, TX
Enid, OK
Stanford, KY
Cleveland, OH
Centertown, MO
St. Louis, MO
Houston, TX
Youngstown, OH
N. Kansas City, MO
Lancaster, TX
Dellwood, MO
Ellwood City, PA
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, MO
Farmington Hills, MI
Sikeston, MO
Oklahoma City, OK
Eldon, MO
Kankakee, IL
Arlington, TX
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, MO
Kansas City, MO
Cleveland, OH
Raytown, MO
Kahoka, MO
St. Louis, MO
New Florence, MO
Midwest City, OK
St. Louis, MO
Branson, MO
Mesquite, TX
St. Louis, MO
Mexico, MO
Columbia, MO
San Diego, CA
Springfield, MO
Plattsburg, MO
Irving, TX
Lake St. Louis, MO
Fontana, CA
Webster Groves, MO
Marceline, MO
Jackson, MO
St. Clair, MO
St. Louis, MO
Arlington, TX
46
47
48
49
49
50
51
52
53
55
56
57
57
58
59
60
61
61
62
63
64
65
66
68
69
70
71
73
74
75
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
84
85
87
88
89
90
91
92
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
Henry Sweat
LB
Josh Barbo
TE
Xzavie Jackson DE
Brandon Massey CB
Perry Purnell
WR
Elgin Childress DL
Stanford Richardson OL
Tony Palmer
G
Rob Hoover
DT
Mike Cook
OL
Emmett Morris Jr. LB
Kene Chukuwuanu DL
Joe Gianino
G
Cliff Young
G
Zane Tomlin
DL
Scott Wheatley DT
Austin Herchand OL
Marty Raab
OL
M.J. Norman
OL
Steven Sanchez OL
Rusty Groth
DL
Zach Kauflin
DE
Howard Brissette OL
Tony Clinker
OL
Scott Sells
OL
A.J. Ricker
C
Monte Wyrick
OL
Russ Bell
DL
Joel Clinger
OL
Howard Brown OL
Kyle Deornellas OL
Rob Droege
OL
Adam Spieker
OL
Scott Paffrath
T
Tyler Luellen
OL
Chris Crosby
WR
Earl Stephens
DL
Martin Rucker
TE
Jason Gannon
DE
Joshua Arnold
QB
Victor Sesay
TE
Greg Bracey
WR
Thomson OmbogaWR
Arnold Britt
WR
J.D. McCoy
TE
Gartrell Cooper DL
Alex Pettersen
K
Brian Smith
DE
Kory Drury
TE
Mau Uiagalelei TE
Phil Pitts
DL
DeQuincy HowardTE
Zach Ville
DT
Atiyyah Ellison DL
Clint Matthews TE
C.J. Mosley
DL
6-0
6-5
6-4
6-1
5-7
6-2
6-2
6-3
6-3
6-3
6-0
5-11
6-3
6-2
6-3
6-3
6-0
6-6
6-5
6-4
6-4
6-3
6-6
6-4
6-5
6-4
6-4
6-2
6-6
6-2
6-1
6-6
6-3
6-5
6-7
6-3
6-4
6-5
6-3
6-1
6-6
6-3
6-2
6-2
6-1
6-4
6-4
6-4
6-5
6-3
6-1
6-4
6-2
6-4
6-2
6-3
230
250
235
195
153
241
279
303
232
317
226
227
300
300
280
278
255
300
280
301
260
236
304
297
292
295
315
290
301
291
305
300
290
285
280
202
276
220
240
199
255
190
189
182
258
240
202
220
241
234
276
240
272
290
230
289
Jr.
Fr.
Fr.
So.
Sr.
So.
Fr.
So.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
Jr.
Sr.
Fr.
So.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
Sr.
So.
Jr.
Jr.
Sr.
Sr.
Fr.
Sr.
Fr.
Sr.
Fr.
Sr.
Fr.
Jr.
Fr.
So.
So.
Fr.
So.
Fr.
Jr.
Fr.
Jr.
So.
Sr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Fr.
Sr.
Jr.
Fr.
Jr.
Jr.
Jr.
So.
