Found some stuff on Aggies (enclosed) + my thoughts on Aggie/La Tech game this week ....
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Sounds like some real QB probs for Aggies now; I'm really curious to see if La Tech line moves, cuz I think Bradshaw's alma mater has good chance at covering, great sandwich situation for LA TECH ... they moved ball vs Nittanies but were crushed by TOs .... LY Tech played Auburn into OT on rd. (many of their squad members have now twice played at Penn st, and solo sojourns into Cane Land, Kan. ST & Fresno st) Yes, not all games were competitive, but many were ... 2 points: (1) They wont be intimidated by Kyle Field and (2) they have a very explosive offense (that makes an interesting boxer vs puncher match-up for punchless Aggies .... Next week Aggies open league with Red Raiders, who beat them 12-0 LY in Lubbock ... I like the fact that Tech could throw 62 passes & not suffer a sack vs JoPa + they only had 3 penalties ... Aggies only scored +24 at home once last year ... If they suffer any letdown, they will have hands full ... Aggies had 95 yards thru 3Qs saturday ... I believe Marshall did that every qtr. in Blacksburg, hehe .... Anyway, it's a game that's caught my eye ...
LOUISIANA TECH PENN STATE
Points 17 49
1st Downs 24 23
3rd Down Eff. 9-20 4-10
Total Net Yards 463 471
Rush Yards 55 297
Rushes 23 45
Average per Rush 2.4 6.6
Pass Yards 408 174
Comp-Att 39-62 14-21
Av. per Comp 10.5 12.4
Punts-Average 7-32.9 6-38.2
Sacked-Yards Lost 0-0 0-0
Had Intercepted 3 0
Penalties-Yards 3-35 5-35
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Penn State Touchdown - Michael Robinson runs to the right for 18 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards (10:39 left)
Louisiana Tech 0, Penn State 7
Louisiana Tech Touchdown - Luke McCown passes to D.J. Curry down the middle for 7 yards (Josh Scobee kick)
Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards (8:17 left)
Louisiana Tech 7, Penn State 7
Penn State Touchdown - Zack Mills passes to Larry Johnson to the right for 19 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards (6:02 left)
Louisiana Tech 7, Penn State 14
Louisiana Tech Field Goal - Josh Scobee kicks a 19-yard field goal
Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards (3:08 left)
Louisiana Tech 10, Penn State 14
2nd Quarter
Penn State Touchdown - Michael Robinson runs to the right for 6 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards (9:05 left)
Louisiana Tech 10, Penn State 21
3rd Quarter
Louisiana Tech Touchdown - Luke McCown passes to Ahmad Harris down the middle for 9 yards (Josh Scobee kick)
Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards (12:31 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 21
Penn State Touchdown - Michael Robinson runs to the right for 5 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 3 plays, 29 yards (8:30 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 28
Penn State Touchdown - Luke McCown throws an interception down the right side of the field, 29-yard return by Paul Cronin (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 0 plays, 29 yards (3:09 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 35
Penn State Touchdown - Larry Johnson runs to the right for 4 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 2 plays, 60 yards (1:11 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 42
Penn State Touchdown - Larry Johnson runs to the right for 3 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 1 play, 3 yards (0:00 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 49
I listened to much of this game... La Tech moved twice 9 plays, 80 yards TD drives, and got to chip shot FG and missed, got to 2 YL and settled for FG .... After the game got tite, 21-17, Penn st overwhelmed La Tech in a 3Q blizzard of short field and defensive TDs or ones set up that way .... PSU RB Larry Johnson ran for 167 yards, avg. nearly 9 YPC ... Not sure aggies OL can punch those type of holes
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By Olin Buchanan
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, September 22, 2002
COLLEGE STATION -- One way to attack a problem is to narrow down the reasons it might exist. To that end, Texas A&M's football team accomplished something on Saturday. The Aggies now know without a doubt that the problems plaguing their plodding offense can't be blamed solely on inferior quarterback play. One-time starting quarterback Mark Farris, the designated scapegoat in previous lackluster showings against Louisiana-Lafayette and Pittsburgh, did not leave the sidelines Saturday afternoon.
Yet the offense -- whether led by sophomore Dustin Long or freshman Reggie McNeal -- was so inept that not even a Herculean defensive effort could save the No. 19 Aggies in a 13-3 loss to No. 7 Virginia Tech, which ended A&M's streak of 29 straight wins against nonconference opponents at Kyle Field. "We are going to enjoy this one," Virginia Tech Coach Frank Beamer said. "We didn't let the crowd really affect us. When you do something no one's done in 13 years, that's pretty special."
Again, the Wrecking Crew -- the nation's fourth-ranked defense -- was at its suffocating best, limiting Virginia Tech (4-0) to just 248 yards and holding the Hokies' star running duo of Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones to a combined 99 yards on 28 carries. But again, the offense could not hold up its end of the deal.
