Don't blink: The tempo was so fast Saturday that if you watched a replay on the Jumbotron, you probably missed the next play. "We haven't been in the huddle all spring," A&M defensive coordinator Joe Kines said. "Everything has been at the line [of scrimmage]. It's really been high-tempo, and that's the way the game's played now."
*
Several players missing: Aggie head coach Mike Sherman said about 20 injured players didn't dress, including sophomore quarterback/wide receiver Ryan Tannehill, senior offensive lineman Lee Grimes, senior linebacker Matt Featherston, senior defensive back Jordan Peterson, senior center Kevin Matthews and junior offensive tackle Lucas Patterson. A&M's lack of numbers didn't allow the teams to be equally split as typically is the case in spring games.
*
Contingency plan: A&M was prepared to play the game inside with former players, former students, incoming freshmen, recruits and players' parents all squeezed into the McFerrin Center.
*
A real head-scratcher: Even Sherman, who devised the point system for the game, wondered how the offense trailed by only eight points at halftime.
"The defense should have been winning by a lot at halftime," he said. "Something happened to that point system. I think we added wrong up there. We might have had some mechanical engineers up there instead of some accounting students."
*
Playing well: Senior Jeremy Brown had five catches for 80 yards with a score working with the second and third units. Redshirt freshman Tommy Dorman was 6-of-13 passing for 86 yards with an interception. Senior quarterback Jeff Wood was 5-for-6 passing for 46 yards with a score, and sophomore Kevin Westerman was 4-of-8 passing for 43 yards with two interceptions.
*
Depleted defensive backfield: A&M had only two healthy cornerbacks, which helped contribute to sophomore wide receiver Jeff Fuller's big game.
"We were looking in the stands [for help]," Kines said. "There was one little boy up there with a jersey on, we almost got him. He looked like he might play."
*
Et cetera: The fans voted senior walk-on linebacker Derek Dumas the winner of the halftime obstacle course, making him the Aggies' 12th Man for the season-opener against New Mexico. ... Junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson's grandmother was Edna Johnson, and the funeral was in Houston.
-- ROBERT CESSNA
Notice about comments:
TheEagle.com is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. TheEagle.com does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not theeagle.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "report abuse" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our website.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.
(Requires free registration.)
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: _____NEW DEFENSIVE END COMMIT
My personal opinions:_____DE Kendrick Deal 6-5 215 4.7 committed to Mike Leach this weekend, turning down a Mike Sherman offer to play at A&M._____miller58
Posted by: On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: IQ58
Miller58, get a life.
Posted by: miller58 On: 4/20/2009
Comment Title: SHERMAN LOSES ANOTHER LINEBACKER TO OUT OF STATE TEAM!
My personal opinions:_____Linebacker Luke Muncie 6-3 215 4.49 turned down a Mike Sherman offer to play for him at A&M, to commit to Les Miles._____Just remember the 2 DB's to Nebraska and ou, the two linbakers to okie lite and lsu. the OG to 'bama and the RB to michigan that all turned down A&M offers to go out of state._____As Sherman's recruiting losses continue, our blow out losses will also continue!_____miller58
Posted by: Ags up to 16 commits, still down to no 5*'s, only one 4*, and tu has 17 of 'em?-miller58 On: 4/19/2009
Comment Title: