By ROBERT CESSNA(Editor's note: The story says that A&M has never finished in the NCAA's Top 10 in total offense. That was based on a statistical chart listed in the 2003 football media guide. However, the 1990 team that averaged 471.1 yards per game was sixth in the country, according to the 1991 media guide. SWC rival Houston led the country at 586.8 ypg. A&M was fourth in rushing at 319.1 ypg. — Robert Cessna)
It might be awhile until Texas A&M's defense can again be called the Wrecking Crew. But in the meantime, the offense is making a case to borrow the moniker.
A&M is averaging 589.5 yards per game, the best two-game start in school history. The Aggies rolled up 606 yards in a 41-6 dismantling of New Mexico, then followed with 573 yards in a 38-30 victory over Utah State.
A&M leads the nation in total offense, well ahead of second-place Arkansas (538.0 ypg).
"You know, I kind of focus on the things we didn't do more so than what we did do," A&M head coach Mike Sherman said. "I'm very realistic when it comes to statistics. I don't spend a whole lot of time looking at the stats."
The statistics that concern him are 20 incompletions against Utah State and an NCAA-leading 30 penalties.
"I think we should be more productive," he said. "We missed some opportunities. We could be a little more accurate in our passing."
Despite 35 incompletions overall the Aggies are averaging 341.5 yards passing, which ranks sixth in the country. Quarterback Jerrod Johnson has completed 63.4 percent of his passes with six touchdowns and no interceptions. He's also the team's second-leading rusher with 135 yards on 24 carries.
"We've got to pass block better," Sherman said. "Jerrod made a lot of big plays with his feet, but I'd rather not have him run around quite as much as he is. I'm grateful he converted some third downs for us with his feet, which we ask him to do, but at the same time I'd much rather have protection and throw the ball downfield."
Johnson certainly has weapons at his disposal. A&M has nine players with at least three catches and freshman running back Christine Michael has 187 yards rushing on 28 carries. He has yet to be tackled for a loss.
"They are a talented offensive football team," said Alabama-Birmingham head coach Neil Callaway, who will bring his Blazers to Kyle Field for a 6:05 p.m. Saturday game. "I am very impressed with the quality of athletes they have. They got a big, fine, good looking quarterback. They have a couple of good wide receivers and they have a running back who can really fly. I know it will be a tremendous challenge for us defensively."
A&M is 11th in rushing offense (248.0 ypg) and 17th in scoring (39.5 points per game).
"That's definitely one thing we strive for -- total yards, passing and running the ball, just to be an effective offense, but I think we're worlds away from where we need to be," Johnson said.
The challenge for A&M will be keeping the offense rolling.
A&M has never finished in the NCAA's Top 10 for total offense. And the last time the Aggies had a Top 10 finish in passing was 1947 (8th, 138.9 yards per game) when an undermanned Aggie team was trying to keep pace with Doak Walker-led Southern Methodist and Bobby Layne-led Texas.
The school record for total offense is 471.1 yard per game set in 1990 when A&M ended the season with a 65-14 bashing of Brigham Young in the Holiday Bowl. A&M rolled up 680 yards in the game, but that wasn't included in the season totals because the NCAA didn't include postseason statistics back then. A&M's record for passing is 268.0 yards per game set in 2002 when the Aggies were 6-6 with Dustin Long starting nine games at quarterback.
A&M's early offensive onslaught has come against teams struggling on defense. New Mexico is 114th (488.7 ypg) and Utah State is last among 120 Bowl Subdivision teams at 546.0 ypg.
"Productivity is really a measurement of wins and losses at the end of the season, and we'll see at that time," Sherman said.
For now, the yardage could continue to come. The next three opponents for A&M, 2-0, are struggling on defense. UAB is 110th in total defense (459.7 ypg), Arkansas is 81st (367.5 ypg) and Oklahoma State is 90th (382.0 ypg). All three are most porous against the pass -- UAB (118th, 333.7), Arkansas (90th, 249.0), and OSU (108th, 276.3).
Sherman was the offensive line coach the last time A&M finished in the Top 10 for rushing -- 259.1 ypg for seventh in 1991. That also was the last time the Wrecking Crew led the nation in total defense (222.4 ypg).
TEXAS A&M FOOTBALL
* Saturday's game: Alabama-Birmingham (1-2) at Texas A&M (2-0), 6:05 p.m.
* TV/radio: No TV/WTAW, 1620 AM
* Line: A&M by 15
* Tickets: $25-55.
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