Texas A&M Aggies: Dustin Harris
While there was one area where inconsistency reigned, special teams overall were solid for Texas A&M in 2012.
The kick and punt coverage units were good, and the Aggies were solid in the return game, particularly on punt returns. Punting was an area where the Aggies were solid as well.
The kick and punt coverage units were good, and the Aggies were solid in the return game, particularly on punt returns. Punting was an area where the Aggies were solid as well.
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Having the same combination of players in the secondary from week to week wasn't a common occurrence for Texas A&M in 2012.
Whether it was an injury or simply trying fit the right pieces into the right places, the defensive backfield was an area where the Aggies moved a lot of pieces.
The unit had its ups and downs but returns plenty of experience for 2013.
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Texas A&M Aggies Class of 2009 review 
January, 24, 2013
Jan 24
8:00
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
The 2012 season was one to remember for Texas A&M.
The Aggies' first season in the Southeastern Conference was better than almost anyone could expect. And while much of the focus centered around a redshirt freshman -- Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel -- first-year A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin repeatedly praised his seniors for their leadership and buying in when they didn't have to.
As Sumlin often said this year, "They didn't sign up to play for us."
The Aggies' first season in the Southeastern Conference was better than almost anyone could expect. And while much of the focus centered around a redshirt freshman -- Heisman Trophy winning quarterback Johnny Manziel -- first-year A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin repeatedly praised his seniors for their leadership and buying in when they didn't have to.
As Sumlin often said this year, "They didn't sign up to play for us."
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Texas A&M capped off its memorable first season as a Southeastern Conference member with a dominant 41-13 win over No. 11 Oklahoma in the AT&T Cotton Bowl on Friday. The win gave the No. 9 Aggies an 11-2 record for the season and assured that they will finish with a top-10 ranking for the first time since 1994. Here's a look at three plays that helped the Aggies finish on the winning side against the Sooners:
Situation: Texas A&M ball, third-and-9 at the Oklahoma 23 (12:33 left, first quarter).
Score: Texas A&M 0, Oklahoma 0.
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Each week this season, GigEmNation ranked Texas A&M's top 10 performers of the season. After the Aggies' dominating 41-13 win over Oklahoma in the AT&T Cotton Bowl, here's a look at who we think shined brightest throughout the entire year:
1. QB Johnny Manziel
The redshirt freshman quarterback not only won the Heisman Trophy, but followed it up with a terrific performance in the Cotton Bowl, setting the bowl's record for total yards (516). He finished the year 5,116 total yards and 47 touchdowns.
1. QB Johnny Manziel
The redshirt freshman quarterback not only won the Heisman Trophy, but followed it up with a terrific performance in the Cotton Bowl, setting the bowl's record for total yards (516). He finished the year 5,116 total yards and 47 touchdowns.
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Grading the positions: Special teams
December, 27, 2012
12/27/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
In the weeks leading up to Texas A&M's bowl game, GigEmNation will take a look back at how the Aggies performed position by position and give each group a grade based on that performance. Today, we conclude the series with a look at the special teams:
Highlights: The first thought that might come to the mind of many Aggies when thinking about special teams is the inconsistency in the field goal department. But special teams is more than field goals, and there was a lot of good about Texas A&M in the third phase in the game. As a team, the Aggies ranked ninth in the nation in net punting (40.3 yard net average per punt). Punter Ryan Epperson didn't have enough punts to make the FBS leaders, but if he did, he would have ranked in the top 30 in gross average per punt (42.8 yards). The Aggies also were good covering kicks and punts. They ranked 17th in the nation in kickoff return yardage defense and 27th in punt return yardage defense. And senior Dustin Harris finished 11th in the country in punt return average (13.1 yards per return) and the Aggies ranked 12th as a team in the category.