The Aggies (2-1) averaged just 2.5 yards on 63 plays for a meager 156 yards -- 61 coming in the fourth quarter, when the Hokies were playing it safe to protect a 10-point lead. "Our defense was very effective," A&M Coach R.C. Slocum said. "They gave us a chance to win the ballgame." A very slim chance. Winning would've required the Aggies to shut out the Hokies, who entered the game averaging 45.3 points per game. "We go into the game with the mentality that we've got to score points (on defense)," linebacker Brian Gamble said. "A&M for years has been based on strong defense and using defense to win the games. If we hold them to no points, we win the football game."
Instead, A&M's offense, which crossed the 50-yard line just once in the second half, nearly suffered a shutout. In his first collegiate start, Long completed 13 of 28 passes for just 111 yards and threw an interception. McNeal, the highly touted freshman, entered the game in the third quarter to a serenade of cheers from 83,764 fans, but he completed just 1 of 6 passes for seven yards, throwing an interception that led to a Virginia Tech field goal.
To complicate matters, A&M managed only 38 yards rushing. "The search for a quarterback is tied to the running game," Slocum said. "If we become a more effective passing team, demonstrate some mobility at the quarterback position and are able to get out and scramble and make some plays, I think it will take some pressure off the rushing game. The rushing game, in itself, needs work, too." Long started fast by completing his first five passes, including a 10-yarder to Jamaar Taylor to set up Todd Pegram's 43-yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead.
The margin stood until Carter Warley kicked a 22-yard field goal with 57 seconds to play in the second quarter to mark the first time this season A&M had allowed points in the first half. McNeal came in on the Aggies' first possession of the second half, but his second pass was intercepted by Vegas Robinson at the A&M 12, which led to a 26-yard Warley field goal.
The Aggies' most damaging mistake, ironically, was committed by the defense. Still leading just 6-3 in the fourth quarter, Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall beat a blitz with a quick throw to Ernest Wilford, who eluded Byron Jones and raced 52 yards to the 1-yard line. Suggs scored the clinching touchdown on the next play. "Games like this are normally determined when somebody makes a big play," Slocum said. "One of the downsides of playing man coverage is there's not a lot of guys to help you. "It really affected how we played toward the end of the game. It was fairly early in the fourth quarter, and we started trying to conserve time. If it's a 6-3 ballgame, you're still in your regular flow of the game." Perhaps. But for A&M's offense, the regular flow wasn't a good thing.
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Sounds like some real QB probs for Aggies now; I'm really curious to see if La Tech line moves, cuz I think Bradshaw's alma mater has good chance at covering, great sandwich situation for LA TECH ... they moved ball vs Nittanies but were crushed by TOs .... LY Tech played Auburn into OT on rd. (many of their squad members have now twice played at Penn st, and solo sojourns into Cane Land, Kan. ST & Fresno st) Yes, not all games were competitive, but many were ... 2 points: (1) They wont be intimidated by Kyle Field and (2) they have a very explosive offense (that makes an interesting boxer vs puncher match-up for punchless Aggies .... Next week Aggies open league with Red Raiders, who beat them 12-0 LY in Lubbock ... I like the fact that Tech could throw 62 passes & not suffer a sack vs JoPa + they only had 3 penalties ... Aggies only scored +24 at home once last year ... If they suffer any letdown, they will have hands full ... Aggies had 95 yards thru 3Qs saturday ... I believe Marshall did that every qtr. in Blacksburg, hehe .... Anyway, it's a game that's caught my eye ...
LOUISIANA TECH PENN STATE
Points 17 49
1st Downs 24 23
3rd Down Eff. 9-20 4-10
Total Net Yards 463 471
Rush Yards 55 297
Rushes 23 45
Average per Rush 2.4 6.6
Pass Yards 408 174
Comp-Att 39-62 14-21
Av. per Comp 10.5 12.4
Punts-Average 7-32.9 6-38.2
Sacked-Yards Lost 0-0 0-0
Had Intercepted 3 0
Penalties-Yards 3-35 5-35
Fumbles-Lost 1-1 1-0
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Penn State Touchdown - Michael Robinson runs to the right for 18 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 8 plays, 83 yards (10:39 left)
Louisiana Tech 0, Penn State 7
Louisiana Tech Touchdown - Luke McCown passes to D.J. Curry down the middle for 7 yards (Josh Scobee kick)
Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards (8:17 left)
Louisiana Tech 7, Penn State 7
Penn State Touchdown - Zack Mills passes to Larry Johnson to the right for 19 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 6 plays, 80 yards (6:02 left)
Louisiana Tech 7, Penn State 14
Louisiana Tech Field Goal - Josh Scobee kicks a 19-yard field goal
Drive: 8 plays, 78 yards (3:08 left)
Louisiana Tech 10, Penn State 14
2nd Quarter
Penn State Touchdown - Michael Robinson runs to the right for 6 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 7 plays, 81 yards (9:05 left)
Louisiana Tech 10, Penn State 21
3rd Quarter
Louisiana Tech Touchdown - Luke McCown passes to Ahmad Harris down the middle for 9 yards (Josh Scobee kick)
Drive: 9 plays, 80 yards (12:31 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 21