Irving, TX
Conway Springs, KS
Wichita, KS
St. Louis, MO
St. Louis, MO
Southfield, MI
St. Louis, MO
Midwest City, OK
Brookfield, MO
Friendswood, TX
St. Louis, MO
Florissant, MO
Eureka, MO
St. Louis, MO
San Antonio, TX
Cleveland, MO
Branson, MO
Ellisville, MO
Chesterfield, MO
Visalia, CA
Glendale, MO
Boone Terre, MO
Las Vegas, NV
Plantation, FL
Columbia, MO
Windsor, MO
Texarkana, AR
Jefferson City, MO
Warrenton, MO
West Point, NY
Paris, MO
St. Louis, MO
Webb City, MO
Chesterfield, MO
Bethany, MO
St. Louis, MO
Ferndale, MI
St. Joseph, MO
DeSoto, MO
Ste. Genevieve, MO
Silver Spring, MD
Milwaukee, WI
Grand Prairie, TX
St. Louis, MO
Moore, OK
Arlington, TX
Carrollton, TX
Denton, TX
Ste. Genevieve, MO
Pomona, CA
Jefferson City, MO
Tyler, TX
Miami, FL
St. Louis, MO
Ozark, MO
Ft Leonard Wood,
Missouri
Tigers
Ags Illustrated
Page 16
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Texas A&M Overall Individual Statistics (as of Nov 09, 2003)
All games
Texas A&M Overall Team Statistics (as of Nov 09, 2003)
All games
TEAM STATISTICS
-------------------------------------------------------SCORING.......................
Points Per Game.............
FIRST DOWNS...................
Rushing.....................
Passing.....................
Penalty.....................
RUSHING YARDAGE...............
Yards gained rushing........
Yards lost rushing..........
Rushing Attempts............
Average Per Rush............
Average Per Game............
TDs Rushing.................
PASSING YARDAGE...............
Att-Comp-Int................
Average Per Pass............
Average Per Catch...........
TDs Passing.................
TOTAL OFFENSE.................
Total Plays.................
Average Per Play............
KICK RETURNS: #-YARDS.........
PUNT RETURNS: #-YARDS.........
INT RETURNS: #-YARDS..........
KICK RETURN AVERAGE...........
PUNT RETURN AVERAGE...........
INT RETURN AVERAGE............
FUMBLES-LOST..................
PENALTIES-YARDS...............
PUNTS-YARDS...................
Average Per Punt............
Net punt average............
TIME OF POSSESSION/GAME.......
3RD-DOWN CONVERSIONS..........
3rd-Down Pct................
4TH-DOWN CONVERSIONS..........
4th-Down Pct................
SACKS BY-YARDS................
MISC YARDS....................
TOUCHDOWNS SCORED.............
FIELD GOALS-ATTEMPTS..........
PAT-ATTEMPTS..................
ATTENDANCE....................
Games/Avg Per Game..........
TA
OPP
267
26.7
189
88
81
20
1898
2213
315
395
4.8
189.8
19
1963
250-131-12
7.9
15.0
196.3
11
3861
645
6.0
386.1
33-850
31-192
6-151
25.8
6.2
25.2
26-14
66-525
52.5
48-1850
38.5
36.5
27:41
42/126
33%
6/13
46%
17-104
15
33
13-18
30-32
449609
6/74935
374
37.4
233
124
93
16
1946
2260
314
459
4.2
194.6
20
2291
283-175-6
8.1
13.1
229.1
28
4237
742
5.7
423.7
38-816
21-96
12-113
21.5
4.6
9.4
29-10
70-612
61.2
50-2193
43.9
40.0
32:19
67/149
45%
13/18
72%
23-168
52
52
5-9
45-49
277952
4/69488
RUSHING
GP Att Gain Loss Net Avg TD Long Avg/G
----------------------------------------------------------Lewis, Courtney
10 152 917 33 884 5.8 11 86 88.4
McNeal, Reggie
10 103 504 179 325 3.2 3 33 32.5
Farmer, Derek
10 67 317 14 303 4.5 1 62 30.3
Murphy, Terren.
10 8 163 13 150 18.8 1 80 15.0
Carter, Jason
9 6 121 0 121 20.2 1 40 13.4
Flemming, Osch.
10 15 75 3 72 4.8 0 15 7.2
Joseph, Keith
10 21 64 0 64 3.0 2 9 6.4
Scates, Cody
4 1 15 0 15 15.0 0 15 3.8
Taylor, Jamaar
6 2 13 0 13 6.5 0 11 2.2
Kendrick, Blake
10 1 3 0 3 3.0 0 3 0.3
Perry, Thomas
5 1 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0.0
Team
7 4 0 6 -6 -1.5 0 0 -0.9
Long, Dustin
10 14 21 67 -46 -3.3 0 6 -4.6
Total..........
10 395 2213 315 1898 4.8 19 86 189.8
Opponents......
10 459 2260 314 1946 4.2 20 40 194.6
PASSING
GP Effic Att-Cmp-Int Pct Yds TD Lng Avg/G
--------------------------------------------------------------McNeal, Reggie
10 127.34 189-97-6 51.3 1539 8 91 153.9
Long, Dustin
10 112.66 58-33-6 56.9 410 3 42 41.0
Branyon, Ty
1 108.80 2-1-0 50.0 14 0 14 14.0
Team
7 0.00 1-0-0
0.0 0 0 0 0.0
Total..........