Lowlights: The biggest lowlight was the aforementioned field goal struggles. Redshirt freshman Taylor Bertolet hit just 13-of-22 attempts, making field goals at a 59.1 percent clip. He was good inside the 30 (8-of-9 attempts) and from 50 or longer (3-of-4). It was from 30-49 yards that he was at his worst. He hit 2-of-9 attempts from that distance (1-of-6 from 30-39 yards; 1-of-3 from 40-49 yards). The inconsistency was frustrating for Aggies observers, especially considering his ability to hit from long range (he had a long of 54). On the bright side, he was good on kickoffs, recording 61 touchbacks on 96 kickoffs.
Highlights: The first thought that might come to the mind of many Aggies when thinking about special teams is the inconsistency in the field goal department. But special teams is more than field goals, and there was a lot of good about Texas A&M in the third phase in the game. As a team, the Aggies ranked ninth in the nation in net punting (40.3 yard net average per punt). Punter Ryan Epperson didn't have enough punts to make the FBS leaders, but if he did, he would have ranked in the top 30 in gross average per punt (42.8 yards). The Aggies also were good covering kicks and punts. They ranked 17th in the nation in kickoff return yardage defense and 27th in punt return yardage defense. And senior Dustin Harris finished 11th in the country in punt return average (13.1 yards per return) and the Aggies ranked 12th as a team in the category.
Lowlights: The biggest lowlight was the aforementioned field goal struggles. Redshirt freshman Taylor Bertolet hit just 13-of-22 attempts, making field goals at a 59.1 percent clip. He was good inside the 30 (8-of-9 attempts) and from 50 or longer (3-of-4). It was from 30-49 yards that he was at his worst. He hit 2-of-9 attempts from that distance (1-of-6 from 30-39 yards; 1-of-3 from 40-49 yards). The inconsistency was frustrating for Aggies observers, especially considering his ability to hit from long range (he had a long of 54). On the bright side, he was good on kickoffs, recording 61 touchbacks on 96 kickoffs.
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In the weeks leading up to Texas A&M's bowl game, GigEmNation will take a look back at how the Aggies performed position-by-position and give each group a grade based on that performance. Today, we look at the cornerbacks.
Highlights: In the biggest game of the year, it was a cornerback (Deshazor Everett) that made the biggest play, coming up with an interception of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron in the Aggies' 29-24 upset win over the then-No. 1 Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala. That play, in the context of that game, seemed to be a fitting sign of the cornerbacks' growth all season. There were some bumps in the road (big pass plays were yielded that allowed the Crimson Tide to stay within striking distance) but when the chips were down, the group made plays. Senior Dustin Harris morphed into a leader for the group and led the team in pass breakups with 10. Everett, who played in 11 of 12 games, had the task of going back and forth from corner to safety and handled it well, finishing with seven pass breakups and two interceptions. True freshman De'Vante Harris started seven games, a huge task for a true freshman at any position in the SEC and nickel cornerback Toney Hurd (who also spent time working at safety) played well when lining up at corner and tied with safety Steven Terrell to lead the entire secondary in tackles with 58.
Lowlights: There were some struggles early in the season when it came to tackling (defensive coordinator Mark Snyder called it "ankle-biting") that could be seen against Florida and in a big pass play or two against Arkansas. The Louisiana Tech game was a struggle as Aggies yielded a season-high 450 passing yards that day. As mentioned before, there were some big plays given up in the Alabama game as the Crimson Tide tried to stage a comeback. Some might point to the Aggies ranking 79th nationally in passing yardage defense as a sign of struggles, but it's worth noting that they had large leads on many teams early and some of those yards were compiled against reserves or in the midst of blowouts when the game was decided.
Highlights: In the biggest game of the year, it was a cornerback (Deshazor Everett) that made the biggest play, coming up with an interception of Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron in the Aggies' 29-24 upset win over the then-No. 1 Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa, Ala. That play, in the context of that game, seemed to be a fitting sign of the cornerbacks' growth all season. There were some bumps in the road (big pass plays were yielded that allowed the Crimson Tide to stay within striking distance) but when the chips were down, the group made plays. Senior Dustin Harris morphed into a leader for the group and led the team in pass breakups with 10. Everett, who played in 11 of 12 games, had the task of going back and forth from corner to safety and handled it well, finishing with seven pass breakups and two interceptions. True freshman De'Vante Harris started seven games, a huge task for a true freshman at any position in the SEC and nickel cornerback Toney Hurd (who also spent time working at safety) played well when lining up at corner and tied with safety Steven Terrell to lead the entire secondary in tackles with 58.
