By ROBERT CESSNAA week ago, Lubbock looked like the worst possible place the Texas A&M football team could be headed. Turns out, the Aggies couldn't have picked a better spot to play a solid game.
A&M's 52-30 victory over Texas Tech on Saturday gave a boost to a program that's been saddled with disappointments since winning its only Big 12 championship in 1998.
The latest was a 62-14 loss at Kansas State, which dwarfed all the positive things second-year head coach Mike Sherman had done. Instead of enjoying better days, another shortcoming was added to a list that figured to grow rapidly. It sure looked as if another red mark was on its way less than 3 minutes into Saturday night's game.
A&M opted to kick off to Tech, a strategy that backfired miserably when the Red Raiders turned a fourth-and-one short pass into a 56-yard touchdown. That was compounded when wide receiver Uzoma Nwachukwu fumbled on A&M's first play from scrimmage.
You can only imagine the thoughts of Aggie fans spattered among the record crowd of 57,733 at Jones AT&T Stadium. Nwachukwu was one of 17 true freshmen who played in Saturday night's game. Heck, A&M had been to Lubbock with senior-laden teams and got bounced. What chance would the Kiddie Korps have? Would Tech hang 70 or 80 points on the Aggies?
But A&M's much-maligned defense caught a break when Tech's vaunted offense imploded with three penalties and was forced to punt. Then on Tech's next possession, the Aggies forced their first turnover in 132 snaps.
So instead of Tech's offense getting on a roll it was A&M, which scored on four of five possessions for a 28-14 halftime lead. The Aggies showed that was no fluke with an 11-play, 73-yard drive to open the second half, which also made that decision to kick off to start the game look astute.
A year ago, the Aggies had a surprising 23-20 halftime lead on Tech before the Red Raiders took control with a nine-play, 77-yard touchdown drive to open the second half en route to a 43-25 victory. Tech's defense set the tempo against A&M's offense, which seemed to wear down, especially the linemen.
This time, A&M got stronger on both sides of the ball. The offense capped its night with an nine-play, 43-yard touchdown drive by running the ball eight times. The defense ended things with a sack and fumble recovery.
It certainly was a game to remember, but it would be premature to say it's a significant turning point.
It could be just that, but a week ago there was talk of A&M not winning another game this season. Sherman's job wasn't even close to being in jeopardy, but would he have to make significant staff changes if things didn't improve?
My, what one victory can do.
Now the comparison is to the 1984 team that ended the season with wins against Texas Christian and Texas that jump-started three straight Southwest Conference championships.
Most championship teams do have a turning point or key game. If you could contact the fans who cheered A&M to the 1939 national championships, some probably would point to the 1938 team that set the foundation by ending the season with tough losses at Southern Methodist and Texas before beating Rice.
This team isn't close to winning any kind of championship, but it can get there with the players and coaches it has. They proved that in a big way Saturday night, validating what Sherman, his staff and players have been doing.
There should be more good times ahead, but it would be naive to think that there couldn't be another Kansas State or two along the way.
Texas Tech head coach Mike Leach and the two players he took into the interview room after Saturday's game gave the Aggies kudos -- much like A&M complimented Kansas State the previous week. But the Red Raiders were bemoaning their mistakes.
Tech was called for an illegal formation on the first play of its second drive. Its best offensive lineman was called for a 15-yard facemask two plays later. The Red Raiders also had a holding call on an incomplete pass that was declined on a self-destructing drive that should have given Tech a 14-0 lead.
Tech was never the same. This was the same team that two weeks ago beat KSU 66-14 and then grabbed a 31-10 victory at Nebraska.
"It's the Big 12, man," Tech defensive tackle Colby Whitlock said. "The fact is, they came here ready to play. We didn't."
Now it's up to A&M to build on the Lubbock experience, not allowing success to bring about failure
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Sherman's weekly radio show will be from 7-8 p.m. Monday at Wings-N-More on University Drive. The show will be broadcast on WTAW (1620 AM).
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A&M's Von Miller continues to lead the nation in sacks (12.5 total, 1.79 per game). UConn's Lindsey Witten and Army's Josh McNary each have 10.5, but McNary has played one more game.
A&M quarterback Jerrod Johnson is second in total offense at 337.7 yards per game, behind Houston's Case Keenum (339.7). A&M is third in total offense (489) behind Houston (536.6) and Nevada (505.6). The Aggies are ninth in passing offense (308.7) and eighth in scoring (35.9 points per game). A&M is 98th in total defense (411.6).
Robert Cessna's e-mail address is robert.cessna@theeagle.com.
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