10 123.28 250-131-12 52.4 1963 11 91 196.3
Opponents......
10 158.25 283-175-6 61.8 2291 28 67 229.1
Season
Stats
SCORE BY QUARTERS
-------------------Texas A&M...........
Opponents...........
1st
--37
91
2nd 3rd 4th Total
--- --- ----87 58 85 - 267
80 120 83 - 374
RECEIVING
GP No. Yds Avg TD Long Avg/G
------------------------------------------------Murphy, Terren.
10 29 456 15.7 0 56 45.6
Taylor, Jamaar
6 25 456 18.2 4 91 76.0
Van Zant, Tim
10 22 298 13.5 2 37 29.8
Joseph, Keith
10 7 110 15.7 0 34 11.0
Carter, Jason
9 7 94 13.4 0 24 10.4
Taylor, Earvin
10 7 92 13.1 0 46 9.2
Lewis, Courtney
10 7 84 12.0 0 33 8.4
Schroeder, Chad
6 6 126 21.0 1 42 21.0
Thomas, Terren.
10 6 81 13.5 0 26 8.1
Riley, Tydrick
10 5 100 20.0 1 37 10.0
Matakis, Andy
8 3 24 8.0 2 16 3.0
Wright, Anthony
9 3 19 6.3 0 9 2.1
Germany, Quin.
10 2 16 8.0 1 12 1.6
Farmer, Derek
10 2 7 3.5 0 9 0.7
Total..........
10 131 1963 15.0 11 91 196.3
Opponents......
10 175 2291 13.1 28 67 229.1
PUNT RETURNS
--------------------------------------Carter, Jason
Van Zant, Tim
Thomas, Terren.
Roberson, John
Total..........
Opponents......
INTERCEPTIONS
--------------------------------------Appel, Jaxson
Jones, Ronald
Jones, Byron
Total..........
Opponents......
Ags Illustrated
Page 17
No. Yds Avg TD Long
12
11
5
3
31
21
85
72
31
4
192
96
7.1 0
6.5 0
6.2 0
1.3 0
6.2 0
4.6 0
18
16
10
10
18
21
No. Yds Avg TD Long
4 109 27.2 1
1 26 26.0 0
1 16 16.0 0
6 151 25.2 1
12 113 9.4 2
64
26
16
64
27
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Aggie Recruiting
Top Recruits will come whether the internet
says so or Not
By Scott Clendenin
Younger Aggies are going to go ballistic on
the Internet until the Aggies erase this loss
with something positive in the final two
games of the season. They have no frame of
reference to criticize the current coaches or
players. They do not know what is like to see
this program struggle, and they were spoiled
by the success of the previous staff and their
criticism of it showed the same kind of attitude that was criticized for years 90 miles
west. A sense of entitlement doesn’t produce
a good athletic department and it doesn’t produce a good football team. The Aggies of the
early eighties were built in just as tough an
environment as what the Aggie coaches face
today. A&M was not at the top of the pecking
order in this region by any means. The
Aggies were clearly behind SMU, Texas,
Arkansas and Baylor in the SWC and behind
Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Oklahoma State in
the Big Eight. The Aggies dug themselves out
of that hole when all those teams except
Baylor finished ranked in the top ten from
1980 to 1985. SMU played for a national
championship in 1982 and was snubbed by a
sympathy vote for Joe Paterno. Texas lost the
national championship in 1983 against
Georgia in the Cotton Bowl. North of the Red
River, Oklahoma would win the national
championship in 1985 but they lost a chance
in 1984 at the Orange Bowl (they would still
finish in the top six with #3 Nebraska and #5
Oklahoma State). Between 1980 and 1984
these teams would have ten finishes in the top
six of the coaches and media polls. The
Aggies did rebuild under these conditions
and it will happen again. The Aggies trailed
in facilities and perception during that time
period but it changed in short order. Jackie
Sherrill’s famous quote about getting your
kicks in at the Aggie program now are just as
viable today because when Coach Fran does
have his plan in place, the tide will turn
again.
Now the Aggies were in another time and
place and $100 bills were used as calling cards
but when Oklahoma, Oklahoma State, Illinois
and Texas A&M would all be placed on probation for the recruitment of Hart Lee Dykes
it showed that even the powers in college
football thought it was important enough to
cheat to remain in the top five teams in the
country. Now times have changed and facilities and television appearances are the keys to
recruiting. You look back at the recruits that
signed during those years and they would not
nearly be as high on the list as those signed
by Texas and Oklahoma but those players
sure contributed to the success that returned
the Aggies to the top ten of college football.