Lowlights: There were some struggles early in the season when it came to tackling (defensive coordinator Mark Snyder called it "ankle-biting") that could be seen against Florida and in a big pass play or two against Arkansas. The Louisiana Tech game was a struggle as Aggies yielded a season-high 450 passing yards that day. As mentioned before, there were some big plays given up in the Alabama game as the Crimson Tide tried to stage a comeback. Some might point to the Aggies ranking 79th nationally in passing yardage defense as a sign of struggles, but it's worth noting that they had large leads on many teams early and some of those yards were compiled against reserves or in the midst of blowouts when the game was decided.
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Dramatic change in a year's time for Aggies
December, 3, 2012
12/03/12
11:00
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- A year ago at this time, Texas A&M football was at an important crossroads.
The program sought out a new head coach, having dismissed Mike Sherman, who went 25-25 in four seasons there. The crosshairs in the process appeared to be set on Houston's Kevin Sumlin, who went 35-17 through four seasons in Houston and lifted the Cougars high into the national rankings in both 2009 and 2011.
The Aggies were coming off a 6-6 year (which would become 7-6 after a win over Northwestern in the Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas), one that had high preseason expectations, including a top-10 ranking. A year that was supposed to be filled with success was instead marred with second-half collapses and a wondering about where things were headed. With the transition from the Big 12 to the Southeastern Conference on tap, the leadership felt a new direction was needed. Sumlin was eventually tabbed to lead the Aggies into the SEC -- and since then, things have drastically changed.
The last 365 days, give or take a few, have been transformative for the program. Sumlin has injected an energy and swagger into the program that has fueled the Aggies' 10-2 season. After graduating a top-10, first-round pick at quarterback (Ryan Tannehill), a redshirt freshman named Johnny Manziel has stepped in and shattered records and become a Heisman Trophy candidate. Texas A&M is ranked in the top 10 (No. 9) and the recruiting momentum that the Aggies are building is strong, as they're quickly becoming a premier destination for recruits by offering the combination of quality facilities, college football's premier conference and a chance to win in that conference.
What a difference a year makes.
Some of the things the Aggies accomplished this season seemed like pipe dreams at the start of the year. A potential Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback? Going into fall camp, Sumlin and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury had not even named a starter at the position, with redshirt sophomores Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel battling Manziel.
Even for the quarterback himself, often called by his nickname, "Johnny Football," it's a little unbelievable.
"It’s crazy," he said "It’s so surreal for me to even be mentioned in the same category or in the same sentence as the Heisman Trophy. It would be a dream come true for me to even go to New York and sit down, after years and years of watching guys that I looked up to get dressed up and sit on the front row and hope that their name is called. So for me, it would be a dream come true and something that I would cherish forever."
While Manziel has played a major role in the Aggies' success, so has the leadership of the team -- and not just Sumlin and the coaching staff, but the senior class of players. Guys like linebackers Sean Porter and Jonathan Stewart, safety Steven Terrell, defensive tackle Spencer Nealy, center Patrick Lewis, receivers Ryan Swope and Uzoma Nwachukwu and cornerback/return specialist Dustin Harris have been a big reason the Aggies are a top-10 team this year.
For starters, Sumlin said, they bought in to what the new coaching staff was selling and the idea that they could be successful in the SEC, despite what others said.
"It really was just guys having faith; belief without proof," Sumlin said. "Coming into the year, we really didn't care what everybody else's expectations were ... I think that what these seniors have done is to really set the tone for how to do things away from Saturday. There was a big change in that type of culture."
Sherman said something interesting in his final news conference as the Aggies' coach, after flatly stating that he felt he didn't deserved to be fired.
"I feel like the program is definitely headed in the right direction and I hope the next coach appreciates the opportunity he's going to get to work with these players," he said.
Though some changes fueled this signature season, the first since 1998 in which the Aggies have won 10 games, it turns out Sherman was right.
