Texas A&M vs. Army Post Game Notes
Sep 27, 2008 | Football
Sept. 27, 2008
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TEXAS A&M POSTGAME NOTES
o The victory marked A&M's first victory at Kyle Field in 2008, and the first victory head coach Mike Sherman has been a part of at Kyle Field since A&M beat Oklahoma, 33-16, in 1996.
o The Aggies started four true freshmen against Army: wide receiver Tony Jerod-Eddie.
o True freshman Trent Hunter shined in his first career start with 17 tackles, including 11 solo hits.
o Another true freshman Cyrus Gray contributed a career-high 61 yards on 6 carries, and added 47 kickoff return yards on two tries.
o Running back Stephen McGee's 65-yard touchdown run against Montana State in last year's season-opener.
o Junior defensive end Paul Freeney's 58-yard fumble return marked the Aggies' second defensive touchdown on the year, and was the longest fumble return by A&M since Jonte Buhl's 98-yard touchdown return of Vince Young's fumble against Texas in 2004.
o Junior Jamie McCoy, who was a game captain for the first time against Army, had his second straight strong receiving game with a game-high five catches for 60 yards (both career highs) and a touchdown. McCoy had three catches for 43 yards last week against Miami.
o Army was 1-of-5 passing for just 4 yards. The last time A&M allowed fewer completions, attempts and yards was against Arkansas on Nov. 16, 1991 (a 13-3 A&M victory at Kyle Field). The Razorbacks were 0-of-3 for 0 yards.
o True freshman linebacker Ricky Cavanaugh took off his redshirt and saw the first action of his season against Army.
o Last week's starter at quarterback, Tony Jerod-Eddie at defensive tackle.
o The Aggies' first first down of the game came on A&M's first drive of the second quarter.
o Today's crowd of 84,090 was just shy of last weeks' season-high crowd of 84,165 for the Miami Hurricanes. It was the 27th 80,000-plus crowd in Kyle Field history and ranks as the No. 14-largest in stadium history.
o Representing the student body on the 12th Man Kickoff Team was senior Nick LaMantia, who logged his record 26th 12th Man assignment.
o Game captains were LaMantia, junior linebacker Jamie McCoy.
ARMY POSTGAME NOTES
TEAM
After opening its season with three straight home games, Army took to the road for the first time this season on Saturday, visiting Texas A&M at Kyle Field. It marked the Black Knights' second visit to College Station and first since Sept. 30, 1972.
Army fell to 0-4 on the season, dropping a 21-17 decision to Texas A&M on Saturday at Kyle Field in College Station, Texas. The Black Knights are now 1-3 all-time versus the Aggies.
The Black Knights' overall losing streak stretched to 10 games dating back to last year following Saturday's loss to Texas A&M. Army's last win dates back to a 20-17 defeat of Tulane on Oct. 6, 2007.
Army is now 11-18 all-time against teams that currently comprise the Big 12 Conference. Army's next scheduled meeting with a Big 12 opponent is set for Sept. 26, 2009, at Iowa State.
Army's losing streak in games played away from West Point stretched to 12 games with Saturday's setback to Texas A&M. The Black Knights' most recent victory away from Michie Stadium dates back to Sept. 23, 2006, when Army posted an overtime victory at Baylor.
The Black Knights saw one of their offensive fumbles returned for a touchdown for the third time this year when Matt Featherston scooped a Chip Bowden fumble and sprinted 42 yards for a score with seven seconds remaining in the first half. Army faced a third-and-two from the Aggie 37-yard line at the time of the turnover.
Saturday's announced crowd of 84,090 marked the largest crowd Army has played before since a 1986 visit to Neyland Stadium. Army upset Tennessee 25-21 in Knoxville that day (Oct. 11, 1986). The Black Knights played before a crowd of 80,795 at Notre Dame Stadium on Nov. 18, 2006.
OFFENSE
Sophomore QB Chip Bowden drew his first career start for the Black Knights on Saturday. Bowden saw reserve duty in each of Army's first three games. He suffered an ankle injury in the third quarter against Akron in Army's previous game and did not return.
Army was saddled with poor field position to start the game, beginning each of its first four possessions inside its own 15-yard line. The Black Knights held a 3-0 advantage in first downs in the first quarter and outgained the Aggies 55-20 in the opening stanza. Army crossed midfield for the first time in the first minute of the second quarter.
The Black Knights' stretch without a touchdown reached eight quarters after Army was shut out in the first stanza. Army went without a touchdown in its final three quarters against New Hampshire and did not reach paydirt versus Akron. When the Black Knights scored a touchdown on a 9-yard scamper by RB Tony Dace with 3:09 remaining in the second quarter it snapped a streak of 134:26 without a touchdown for Army. The streak spanned three games.
Senior RB Tony Dace registered his second touchdown of the season when he raced nine yards to paydirt late in the second quarter.
Chip Bowden established career highs in rushing attempts (34) and rushing yards (128) in the contest. It marked the first time an Army quarterback has rushed for at least 100 yards since Joe Gerena gained 122 ground yards on 15 carries opposite Ball State on Sept. 25, 1999. It also marked the first time an Army player has registered 30 carries in a game since Carlton Jones rushed 33 times (146 yards) against Air Force on Nov. 5, 2005.
Army's 17-play, 71-yard drive that consumed 8:16 of clock time on its first possession of the second half marked the Black Knights' longest drive of the season in both play number and clock time. The drive resulted in a 24-yard field goal by Matt Campbell.
Army finished with a season-high yards rushing. It marked the Black Knights' highest rushing total since they gained 300 ground yards against Arkansas State on Nov. 19, 2005.
Sophomore RB Tony Mealy scored his first career touchdown when he vaulted in from the four-yard line in the fourth quarter.
DEFENSE
Sophomore Josh McNary made his first career start at defensive end after starting at "will" linebacker in each of the Black Knights' first three games this season. McNary registered a sack on Army's first defensive play of the game.
Army's defense forced Texas A&M to punt without a first down on each of the Aggies' first three possessions. The Black Knights limited the Aggies to minus-four yards rushing on six first-quarter attempts.
Army did not allow Texas A&M its initial first down until the Aggies' fourth possession. It came with nine minutes remaining in the second quarter.
Senior LB Frank Scappaticci registered his third career interception, and first of the season, late in the second quarter.
After allowing just 131 yards of total offense in the first half, Army surrendered a 71-yard scoring drive to Texas A&M on the opening possession of the second half.
Sophomore LB Stephen Anderson notched three tackles for loss on Texas A&M's second drive of the third quarter. Anderson registered tackles for loss on back-to-back plays during one stretch, helping to force the Aggies out of field goal range after they had reached the Army 26-yard line. He finished the game with a career-high 10 stops.
Sophomore CB Jordan Trimble made a career-best 10 tackles.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Sophomore K Matt Campbell nailed a 24-yard field goal in the third capping a 17-play, 71-yard drive that consumed 8:16 off the game clock. It marked Army's longest drive of the season in both play number and duration. Campbell has hit all three of his field goal attempts this season.