Now those that have always run down the
accomplishments of the previous staff will cry
long and hard about how those teams really
were not that good, but the coaches that
rebuilt the Aggie program also had to deal
with the resurgence of LSU to add another
team to the mix for recruits in Texas. All of
those teams used their lack of success of the
Aggies during the recruiting battles for the
prime time athletes, just like today’s recruits
are hearing. Now it may cost the Aggies
players that they have offers on the table to,
but the players that the staff have recognized
and offered that are not on those gurus’ list
have done something to catch the eye of the
coaches.
Now some on the Internet will have you
believe that they know everything there is to
know about each and every recruit on the
Aggie board, but that is a lot of bunk.
Coaches use information from recruits, high
school coaches, media contacts and their own
judgment to make those offers. A receiver
with hands of stone but can run like the wind
(i.e. David Aaron from Marshall) may wow
the gurus with their size and speed at some
camp, but when you can’t perform under the
lights, the Aggie coaches found out from
those around the program in east Texas let
them know that he was really a track guy
playing football. Many wondered why the
Aggies did not even go after such a “gifted”
Ags Illustrated
Page 18
recruit.
Now you may not want to hear it if you
want to run down the coaching staff, but the
same reasons that A&M can and has attracted
great recruiting classes are still in place. This
coaching staff has the respect of high school
coaches across Texas. Players have seen the
success that Coach Fran has had in his previous stops. Reggie McNeal is a very charismatic player and his presence, much like
Kevin Murray more than a decade ago,
attracts the skill position players to come to
Aggieland to play with him. Defensive players know that if they can’t come in and play
soon for the Aggie defense that they will not
be able to play any earlier anywhere else
across the country. What the Aggie coaches
have to make sure is that their evaluation of
these players needs to have very few misses
due to the limited number of recruits that can
now be brought into the program. At TCU,
Coach Fran had player after player turn into
athletes that not only earned conference and
national honors but in a true testament to
their recruiting knowledge, they are now dotting the rosters of the NFL. In pro football
they don’t care where you come from, only
that you can catch, run, tackle or block.
Whether it was the Schobel clan from
Columbus or the fine receiving talents of
Reggie Harrell (who looks more like an NFL
receiver than his former teammate B. J.
Johnson), the staff’s ability to find players is
much more important than if some fan is
upset because the players that sign in
Aggieland did not appear on a list that they
were shelling out money each and every
month to read.
So don’t listen to the bunk that A&M
recruiting is on any kind of downward spiral
and that the Aggies have never seen the kind
of competition for players as they see in year
one of the Coach Fran era. It is not like it hasn’t happened before, and the Aggie coaches
were able to bring in players that made a
twenty-year streak of .500 or better seasons
possible.
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Aggie Basketball
Women’s Basketball Starts Again...
by Scott Clendenin
Melissa Picone and the Aggies have to block out past problems and improve under Coach
Blair. Photos by Brice Clendenin
Ags Illustrated
Page 19
Gary Blair has the honor of coaching the
Aggies and taking them back to the NCAA
playoffs that has eluded them since the departure of Candy Harvey to the professional ranks.
He is the ultimate rebuilder and the ultimate
winner, leading both Stephen F. Austin and
Arkansas back to the NCAA playoffs and to a
level of success that had eluded both programs.
His ability to recruit the state of Texas and the
region gives the Aggies a chance to close the talent gap that now exists between them and the
powers in the Big 12 conference.
He knows it can be done at A&M and his
enthusiasm and work ethic have not changed
despite already spending 18 years as a head
coach. Anyone who thinks that he has slowed
down has not seen him on the road recruiting
and selling the Aggie program to any and all
that will listen to the “Shelby Metcalf” of
women’s college basketball. He was not too far
away to see basketball grow at Iowa State,
Kansas State or Baylor. He knows that
Oklahoma was shutting down the program
before Sherri Coale arrived from the high school
ranks to build a program that reached the final
four. Bill Fennelly, Deb Patterson and Kim
Mulkey-Robertson grew those other programs
from nearly the ground up by hard work on the
recruiting trail and good coaching during ballgames. They did not fear Texas, Texas Tech,
Kansas or Colorado, the programs that had
national reputations before the formation of the
Big 12, but they took them on in the living
rooms of high school recruits before they ever
saw them on the court during the spring portion of the schedule.