While many had questions about what could be for the Aggies in the SEC, the players were confident. When asked after the final game of the season whether he could have imagined the season turning out the way it has, Porter took it a step further, demonstrating the confidence the team carried throughout the year.
"It's not as good as I thought it could be," Porter said. "Like Jonathan said, we thought we were going to win all of our games. We truthfully thought that. A lot of people were giving us crap about it at the beginning of the season. I remember going into SEC media day and all those guys in there were looking at me like we were going to be some kind of doormat or something, but this entire time we've had a lot of confidence, and we have confidence in the type of players that we have. I've said it since the beginning of the season: We have the same caliber of athletes as anybody does in the nation. I think this was a great season for us to come out and prove that, and A&M is just going to go up from here."
The program sought out a new head coach, having dismissed Mike Sherman, who went 25-25 in four seasons there. The crosshairs in the process appeared to be set on Houston's Kevin Sumlin, who went 35-17 through four seasons in Houston and lifted the Cougars high into the national rankings in both 2009 and 2011.
[+] Enlarge
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesAt this time last season, Texas A&M was looking for a head coach after firing Mike Sherman.
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesAt this time last season, Texas A&M was looking for a head coach after firing Mike Sherman.The last 365 days, give or take a few, have been transformative for the program. Sumlin has injected an energy and swagger into the program that has fueled the Aggies' 10-2 season. After graduating a top-10, first-round pick at quarterback (Ryan Tannehill), a redshirt freshman named Johnny Manziel has stepped in and shattered records and become a Heisman Trophy candidate. Texas A&M is ranked in the top 10 (No. 9) and the recruiting momentum that the Aggies are building is strong, as they're quickly becoming a premier destination for recruits by offering the combination of quality facilities, college football's premier conference and a chance to win in that conference.
What a difference a year makes.
Some of the things the Aggies accomplished this season seemed like pipe dreams at the start of the year. A potential Heisman Trophy winner at quarterback? Going into fall camp, Sumlin and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury had not even named a starter at the position, with redshirt sophomores Jameill Showers and Matt Joeckel battling Manziel.
Even for the quarterback himself, often called by his nickname, "Johnny Football," it's a little unbelievable.
"It’s crazy," he said "It’s so surreal for me to even be mentioned in the same category or in the same sentence as the Heisman Trophy. It would be a dream come true for me to even go to New York and sit down, after years and years of watching guys that I looked up to get dressed up and sit on the front row and hope that their name is called. So for me, it would be a dream come true and something that I would cherish forever."
While Manziel has played a major role in the Aggies' success, so has the leadership of the team -- and not just Sumlin and the coaching staff, but the senior class of players. Guys like linebackers Sean Porter and Jonathan Stewart, safety Steven Terrell, defensive tackle Spencer Nealy, center Patrick Lewis, receivers Ryan Swope and Uzoma Nwachukwu and cornerback/return specialist Dustin Harris have been a big reason the Aggies are a top-10 team this year.
For starters, Sumlin said, they bought in to what the new coaching staff was selling and the idea that they could be successful in the SEC, despite what others said.
"It really was just guys having faith; belief without proof," Sumlin said. "Coming into the year, we really didn't care what everybody else's expectations were ... I think that what these seniors have done is to really set the tone for how to do things away from Saturday. There was a big change in that type of culture."
Sherman said something interesting in his final news conference as the Aggies' coach, after flatly stating that he felt he didn't deserved to be fired.
"I feel like the program is definitely headed in the right direction and I hope the next coach appreciates the opportunity he's going to get to work with these players," he said.
Though some changes fueled this signature season, the first since 1998 in which the Aggies have won 10 games, it turns out Sherman was right.
While many had questions about what could be for the Aggies in the SEC, the players were confident. When asked after the final game of the season whether he could have imagined the season turning out the way it has, Porter took it a step further, demonstrating the confidence the team carried throughout the year.
