By ROBERT CESSNA
Thunderstorms threatened to move Saturday's Maroon & White Game indoors, but the weather cooperated, allowing several Texas A&M players to shine brightly.
Junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson and sophomore wide receiver Jeff Fuller led the Maroon squad to a 117-107 victory using a modified scoring system in a glorified practice pitting the offense against the defense, with points available on every play.
"I really didn't think we were gonna go [outside]," A&M head football coach Mike Sherman said. "I sure hope this is a great omen for us for the season."
The 6-foot-4, 209-pound Fuller was the best omen for Johnson, who had a tough start against an aggressive defense. The sure-handed, powerful Fuller had nine catches for 147 yards, including a 28-yard touchdown at Kyle Field before about 8,000 fans.
Fuller wasn't the only one who dominated one-on-one battles. Junior defender Von Miller was constantly harassing Johnson. The 214-pound, explosive Miller showed why he was moved to A&M's new "jack" position, a hybrid of the defensive end and linebacker positions.
Miller had three sacks and a few pressures and probably got cheated a couple times when the officials didn't whistle the play dead, since the defenders weren't supposed to tackle the quarterback.
"I think it was evident that we don't have many guys who can block Von Miller," Sherman said. "He must have scored about 50 points by himself. And we were gracious in letting the quarterback get the ball off. He was in a league of his own out there today."
The first-team offense had only five first downs in six first-half possessions, which spanned 27 plays. That included a pair of turnovers. Sophomore defensive tackle Eddie Brown recovered a fumble by Fuller after a hard hit by sophomore defensive back Justin McQueen. Redshirt freshman linebacker Kyle Mangan intercepted a pass in the end zone intended for senior tight end Jamie McCoy on the last play of the first half.
"The defense won today, you know that," a laughing Miller said. "You know how it is. [But] we both came out and we both did good. It was all just for fun. The score said the offense won. [But] if you watched the game, you saw that the defense did well, too."
Especially the first unit.
Senior linebacker Anthony Lewis, junior linebacker Michael Hodges and sophomore defensive back Taylor Randle also had interceptions. Senior safety Jordan Pugh and sophomore safety Trent Hunter had solid games, while sophomore defensive tackle Tony Jerod-Eddie had a couple pressures and back-to-back pass deflections.
The defense had five takeaways and was credited with seven sacks.
"All we try to do is get better every day," A&M defensive coordinator Joe Kines said. "Spring games are hard to judge. All we were looking for was effort. Did they play hard? Did they do the things you've been asking them to do? And did we have a little fun?
"And I think the scoring system Coach [Sherman] put in all spring has really added to spring practice."
The 64-year-old Kines had difficulty following the point system, but had no problem rating his players' effort.
"Sometimes, it seemed like Chinese arithmetic to me," he laughed. "But the guys bought into it hook, line and sinker."
Johnson and his teammates started piling up points in the second half, rallying from a 72-64 halftime deficit. The 229-pounder said the offensive just needed to get in rhythm after a sluggish first half.
Johnson, who completed 14 of 29 pass attempts, attended his grandmother's funeral Saturday morning, missing the team breakfast and autograph session for the fans.
"I gave him the option of not being here today, but he wanted to be with his teammates," Sherman said. "I thought he started a little slow, but picked it up as we went through it."
Johnson was 6-of-11 passing for 102 yards and a touchdown in the second half behind an offensive line that was missing several players because of injuries.
"The main thing is protecting the quarterback," Sherman said. "If we can protect the quarterback, I feel we have a chance."
Fuller also gives the offense a chance to score from anywhere. He had a 30-yard catch on third-and-13 that led to the go-ahead touchdown on the first drive of the second half. He later added a 27-yard touchdown.
"I had a real rough practice Thursday," Fuller said. "I came out here and felt like I had something to prove."
Johnson and Fuller excelled with just an average running game.
Redshirt freshman Jay Tolliver (18 carries-63 yards, TD) ran well with the second unit, as did redshirt freshman quarterback Tommy Dorman (5-26, TD).