“I’m glad to be here,” Gary Blair told the
media at the Big 12 Media days “I’m glad I was
given the opportunity. This time the timing was
right. This time when Bill Byrne started calling,
I started listening. I wasn’t looking for a job at
the time at all because I had a top 20 program
and a top 20 team at Arkansas, but sometimes
in life change is good. The first book Bill Byrne
gave me to read was Who Moved the Cheese. If
you’ve read that book, it’s about change. It
makes you think where you need to be in your
life right now. There’s been a whole lot of
changes in my life.”
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
What hasn’t changed is his ability to win basketball games. He has done it at every level
and all it will take is time before he does the
same thing in Aggieland. Before coming to
Aggieland he coached 10 seasons at Arkansas.
He became the winningest coach in school history as he built a 198-120 record. Last season,
Arkansas reached the second round of the
NCAA Tournament before falling to Texas and
that squad finished ranked 24th nationally.
His style plays right into what players want to
do on the court, play aggressive defense and
run the floor. The team’s best player, guard
Toccara Williams, is perfect for that role and is
excited about the coaching change.
“He likes to run the floor, run hard, play
close-pressure defense full court,” she said. “I
think we’re going to adjust really well. The
guard sets the pace so I’m trying to do that.”
During his first season in Fayetteville, Ark., he
turned the Lady Razorbacks around from a twoyear losing slide with a 15-14 record. That season was the closest he has ever come to having
a losing record and he doesn’t look to end that
streak in Aggieland. That team consisted of five
freshmen and four sophomores but they did not
use youth as any excuse and went 23-7 and
advanced to the NCAA tournament’s secondround.
His resumé at Arkansas includes two back-toback Southeastern Conference Tournament
semifinal finishes in 2001 and 2002, but his
1997-98 team was the pinnacle of his time at
Arkansas. His unranked team shook off a sixthplace finish in the tough SEC, and while being
seeded ninth, the team advanced to the NCAA
Final Four. No team has been as low a seed to
reach the final four in the history of the tournament.
The Aggies have to adjust not only to Coach
Blair but also to the newcomers that were
brought into the program. “Everyone’s pumped
about the season,” junior guard Mindy Garrison
said. “I think with the new coaching staff, there
are a lot of adjustments that have to be made.
And I think our whole team is adjusting to
roles. We have six new players, so it’s a totally
different look from what we saw last year. I
think the six that are returning are really helping the new players out. I think they’re all
adjusting well.”
Blair led Stephen F. Austin to a 210-43 record
for eight seasons. He won seven straight conference championships and made seven NCAA
appearances. Blair’s SFA teams were ranked in
the final Associated Press poll during his last six
seasons in Nacogdoches, Texas.
Starting with his second season as a college
coach in 1986-87, Blair recorded seven seasons
with 25-plus winning records. That translated
2003-04 Women’s Basketball Roster
1
2
3
4
12
15
20
22
23
30
31
40
55
Williams, Toccara
Price, Carol
Castile, Charlette
Derrick, Janae
Garrison, Mindy
Ganter, Jamila
Roy, Erica
Wilks, Jennifer
Romero, D’Nika
Scales, Tamea
Picone, Melissa
Chinweze, Ogadi
Classen, Lynn
G
P
G
F
G
G
G
F
G
G/F
G/F
P
P
5’-9”
6’-2”
5’-8”
5’-11”
5’-9”
5’-7”
5’-8”
6’-0”
5’-8”
6’-0”
6’-1”
6’-1”
6’-3”
Sr-3L
Sr-SQ
Jr-TR
Sr-3L
Jr-2L
Fr-HS
So-TR
Fr-HS
Jr-TR
So-1L
So-1L
Fr-HS
Sr-3L
Hollywood, FL (South Broward)
Fenton, MI (Fenton)
Duncanville, TX (Duncanville/Paris JC)
Trotwood, OH (Madison)
San Marcos, TX (San Marcos)
Texarkana, TX (Liberty Eylau)
Little Rock, AR (McClellan/Ark.-Fort Smith)
Frankston, TX (Frankston)
Lubbock, TX(Coronado/TAMUK/ClarendonJC)
Memphis, TN (Ridgeway)
The Woodlands, TX (The Woodlands)
Missouri City, TX (L.V. Hightower)
San Antonio, TX (Churchill)
career.
into increased home attendance for SFA as it
Blair is a 1963 graduate of Dallas Bryan
ranked in the top 12 in Division I in that categoAdams High School and was an All-City basery.
ball player. After a tour in the U.S. Marine
“The first jobs I rebuilt, I was able to do it in
Corps, he earned his bachelor’s degree in health
my second year. Hopefully, I will be able to do
and physical education with a minor in journalit. If I can do it in my second year, I’ll be doing
ism from Texas Tech in 1972. He completed his
cartwheels. But it’s going to be harder because
master’s in education in 1974 and also played a
I’m going to be losing three seniors from my
team. You’ve got to have a good recruiting class, season of baseball for the Red Raiders.