"It's not as good as I thought it could be," Porter said. "Like Jonathan said, we thought we were going to win all of our games. We truthfully thought that. A lot of people were giving us crap about it at the beginning of the season. I remember going into SEC media day and all those guys in there were looking at me like we were going to be some kind of doormat or something, but this entire time we've had a lot of confidence, and we have confidence in the type of players that we have. I've said it since the beginning of the season: We have the same caliber of athletes as anybody does in the nation. I think this was a great season for us to come out and prove that, and A&M is just going to go up from here."
3 Up, 3 Down: Texas A&M 59, Missouri 29
November, 25, 2012
11/25/12
8:00
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M closed out its regular season with a resounding 59-29 victory over Missouri on Saturday before 87,222 at Kyle Field. Let's look at the highs and lows from the victory:
THREE UP
1. 10 wins: The Aggies secured their 10th win, marking the first time since 1998 that Texas A&M has accomplished that feat. They finished 10-2 on the regular season and 6-2 in the SEC, good for a tie with LSU for second place in the SEC West.
THREE UP
1. 10 wins: The Aggies secured their 10th win, marking the first time since 1998 that Texas A&M has accomplished that feat. They finished 10-2 on the regular season and 6-2 in the SEC, good for a tie with LSU for second place in the SEC West.
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Each week throughout the season, GigEmNation will take a look at the Aggies players who are on awards watch lists and how they fare. Here's a glance what each player has accomplished after the Aggies' 24-19 loss to LSU:
WR Mike Evans, Fr.: Biletnikoff
Evans caught 6 passes for 76 yards in the loss to LSU. For the season he still leads the Aggies in receptions (42) and receiving yards (625).
CB Dustin Harris, Sr.: Hornung
Harris had 3 punt returns for a total of 16 yards. His longest return was 11 yards. On defense, he finished with 4 tackles and a pass breakup. For the year, Harris ranks 14th in the nation in punt return average (14.4 yards per return). He also leads the Aggies in pass breakups with 9.
QB Johnny Manziel, Fr.: O'Brien
The redshirt freshman quarterback was named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award on Monday. The O'Brien is an award for the nation's best quarterback. On Saturday he went 29-of-56 for 276 yards and 3 interceptions while rushing for 27 yards. For the season, Manziel is No. 3 nationally in total offense (379.9 yards per game), fourth in points responsible for per game (20.6) and 15th in passing yards per game(279.4). He's no. 1 among freshmen in all of those categories.
RB Christine Michael, Sr.: Maxwell, Doak Walker
Michael scored a touchdown for the second straight game and gained 27 yards on 8 carries. For the year he has 196 yards and 5 touchdowns on 49 carries.
DE Damontre Moore, Jr.: Hendricks
Moore led the Aggies in tackles again Saturday, recording 10. He also had 2 tackles for loss, a sack, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. He now leads the country in tackles for loss (17) and sacks (9.5).
WR Uzoma Nwachukwu, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Nwachukwu caught two passes for 44 yards against LSU. For the season he's fourth on the team in catches with 13 and has 203 yards and 4 touchdowns as well.
LB Sean Porter, Sr.: Bednarik, Butkus
Porter had 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a sack against the Tigers. For the season, Porter is third on the team in tackles (40), has 3 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
WR Ryan Swope, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Swope caught 10 passes for 81 yards in the loss to LSU. He's second on the Aggies in receptions (30) for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns.
WR Mike Evans, Fr.: Biletnikoff
Evans caught 6 passes for 76 yards in the loss to LSU. For the season he still leads the Aggies in receptions (42) and receiving yards (625).
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Harris had 3 punt returns for a total of 16 yards. His longest return was 11 yards. On defense, he finished with 4 tackles and a pass breakup. For the year, Harris ranks 14th in the nation in punt return average (14.4 yards per return). He also leads the Aggies in pass breakups with 9.
QB Johnny Manziel, Fr.: O'Brien
The redshirt freshman quarterback was named a semifinalist for the Davey O'Brien Award on Monday. The O'Brien is an award for the nation's best quarterback. On Saturday he went 29-of-56 for 276 yards and 3 interceptions while rushing for 27 yards. For the season, Manziel is No. 3 nationally in total offense (379.9 yards per game), fourth in points responsible for per game (20.6) and 15th in passing yards per game(279.4). He's no. 1 among freshmen in all of those categories.