Sophomores Bradley Stephens (9-18, TD) and Cyrus Gray (5-22, TD) each had a few good runs. But the first unit netted only 9 rushing yards on 24 carries behind an offensive line that included only two starters from last year, sophomore Evan Eike and senior Michael Shumard.
"We have to get a lot better in that area in order for us to be a championship-caliber team -- you have to be good up front," Sherman said. "And any team that I've been on that's been worth a lick has been good up front. We have to continue to address that, fundamentally, and also recruiting-wise."
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Posted by: Pablo On: 5/1/2009
Comment Title: Try this..
http://www.wfaa.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/texasam/stories/041209dnspocarlton.39e0271.html
Posted by: On: 4/25/2009
Comment Title:
We have been all over that site and find no reference to the 230 or 240 pound claim by miller. Can you provide more navigation details.
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/25/2009
Comment Title: Quote from Von Miller.. on WFAA.com
"Although listed at 6-3 and 214, Miller said he's about 230 pounds this spring. Miller guarantees that he'll be pushing 240 next season."
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: Good one Stars
Very informative.. thanks for the insight (sincerely)! You are probably right, but here's hoping Von Miller turns into a beast of QB Sack Machine!
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: RE: Pablo
The jack position (von miller) has been introduced slowly. Miller has, in most cases, only had to beat the tackle to the QB in practice and scrimmage. He will be introduced to the doble-team in the fall (see Texas A&M Fall Notebook article dated April 22nd and go to section titled Doubling Up on Miller). We will see what happens. He will also be negated in spread option (baylor, new mexico, etc) because the backside DE (in 4-3) or OLB (in 3-4) is the QB read to tigger run/pass/keep. He is just too light for the position, good speed, but just too light for all the reasons previously stated. We will not end the year in this defense. Just my opinion of course and, while I don't think it will be necessary, I am not against trying to develop a taste for crow. Matter of fact, I would be happy if the opportunity presented itself. ;-)
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: Miller.. clarification please...
You may not answer, but I thought I'd try anyway.. You say Sherman is unable to instill team discipline, yet I read a column about Von Miller and how "clean" his locker is, etc.. What exactly is your basis for Sherman's "inability"? Not that stat about penalties right? Because we know Stoops team committed more... right?
Posted by: Pablo On: 4/23/2009
Comment Title: Something to look for in the Fall
Thanks Miller and Stars for your analysis.. Accordingly, A&M should lose to TT, OSU and OU. On top of that, Von Miller is a non-factor against high ranked passing attacks. OK, got it down. Hope to serve you boys some crow in the Fall -:)
Posted by: mller58 On: 4/21/2009
Comment Title: RE;Seeing Stars
My personal opinions:_____Stars, interesting question you ask about A&M and ou, comming out of spring training with their lists of things to accomplish before we meet in November.____I've watched Stoops just flat out attack his problems in the past!_____Hard solid coaching, full speed scrimage of the first team offense against the first tean defense "during the season", just flat out hard work on problems, until Bob felt satisfied._____I feel sure Stoops will be ready for us in November._____As far as Sherman, I've never had any confidence in him as a college head coach, since first reading his resume, and getting the reports on his inability to evaluate player peronnel, and his inability to instill team discipline; and I just lose more confidence every day.____My expections are that we won't be ready for ou in November, and our list will be just longer than ever with Sherman, while he still tries to figure out the college game!_____miller58
Posted by: On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title:
What the sam hill does that mean. big12 half the time ??????????????????????????????????????
Posted by: On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: Wish we played in the Big 12
We could win half the time anyway.