And in the quote of the week at the Media
but we’re all getting our share-either the junior
day’s coach Blair said, “Didn’t you grow up
college route or the freshman route. I’m not
wanting a quick fix. I’d rather bring in freshmen everyday wanting to be an Aggie? We’ve got to
sell that. I used to be a Red Raider. I’m a confirst and build for four years. I’m not in a
fused man, but I found home now.”
hurry.”
Prior to his stint at SFA, Blair
was an assistant coach at
Louisiana Tech. During those
five seasons, Louisiana Tech
won two national championships in four Final Four
appearances. LaTech might
have been the new cradle of college coaches with Leon Barmore
teaching the game to Blair and a
group of college coaches that
have succeeded at nearly every
stop following their time with
the Techsters.
A member of the Texas High
School Basketball Hall of Fame,
Blair was a dominating young
coach at Dallas South Oak Cliff
High School. In seven seasons
there, he set a state record with
five consecutive state tournament appearances and a stellar
239-18 record. His teams won
three state Class 4A titles in
1977, ’78, and ’80, and finished
as runner-up by a mere two
points in 1979. Louisiana Tech
was quick to hire him after the The team is looking to the future and is up near the top of
quick start to his coaching
the Big 12. Photo by Brice Clendenin
Ags Illustrated
Page 20
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
2002-04 Women’s Basketball Schedule
14 *Oklahoma College Station 7 p.m.
17 *at Nebraska Lincoln, Neb. 7:05 p.m.
21 *at Colorado Boulder, Colo. 8 p.m.
25 *Texas College Station 2:30 p.m.
28 *at Texas Tech Lubbock, Texas 7 p.m.
31 *Iowa State College Station 7 p.m.
FEBRUARY
4 *Oklahoma State College Station 7 p.m.
7 *at Oklahoma [FSN] Norman, Okla. 12 p.m.
11 *at Texas Austin, Texas 7 p.m.
14 *Texas Tech College Station 7 p.m.
18 *Kansas State College Station 7 p.m.
21 *at Kansas Lawrence, Kan. 7 p.m.
28 *at Baylor Waco, Texas 7 p.m.
MARCH
3 *Missouri College Station 7 p.m.
9-13 Phillips 66 Big 12 Tournament Dallas, Texas
All Times Central
NOVEMBER
22 1-LaSalle Boston, Mass. 2 p.m.
23 1-Boston/Florida Boston, Mass. TBA
28 2-Minnesota Freeport, The Bahamas 1 p.m.
29 2-USC/Seton Hall Freeport, The Bahamas TBA
DECEMBER
3 Arkansas-Little Rock College Station 7 p.m.
6 North Texas College Station 2 p.m.
13 McNeese State College Station 2 p.m.
17 LU-Monroe College Station 7 p.m.
21 Marshall College Station 2:30 p.m.
30 Houston College Station 7 p.m.
JANUARY
3 Texas State College Station 2 p.m.
7 *at Oklahoma State Stillwater, Okla. 7 p.m.
10 *Baylor [FSN] College Station 2:30 p.m.
2003-04 Big 12 Conference Women's Basketball Media
Preseason Poll
1. Texas
(17)
215
2. Kansas State (1)
193
3. Texas Tech
180
4. Oklahoma
162
5. Colorado
133
6. Baylor
125
7. Missouri
103
8. Iowa State
97
9. Kansas
62
10. Oklahoma State 61
11. Texas A&M
39
12. Nebraska
34
(first place votes in parentheses)
2003-04 Big 12 Conference Women's Basketball Media
Preseason Team
Preseason All-Big 12 Team
Nicole Ohlde, Kansas State F/C 6-4
Sr/3L Clay
Center, Kan./Clay Center
Kendra Wecker, Kansas State F
5-11 Jr/2L
Marysville, Kan./Marysville
Heather Schreiber, Texas
F
6-2
Jr/2L
Windthorst, Texas/Windthorst
Stacy Stephens, Texas F
6-1
Sr/3L Winnsboro,
Texas/Winnsboro
Jia Perkins, Texas Tech
G
5-8
Sr/3L
Granbury, Texas/Granbury
(Others Receiving Votes: Steffanie Blackmon and Sophia
Young, Baylor; Caton Hill and Chelsi Welch, Oklahoma;
Jamie Carey, Texas; and Erin Grant, Texas Tech)
Preseason Player of the Year:
Nicole Ohlde, Kansas State F/C
Kan./Clay Center
6-4
Preseason Newcomer of the Year:
New Women’s Basketball Coach Gary Blair is a master builder.