RB Christine Michael, Sr.: Maxwell, Doak Walker
Michael scored a touchdown for the second straight game and gained 27 yards on 8 carries. For the year he has 196 yards and 5 touchdowns on 49 carries.
DE Damontre Moore, Jr.: Hendricks
Moore led the Aggies in tackles again Saturday, recording 10. He also had 2 tackles for loss, a sack, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry. He now leads the country in tackles for loss (17) and sacks (9.5).
WR Uzoma Nwachukwu, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Nwachukwu caught two passes for 44 yards against LSU. For the season he's fourth on the team in catches with 13 and has 203 yards and 4 touchdowns as well.
LB Sean Porter, Sr.: Bednarik, Butkus
Porter had 7 tackles, 1 tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a sack against the Tigers. For the season, Porter is third on the team in tackles (40), has 3 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
WR Ryan Swope, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Swope caught 10 passes for 81 yards in the loss to LSU. He's second on the Aggies in receptions (30) for 380 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Each week throughout the season, GigEmNation will take a look at the Aggies players who are on awards watch lists and how they fare. Here's a glance what each player has accomplished after the Aggies' thrilling 59-57 win over Louisiana Tech:
WR Mike Evans, Fr.: Biletnikoff
Evans was added to the Biletnikoff watch list on Tuesday after a strong first half of the season. Evans has caught a team-high 36 passes for 549 yards and two touchdowns. He has been quarterback Johnny Manziel's go-to guy so far this season and had four catches for 137 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown against Louisiana Tech. He's 22nd in the country in receiving yards per game (91.5).
CB Dustin Harris, Sr.: Hornung
Harris had two punt returns for 26 yards, including a long of 16, against Louisiana Tech. On defense, he had eight tackles, tied for second on the team, and had a pass breakup. For the season, he's averaging 15.7 yards per punt return (11th in the nation) and he leads the team in pass breakups with eight.
RB Christine Michael, Sr.: Maxwell, Doak Walker
Michael started the scoring off for the Aggies with a 40-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. That was his longest run of the night and he finished with 65 yards on 12 carries. For the season, he's third on the team in rushing yards with 169 and four touchdowns on 41 carries.
DE Damontre Moore, Jr.: Hendricks
Moore had a whopping 17 tackles to lead the team against the Bulldogs. In addition, he had 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and blocked a PAT attempt. He now has the team lead in tackles (52), tackles for loss (15) and sacks (8.5). He leads the nation in tackles for loss and is tied for second in sacks.
WR Uzoma Nwachukwu, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Nwachukwu caught two passes for 37 yards in the win over Louisiana Tech. For the season, he's fourth on the team in receptions with 11 for 159 yards and four touchdowns.
LB Sean Porter, Sr.: Bednarik, Butkus
Porter had six tackles, a half-tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry in the win over the Bulldogs. For the year, Porter is fourth on the team in tackles with 33 and he also has two tackles for loss, a half sack, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.
WR Ryan Swope, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Swope caught one pass for 5 yards and left the game in the first half after absorbing a hit from Louisiana Tech defensive back Craig Johnson. Swope did not return to the game after the hit. He is tied for second on the team with 20 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
WR Mike Evans, Fr.: Biletnikoff
Evans was added to the Biletnikoff watch list on Tuesday after a strong first half of the season. Evans has caught a team-high 36 passes for 549 yards and two touchdowns. He has been quarterback Johnny Manziel's go-to guy so far this season and had four catches for 137 yards, including a 75-yard touchdown against Louisiana Tech. He's 22nd in the country in receiving yards per game (91.5).
CB Dustin Harris, Sr.: Hornung
Harris had two punt returns for 26 yards, including a long of 16, against Louisiana Tech. On defense, he had eight tackles, tied for second on the team, and had a pass breakup. For the season, he's averaging 15.7 yards per punt return (11th in the nation) and he leads the team in pass breakups with eight.
