Vol. 4 No.10

Game Recap Texas A&M vs. Southern Mississippi By Rusty Burson

COLLEGE STATION - As he glanced at the final statistics following Texas A&M's 23-6 victory over Southern Mississippi, running back Dante Hall looked as if he had just discovered last year's leftovers in the back of the refrigerator. Hall studied the stat sheet, rolled his eyes, wrinkled his nose and finally shook his head disgustedly.

Then, as quickly as he can shift directions on the field, Hall's facial expression went from grim to grin, as if reminded that to the victors go the spoils, not the spoiled.

"My numbers are uuuuugly," said Hall, who averaged just 1.4 yards per carry against the often stifling Southern Miss defense. "But hey, that's fine because the win was pretty. especially if you like defense."

If you like defense, consider making last Saturday's game a permanent part of the home video library. Southern Mississippi's defense was exceptional, holding the Aggies, who entered the game with the nation's No. 2-ranked offense, without an offensive touchdown for the first time since 1995.

Fortunately for the Aggies (3-0) and the majority of the 65,264 fans inside Kyle Field, the Wrecking Crew was even better. Pretty close to perfect, as a matter of fact.

Led by a pair of Jasons and a duo from Killeen, the A&M defense was both relentless and resourceful. Linebacker Jason Glenn and cornerback Jason Webster destroyed the Eagles' plans all afternoon and defensive backs Jay Brooks and Michael Jameson - both Killeen Ellison products - delivered the crushing blows by each returning an interception for a touchdown.

All told, the Aggies produced four sacks, four interceptions and four quarters of some of the most impressive defensive football in recent memory. USM's 129 yards of total offense against A&M was 225.7 yards less than the Eagles' season average and 164 less than what Southern Miss managed a week earlier against Nebraska.

"That was fun," A&M head coach R.C. Slocum said of his team's defensive performance. "That was vintage Wrecking Crew."

It was more than the Eagles could handle. USM's rushing game was completely shut down by the Aggies, who have now allowed just 68 rushing yards in three games (an average of 22.6 per game). Southern Miss picked up a mere 18 yards on the ground against A&M.

If not for a 54-yard touchdown pass from Cable Davis to Todd Pinkston early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles probably would have suffered the dubious dual distinction of being shut out and held to under 100 yards of total offense.

"We were a little disappointed about losing the shutout," said Brooks, who was beat on the TD pass about eight minutes after he had returned an interception 41 yards for a score. "But that (USM touchdown) was a perfect pass and catch. Sometimes, those things happen. But overall, we played well defensively as a team, and I was very pleased about getting that interception for a score."

While Brooks was pleased, his old high school teammate was inspired. Jokingly, Jameson said he was bemoaning the fact that he would have to listen to Brooks talk all week about his interception for a TD. Instead, Jameson came up with the equalizer midway through the fourth quarter that will undoubtedly leave Killeen talking for weeks to come.

"I bet everyone at home is excited for us," Jameson said. "I didn't talk to anybody (last) week, but Jay did, and he was telling everybody to watch the game on TV. This is a dream come true for both of us. He gets his fist pick of the year and scores a touchdown, and then I got one for a touchdown. That's a great feeling for us, and I'm sure we'll be the topic of conversation back home."

While the Killeen duo both took interceptions the distance, the distance of one Terence Kitchens field goal is bound to be the hot topic of conversation around water coolers, coffee pots or wherever else Aggies gather.

With the Aggie offense struggling in the red zone in the first half, Kitchens hit a pair of short field goals (20 and 28 yards) to give A&M a 6-0 lead in the second quarter. Then, on the final play of the first half, he put himself in the school record books and gave the Aggies an emotional lift going into the locker room.

Kitchens' 62-yard field goal, aided by a 14-mph wind, was the longest ever by an Aggie without the aid of a tee and the second-longest in NCAA history without a tee. And it came just two days after the former walk-on was awarded a scholarship.

"The Lord has blessed me beyond what I could have ever asked for," Kitchens said. "I was really thankful Thursday morning for getting the scholarship, and I'm really happy that my parents won't have to pay for my school anymore. Then, kicking a 62-yarder today, that was just unbelievable. The good Lord gave me the focus, along with the strength, to make it. It's just been an awesome week."

Kitchens' day, however, took a turn for the worse in the second half, as two field goal attempts were blocked and one never got off the ground because of a bobbled snap. Those kicks could have made things more comfortable for A&M in the second half, just as so many near misses on offense could have turned a tight game into a blowout.

The A&M offense expected a battle from the solid USM defense, but at times, the Aggies certainly aided the Eagles' defensive plans. The Aggies dropped a pass in the end zone, had several passes overthrown, started five drives inside USM territory without producing a touchdown and constantly seemed to be one block or one inch from breaking things open.
A&M produced 299 yards of total offense - 118 more than last year at Southern Miss - but it could have been much more.

"We have the tools to be a very good offense, so it's frustrating that we're just a bit off," said quarterback Randy McCown, who was 12-of-29 for 134 yards. "The plays seem to be there, but a lot of times, it seems like maybe just one person is a little off. We moved the ball well at times, but whether it was me not hitting the pass, somebody dropping a pass or somebody missing a block, it just seems like we're a hair off. A win is a win, but this was kind of ugly at times."

Unless, of course, you like defense. And lots of it.

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