Sr/3L Clay Center,
Elizangela Gomes, Oklahoma State C
Brazil/Eastern Oklahoma College
Preseason Freshman of the Year:
Tiffany Jackson, TexasF
6-3
Ags Illustrated
Page 21
6-4
Jr/TR Sao Paulo,
Fr/HS Dallas, Texas/Duncanville
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
AgTimes.com
AgLaw
Starter
Joined: 29 Nov 2001
Posts: 154
Location: Dallas, TX
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 11:15
Post subject: 2004 RS
Freshman
--I've heard some good things about Bryant, Jack and
Harrington on the DL, and Wallace on the OL, but
has anyone heard anything about any of our RS Fr for
next season being ready to step in next year and
play?
DL is an obvious need, and if these guys prove to be
players, they can give us a much needed infusion of
talent.
What about Stephen Hodge? We desperatelyy need a
good cover corner, as well.
DallasAggie2000
All Conference
Joined: 10 Nov 2002
Posts: 585
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 11:40
Freshman
--From talking to one of the staff's former head coach,
there are 9 guys that are being redshirted on the line.
All of them have the potential to be starters next year.
According to him, its probably the best class this class
has ever seen.
DallasAggie2000
All Conference
Joined: 10 Nov 2002
Posts: 585
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 12:02
Freshman
--Sorry my mind was thinking one thing and my hands
typed another.
To clarify for your first question. At one time, on of
our coaches played college football. I spoke to his former head coach who was in town for one of the
games.
As for question two, I meant to say that this is probably the best class that our coaching staff has ever
seen. Sorry.
Harry
All Conference
Joined: 21 Nov 2002
Posts: 778
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 12:04
Freshman
--cool, thx.
Visit us at www.agtimes.com for the latest in Aggie
news, chat and message boards
schmedley
Starter
Joined: 19 May 2002
Posts: 201
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 12:05
Freshman
--Probable starters and/or major contributors next
year:
Bryant, Jack, Harrington, Thomas, Wallace, Elder,
Adams, Yoder
Mayes, Hodges, Alexander
the atheticism to return punts(something we really
need) and he would return punts and kicks during
high school. So he has the athleticism and some experience to return punts. I don't know if that will happen, but he is someone I would like to see get a
chance to return kicks.
jamey
Site Admin
Joined: 14 Dec 2001
Posts: 12279
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 12:41
Freshman
--Newton was one of my favorite recruits from last
years class. He's got some wheels.
schmedley
AgTimes.Com Recruiting Video!!!
Possibles:
Clark, J. Brown, Mitchell
While all these red-shirts will need experience, at
least they are all in shape. There have been a number
of reports that these guys really look good in practice.
The AgTimes.com Class of 2003 Recruit Video, in addition to
ordering from this site on the banner above, is available at these
Houston and B/CS area businesses:
***For you thousands of Aggies living in the Motherland who
have not yet ordered the video (for whatever reason), they are
now conveniently available in your neighborhood.***
mattgid03
All Conference
Joined: 22 Apr 2002
Posts: 722
Location: College Station, TX
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 12:24
Freshman
--If you could tell me the top 20 players on the team,
there are a lot of them that are being redshirted. Our
talent level at the FR, SO level is miles ahead of the
talent level at the JR, SR level.
_________________
"I've seen 'em win, and I've seen 'em lose, but I've
never seen 'em quit."
Pride Cleaners, all four locations in B/CS, owned and operated
by Will Simmen ‘86. Get your clothes laundered and pressed and
pick up the Class of 2003.
Dixie Chicken and Shadow Canyon at Northgate, and the
Chicken Oil Co. restaurant. Drink a beer, eat a burger and buy
this Recruit Video.
Briarcrest Country Club Pro Shop operated by Jim Beard ‘83.
Knock some balls in the water then buy some more and pick up
the Recruit Video at the register before you leave.
Wolf Creek Car Wash on Harvey Rd owned by Bill Trainor ‘82
and Sandra ‘83. Gas up, clean the car, buy the Recruit Video and
‘Be Happy’. Then tell your Aggie friends and neighbors where
they can get their very own Class of 2003 video.
Loupot’s stores, all three locations.
aggi2003
Redshirt
Joined: 05 Oct 2003
Posts: 115
Location: North Texas
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 12:40
Freshman
--I got someone who may suprise ya'll next year.
Broderic Newton is a very athletic kid, who while
playing time at DB will probably not happen, he has
Ags Illustrated
Page 22
Rothers at Southgate.