RB Christine Michael, Sr.: Maxwell, Doak Walker
Michael started the scoring off for the Aggies with a 40-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. That was his longest run of the night and he finished with 65 yards on 12 carries. For the season, he's third on the team in rushing yards with 169 and four touchdowns on 41 carries.
DE Damontre Moore, Jr.: Hendricks
Moore had a whopping 17 tackles to lead the team against the Bulldogs. In addition, he had 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks and blocked a PAT attempt. He now has the team lead in tackles (52), tackles for loss (15) and sacks (8.5). He leads the nation in tackles for loss and is tied for second in sacks.
WR Uzoma Nwachukwu, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Nwachukwu caught two passes for 37 yards in the win over Louisiana Tech. For the season, he's fourth on the team in receptions with 11 for 159 yards and four touchdowns.
LB Sean Porter, Sr.: Bednarik, Butkus
Porter had six tackles, a half-tackle for loss, a pass breakup and a quarterback hurry in the win over the Bulldogs. For the year, Porter is fourth on the team in tackles with 33 and he also has two tackles for loss, a half sack, a pass breakup and two quarterback hurries.
WR Ryan Swope, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Swope caught one pass for 5 yards and left the game in the first half after absorbing a hit from Louisiana Tech defensive back Craig Johnson. Swope did not return to the game after the hit. He is tied for second on the team with 20 catches for 299 yards and three touchdowns.
Staff prediction, matchups to watch
October, 12, 2012
10/12/12
1:42
PM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Texas A&M 48, Louisiana Tech 27
Louisiana Tech is a good team, but if the Bulldogs can't get stops, it's going to be a long night. The Bulldogs rank 119th in the country in total defense in passing defense and 106th in scoring defense. With Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel's playmaking ability, the emergence of Ben Malena and the running game and the plethora of receiving weapons the Aggies have to choose from led by Mike Evans and Ryan Swope (not to mention an elite offensive line), expect the Aggies to pile up the points. And the Bulldogs haven't played a team as talented as the Aggies are on both sides of the ball. Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron hasn't thrown an interception this year and if he takes care of the ball like that again, it could be a closer game. But the Aggies likely have too much firepower for the Bulldogs here.
Player to watch: Donnie Baggs, Texas A&M
Louisiana Tech is a good team, but if the Bulldogs can't get stops, it's going to be a long night. The Bulldogs rank 119th in the country in total defense in passing defense and 106th in scoring defense. With Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel's playmaking ability, the emergence of Ben Malena and the running game and the plethora of receiving weapons the Aggies have to choose from led by Mike Evans and Ryan Swope (not to mention an elite offensive line), expect the Aggies to pile up the points. And the Bulldogs haven't played a team as talented as the Aggies are on both sides of the ball. Louisiana Tech quarterback Colby Cameron hasn't thrown an interception this year and if he takes care of the ball like that again, it could be a closer game. But the Aggies likely have too much firepower for the Bulldogs here.
Player to watch: Donnie Baggs, Texas A&M
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GigEmNation is taking a weekly position-by-position look at the 2014 recruiting class as it relates to Texas A&M, whom the Aggies are targeting, as well as 2013 commits and who on the roster will graduate. Today, we begin with the cornerback position.
2013 commits: Noel Ellis, New Orleans Edna Karr; Tavares Garner, Manvel (Texas) High School
Cornerbacks who'll graduate: Dustin Harris
2013 commits: Noel Ellis, New Orleans Edna Karr; Tavares Garner, Manvel (Texas) High School
Cornerbacks who'll graduate: Dustin Harris
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Each week throughout the season, GigEmNation will take a look at the Aggies players who are on awards watch lists and how they fare. Here's a glance what each player has accomplished after the Aggies' 30-27 win over Mississippi:
CB Dustin Harris, Sr.: Hornung
Harris had a rough day in the return game, netting minus-1 yard on two punt returns. He muffed one punt that resulted in a turnover. On defense he fared better, recording three tackles and three pass breakups. For the season, Harris is averaging 15.9 yards per punt return on 20 attempts and has a team-high seven pass breakups on defense.