Penn State Touchdown - Michael Robinson runs to the right for 5 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 3 plays, 29 yards (8:30 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 28
Penn State Touchdown - Luke McCown throws an interception down the right side of the field, 29-yard return by Paul Cronin (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 0 plays, 29 yards (3:09 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 35
Penn State Touchdown - Larry Johnson runs to the right for 4 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 2 plays, 60 yards (1:11 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 42
Penn State Touchdown - Larry Johnson runs to the right for 3 yards (Robbie Gould kick)
Drive: 1 play, 3 yards (0:00 left)
Louisiana Tech 17, Penn State 49
I listened to much of this game... La Tech moved twice 9 plays, 80 yards TD drives, and got to chip shot FG and missed, got to 2 YL and settled for FG .... After the game got tite, 21-17, Penn st overwhelmed La Tech in a 3Q blizzard of short field and defensive TDs or ones set up that way .... PSU RB Larry Johnson ran for 167 yards, avg. nearly 9 YPC ... Not sure aggies OL can punch those type of holes
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By Olin Buchanan
AMERICAN-STATESMAN STAFF
Sunday, September 22, 2002
COLLEGE STATION -- One way to attack a problem is to narrow down the reasons it might exist. To that end, Texas A&M's football team accomplished something on Saturday. The Aggies now know without a doubt that the problems plaguing their plodding offense can't be blamed solely on inferior quarterback play. One-time starting quarterback Mark Farris, the designated scapegoat in previous lackluster showings against Louisiana-Lafayette and Pittsburgh, did not leave the sidelines Saturday afternoon.
Yet the offense -- whether led by sophomore Dustin Long or freshman Reggie McNeal -- was so inept that not even a Herculean defensive effort could save the No. 19 Aggies in a 13-3 loss to No. 7 Virginia Tech, which ended A&M's streak of 29 straight wins against nonconference opponents at Kyle Field. "We are going to enjoy this one," Virginia Tech Coach Frank Beamer said. "We didn't let the crowd really affect us. When you do something no one's done in 13 years, that's pretty special."
Again, the Wrecking Crew -- the nation's fourth-ranked defense -- was at its suffocating best, limiting Virginia Tech (4-0) to just 248 yards and holding the Hokies' star running duo of Lee Suggs and Kevin Jones to a combined 99 yards on 28 carries. But again, the offense could not hold up its end of the deal.
The Aggies (2-1) averaged just 2.5 yards on 63 plays for a meager 156 yards -- 61 coming in the fourth quarter, when the Hokies were playing it safe to protect a 10-point lead. "Our defense was very effective," A&M Coach R.C. Slocum said. "They gave us a chance to win the ballgame." A very slim chance. Winning would've required the Aggies to shut out the Hokies, who entered the game averaging 45.3 points per game. "We go into the game with the mentality that we've got to score points (on defense)," linebacker Brian Gamble said. "A&M for years has been based on strong defense and using defense to win the games. If we hold them to no points, we win the football game."
Instead, A&M's offense, which crossed the 50-yard line just once in the second half, nearly suffered a shutout. In his first collegiate start, Long completed 13 of 28 passes for just 111 yards and threw an interception. McNeal, the highly touted freshman, entered the game in the third quarter to a serenade of cheers from 83,764 fans, but he completed just 1 of 6 passes for seven yards, throwing an interception that led to a Virginia Tech field goal.
To complicate matters, A&M managed only 38 yards rushing. "The search for a quarterback is tied to the running game," Slocum said. "If we become a more effective passing team, demonstrate some mobility at the quarterback position and are able to get out and scramble and make some plays, I think it will take some pressure off the rushing game. The rushing game, in itself, needs work, too." Long started fast by completing his first five passes, including a 10-yarder to Jamaar Taylor to set up Todd Pegram's 43-yard field goal for an early 3-0 lead.
The margin stood until Carter Warley kicked a 22-yard field goal with 57 seconds to play in the second quarter to mark the first time this season A&M had allowed points in the first half. McNeal came in on the Aggies' first possession of the second half, but his second pass was intercepted by Vegas Robinson at the A&M 12, which led to a 26-yard Warley field goal.
The Aggies' most damaging mistake, ironically, was committed by the defense. Still leading just 6-3 in the fourth quarter, Virginia Tech quarterback Bryan Randall beat a blitz with a quick throw to Ernest Wilford, who eluded Byron Jones and raced 52 yards to the 1-yard line. Suggs scored the clinching touchdown on the next play. "Games like this are normally determined when somebody makes a big play," Slocum said. "One of the downsides of playing man coverage is there's not a lot of guys to help you. "It really affected how we played toward the end of the game. It was fairly early in the fourth quarter, and we started trying to conserve time. If it's a 6-3 ballgame, you're still in your regular flow of the game." Perhaps. But for A&M's offense, the regular flow wasn't a good thing.
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