Posted by: On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title:
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: THE VON MILLER PLIGHT
Hope this helps a little. Look at two prolific passing games we face, Ok and TT. The #1 passing attack in the nation last year was TT with 5371 yards AND they ranked #4 in the nation in sacks allowed at 1.0 per game. Ok had the #3 passing attack AND ranked #3 in sacks allowed at .93 per game. They throw a bunch but don't get sacked. Why? These guys get rid of the football. They are not standing in the pocket waiting for some long or intermediate route to develop. The ball is gone, and quick. In those offenses Miller is cancelled out by that factor alone plus we made our run defense weaker.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: _____NEW DEFENSIVE END COMMIT 6-5 215 4.7
My personal opinions:_____After already losing 6 A&M offers for 2 DB's, 2 LB's, an OG and a RB in the last couple of weeks, Sherman score his 7th loss when DE Kendrick Deal 6-5 217 4.7 committed last weekend to Mike Leach!_____with no five stars, and only 1 four star committed, and now losing most of our offers to other top recruits, we are just guaranteeing more future blow out losses in the future._____miller58
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: RE: Ken ' 94
I follow your argument on the wins but I really have trouble with the logic. Just can't drag myself over to that assessment right now but I sure hope you are right and I am wrong.
Posted by: Ken '94 On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: 2009 Wins
Stars -- don't disagree with anything you said except the # of wins. All teams lose players every year & other players step up to replace them. So let's look at the schedule. First three games should be Ws -- if not it's going to be a LONG year. Iowa State and Baylor both come to Kyle and therefore should be pretty automatic too. Arkansas is not the cream of the SEC, could go either way. OSU is improved in recent years, but that game is at Kyle. Could go either way. K-State is down, that's a winnable game. TT in Lubbock -- can't believe that hasn't been a W since '93 -- statistically we're due for one! Colorado is really in for a make-or-break year for Hawkins, and my guess is break. Definitely winnable. Oklahoma in Norman is probably not. Texas at Kyle? Well, stranger things have happened. Taken together, I don't see how A&M doesn't come out with 7 wins, minimum.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: RE: Flowbee58
My take is probably no better than the next guy but here is what I see. As far as more speed and not being out of position. That could be but you have to remember that speed can be made up if you don't have to overcome a first step that was in the wrong direction. This defense has been working against our offense every day for a long time so they are quite familiar with our sets, schemes, and plays which helps them react just a little quicker so we need to wait and see on that subject. We have players at new positions on a defense with a new scheme. I remain unconvinced this is the answer to our defensive problems simply because of the players used in the formation. I don't think you can find a set like this anywhere. We have chosen to focus on the pass defense by bringing up miller who is the size of a safety and playing him in what looks to be a DE position. Make no mistake, this is NOT a 3-4 defense. It is a 4-3 with a missing 260 pound DE being replaced by a 214 pound player. Miller can be negated in a blink by keeping a 235-245 pound running back in to help the tackle with the pass rush if he needs it. Realize miller will face better tackles than what he has so far in scrimmage and practice. What happens when you run right at him, use wider line splits, run reverses, or run screens to his side. Point is, if he gets too disruptive I can take him away with a double because after him there is apparently no true defensive threat in the front seven. So take away miller and then just scheme away from hunter and what's left? I think teams will just run between the tackles in this defense to negate him. Teams ran on us 507 times last year at over 5 yards per attempt (219 yards per game) and only threw it 365 times (243 yards per game) and we just gave up a run-stopper for a pass rusher. On offense We have fuller and no legitimate second or third threat. We were a little guilty of falling in love with fuller and tannehill last year and we didn't establish other receivers as threats in the mind of the opposition. So they double up fuller on defense and make us go to a #2 or #3 which has not established himself yet. Also, we are weaker at the QB position this year compared to last. We may not ever see tannehill at QB. Torn labrums are serious and johnson/dorman are not the duo mcgee/johnson were. So here is my slant: 50% chance of 4 wins, 30% chance of 3 wins, 20% chance of 5 wins. Considering the defense alone, we win six games and you need to give sherman AND kines contract extensions. (JUST MY OPINIONS).
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: SHERMAN HAS LOST ALL THE 5 STARS< ALL THE 4 STARS< NOW ALL THE 3 STARS< ONLY REALLY LOW RANKED LEFTOVERS AND BLOW OUT LOSSES AGAIN FOR A&M?
My personal opinions:_____Sherman got no five star players in his third signing class._____Sherman got only 1 four star player._____AND now Sherman is losing almost all the decent 3 star players._____Just in the past two weeks I've detailed the loss of top players, mostly 3 star, to out of state teams,_____Sherman will have 59 evaluated and hand picked players on campus this fall; players that Sherman evaluated and withdrew scholarships from are now going to ole miss, rice, etc._____Sherman just lost another top player out of state:_____LINEBACKER LUKE MUNCIE 6-4 215 4.49 just turned down Sherman's A&M offer, and committed out of state to Les Miles!_____In just the past two weeks that's 2 DB's to nebraska and ou, 2 linebackers to okie lite and lsu, an OG to 'bama and a RB to michigan?_____These are all top three star players except one four star!_____Well, at least if Sherman fills out his third signing class with low ranked leftover players, just the quantity will falsely inflate our recruiting way too high?_____But these are good DB's and LB's could have helped stop some of our future blow out losses?_____miller58
Posted by: Flowbee58 On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title: Seeing Stars
Like that you keep things civil, and worth repsonding to. Here's my question, how much yardage is attributable to the first team on either side, and the second team ? I talked to several people at the "game". Consensus is the defense does have more speed and doesn't seem to be out of position as much. Biggest change thought seems to be attitudes. Intersted in your slant.
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title: RE: Ken '94
Before we consider our 23 roster player O-line as a liability we need to look around the league. There are several examples but let's consider one. Oklahoma will enter league play with NINE O-linemen on the roster (1 fish, 4 soph, 2 jr, 2 sr) plus 4 inbound in '09 class. They lost almost all of the O-line. They will be hurt by one injury more than we will because of numbers. Oklahoma just played their spring game too. The offense gained less than 300 yards on 87 snaps (compared to our 530 yards on 100 snaps). On top of it all, 52 of those snaps were runs which gained a total of 27 yards!!! TWENTY-SEVEN YARDS ON 52 SNAPS. Every player on the team knew what the graduation losses would be yet four (trent williams, jermaine gresham, gerald mc coy, and sam bradford) elected to stay for another year instead of enter the draft where they all were projected as high round picks. Drawing their inspiration from the NC basketball program where the players elected to return last year for a shot at the national title, these four remained with the team in spite of losses which seem to spell disaster. They know they have the coaching to get them there if each man commits 100% to the goal. Their spring game gave them and their coaches several "to do" lists between now and the season opener just like our spring game did. We meet 14 November in Norman. Who do you think will get their lists done and how?
Posted by: Seeing Stars On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title:
Was not there but seems like there was an offense that picked up 530 yards (381 pass and 149 run) per athletic site article, and looked bad doing it !!! Was it weak against weaker? Also, how were they blocking Miller? How fast was the QB getting rid of the ball? Who was the tackle on that side? Were they keeping a back in to help the tackle with his pass rush? Did they run any pitches to his side? Any screens? Reverses? Misdirection? Or was it scripted to showcase Miller ? Even with the Miller highlight reel they still rang up the 381 yards passing with an offense that is suspect at best right now. Just how much better does it need to be over 530 yards. Lots of work to get done on both sides of the ball in next few months.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title: Re Ken'94
My personal opinions:_____Ken'94 with 23 O-Line due on campus including returning starters; and sophs, redshirts and fish from Sherman's first two great signing classes and Sherman's coaching, we should have one of the best lines in the Big 12???????????_____miller58
Posted by: ags up to 16 commits, down to no 5*'s, one 4*, and tu has 17 of 'em-miller58 On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title:
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title:
Posted by: On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title: t
t
Posted by: Ken '94 On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title: The Line
Here's to hoping that those injured linemen who didn't play yesterday make the O-line a lot better by September!
Posted by: On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title: test, test, test....1, 2, 3
CU fans not excited about A&M; Remember that bad CU team in 2000? McFerrin thoughts