RB Christine Michael, Sr.: Maxwell, Doak Walker
Michael had four carries for 21 yards and two catches for 14 yards in the victory over Ole Miss. He also fumbled once. For the season, Michael has 29 carries for 104 yards and three touchdowns and six catches for 35 yards.
DE Damontre Moore, Jr.: Hendricks
Moore recorded his seventh sack of the season and tied for a team-high eight tackles in the win. He also had two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. For the season, he's tied for the nation's lead in tackles for loss (12.5) and tied for third in sacks. He's second on the team in total tackles with 35.
WR Uzoma Nwachukwu, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Nwachukwu had one catch for minus-3 yards. For the season, he's fourth on the team in receptions with nine for 122 yards and four touchdowns.
LB Sean Porter, Sr.: Bednarik, Butkus
Porter tied for the team lead with eight tackles in the win over Mississippi. The pressure he applied on Mississippi quarterback Bo Wallace late in the second quarter resulted in a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown by Steven Jenkins. For the season, Porter is fifth on the team with 27 tackles and has 1.5 tackles for loss and a half-sack.
WR Ryan Swope, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Swope caught two passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Ole Miss. His first catch resulted in a fumble, but he atoned for it with the game-winning 20-yard touchdown reception with 1:46 remaining. For the season, he has 19 catches (second on the team) for 294 yards and three touchdowns.
CB Dustin Harris, Sr.: Hornung
Harris had a rough day in the return game, netting minus-1 yard on two punt returns. He muffed one punt that resulted in a turnover. On defense he fared better, recording three tackles and three pass breakups. For the season, Harris is averaging 15.9 yards per punt return on 20 attempts and has a team-high seven pass breakups on defense.
RB Christine Michael, Sr.: Maxwell, Doak Walker
Michael had four carries for 21 yards and two catches for 14 yards in the victory over Ole Miss. He also fumbled once. For the season, Michael has 29 carries for 104 yards and three touchdowns and six catches for 35 yards.
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Moore recorded his seventh sack of the season and tied for a team-high eight tackles in the win. He also had two tackles for loss and a quarterback hurry. For the season, he's tied for the nation's lead in tackles for loss (12.5) and tied for third in sacks. He's second on the team in total tackles with 35.
WR Uzoma Nwachukwu, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Nwachukwu had one catch for minus-3 yards. For the season, he's fourth on the team in receptions with nine for 122 yards and four touchdowns.
LB Sean Porter, Sr.: Bednarik, Butkus
Porter tied for the team lead with eight tackles in the win over Mississippi. The pressure he applied on Mississippi quarterback Bo Wallace late in the second quarter resulted in a 37-yard interception return for a touchdown by Steven Jenkins. For the season, Porter is fifth on the team with 27 tackles and has 1.5 tackles for loss and a half-sack.
WR Ryan Swope, Sr.: Biletnikoff
Swope caught two passes for 58 yards and a touchdown in the victory over Ole Miss. His first catch resulted in a fumble, but he atoned for it with the game-winning 20-yard touchdown reception with 1:46 remaining. For the season, he has 19 catches (second on the team) for 294 yards and three touchdowns.
First glance: Breaking down La. Tech
October, 8, 2012
10/08/12
11:30
AM CT
By
Sam Khan Jr. | ESPN.com
Campus location: Ruston, La.
Nickname: Bulldogs
Conference: WAC
Record: 5-0
Record vs. Texas A&M: 0-9* (Louisiana Tech has lost all 10 meetings it has had with the Aggies but Texas A&M vacated a win in 1998 because of use of an ineligible player).
Nickname: Bulldogs
Conference: WAC
Record: 5-0
Record vs. Texas A&M: 0-9* (Louisiana Tech has lost all 10 meetings it has had with the Aggies but Texas A&M vacated a win in 1998 because of use of an ineligible player).
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Sam Khan Jr.
Sam Khan Jr. joined ESPN.com in 2012 after nearly seven years with the Houston Chronicle, covering the University of Houston, college sports and high school sports. Khan lives in Houston with his wife. He can be reached at skespn@gmail.com.