IN HOUSTON AT:
Aggieland of Texas, 7526 FM 1960 across from Willowbrook
Mall.
Barcelona Sports, 10210 Old Katy Rd. between Gessner and the
Tollway.
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
Starter
Joined: 19 May 2002
Posts: 201
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 12:44
Freshman
--I knew I forgot someone- totally agree about Newton.
Gig_Them
Redshirt
Joined: 08 Jan 2002
Posts: 62
Location: college station, TX, USA
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 13:25
Freshman
--I've heard really good things about Alexander.
Imagine the linemen we signed last year and
Alexander in a few years............. our running game
will be reliable even against top ranked defenses.
Gig'em
Ags16
Recruit
Joined: 04 Oct 2003
Posts: 35
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 14:11
Freshman
--Don't count out Lamar Mitchell either. Saw him when
he was at Dayton and the kid can absolutely motor. If
he can learn that LB position, he will be dangerous.
Our LBs might be pretty strong next year especially if
Morris comes back(even though its doubtful). But
Warren and TaTa have gotten tons of snaps this year
and are gaining valuable experience. I personally
think McDaniel will be huge for us the next two
years. This guy brings the wood when he hits. Then
we have reliable guys in the back up roles such as
Manning, Lightsey, and Woods.
_________________
Adversity causes some to break, others to break
records.
mpic
Recruit
Joined: 03 Sep 2001
Posts: 41
Location: Rock Hill, SC, USA
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 14:17
Freshman
--I hope some of our redshirts will crack the starting
line up next year compared to what we have now.
Unfortunately, I am not sure how good they really are
compared to playing against some of the guys that
are starting now.
mpic
EdEarl
Hall of Fame
Joined: 06 Aug 2000
Posts: 2220
Location: Landville County, Texas
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 14:30
Post subject: Re: 2004
RS Freshman
--schmedley wrote:
Probable starters and/or major contributors next
year:
Bryant, Jack, Harrington, Thomas, Wallace, Elder,
Adams, Yoder
Mayes, Hodges, Alexander
Possibles:
Clark, J. Brown, Mitchell
While all these red-shirts will need experience, at
least they are all in shape. There have been a number
of reports that these guys really look good in practice.
I assume that your probable starters list is just your
opinion ???
As well as your comment about being in shape,
which by making you are assuming that some others
are not. Your opinion or what?
schmedley
Starter
Joined: 19 May 2002
Posts: 201
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 15:14
Freshman
--Of course it's my opinion, everything posted on any
board is someones opinion. Even the so-called gurus,
just an opinion.
EdEarl
Hall of Fame
Joined: 06 Aug 2000
Posts: 2220
Location: Landville County, Texas
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 15:23
Freshman
--Don't be so touchy. Some people have a source like a
player or a coach's cousin. And some people include
IMO in their posts. You sounded very authoritative.
Posts: 318
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 15:31
Freshman
--In my opinion....
Starters:
ST Wallace
QG Elder (unless Hightower moves there)
TE/QT Adams
DE Jack
2-Deep
TB Brown
FB Alexander
TE Thomas
C Yoder
OG Clark
DE Harrington
DT Bryant
SLB Mitchell
CB Newton or Hodge
Plus E. Taylor, Warren, Thompson, and Bullitt.
ETAG1
Redshirt
Joined: 02 Jul 2000
Posts: 127
Location: Henderson, Texas
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 15:57
Freshman
--I would hope that Jack, Herrington, and Bryant could
be good enough to upgrade the DL immediately. I
would like to see help in the defensive backfield also.
Hopefully, a couple of redshirt offensive linemen and
tight ends can also help.
83
Redshirt
Joined: 13 Jan 2003
Posts: 66
Location: Rockwall
Posted: 09 Nov 2003 16:44
Freshman
--The talent from last years class is obvious. But more
important may be their attitude and adjustment to
Fran and Co. Watching some of the athletes on their
way out , and others who probably had emotional
ties to some of RC's assistants, methinks ATTITUDE not schemes - not 3-4 vs. 4-3- talent is the current
problem.
AggieGreg06
All Conference
Joined: 15 Dec 2002
Ags Illustrated
Page 23
17 Issues for 42.90 979-690-9278
w
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Ag e-G urd m.
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The Zone Monday thru Friday Line-up
1a-5a ESPN Radio All Night
5a-9a The Mike & Mike show from ESPN
9a-11a The First Word w/Louie Belina
11a-2p The Jungle w/Jim Rome
2p-5p Dan Patrick Show
5p-7p Chip Howard’s SportsTalk
Te
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to
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Farmers Fights On... Farmers Fights On

Transcription

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