INSIDE SLANT

Despite beating Baylor soundly, 38-3, Texas A&M coach Mike Sherman couldn’t help but sound exasperated by an up-and-down season.

“These kids are about ready to give me a heart attack,” Sherman said. “One week it’s one thing; one week it’s something else. But I was proud of them. I thought they did a good job of responding to the challenge they had in front of them.”

That mission was to become bowl-eligible.

The Aggies indeed qualified, bouncing back from two straight defeats, including a 65-10 thumping at Oklahoma, to improve to 6-5 overall and 3-4 in the Big 12. They also left no doubt that the worst team in the South Division is again Baylor after Texas A&M carried that distinction a year ago by going winless against division rivals.

Whenever Texas A&M is successful, it usually exerts its might in the run game. The victory against Baylor was no exception. The Aggies rushed for a season-best 375 yards, including the longest carry in A&M history, a 97-yard touchdown burst by freshman Christine Michael.

Although freshmen contribute mightily for the Aggies, Sherman couldn’t help but thank his seniors, who will have one more home game remaining against unbeaten Texas on Thanksgiving.

“These seniors have had to deal with a couple of head coaches and deal with some adversity,” Sherman said. “We owe these guys a lot. They have kept things together for us.”

A&M is likely headed to the Independence Bowl or the Texas Bowl, which are at the bottom of the pecking order among bowls tied to the Big 12. Both sent representatives to the game against Baylor.

NOTES, QUOTES

• Becoming bowl-eligible, which Texas A&M achieved by defeating Baylor, does not guarantee a berth in the bowl. The Big 12 has bowl agreements for eight teams—nine if two league squads are including in the Bowl Championship Series mix. Eight Big 12 teams already are bowl-eligible and a ninth, Kansas, could earn that distinction by winning its final game. Texas A&M’s likely destination is either the Independence or Texas bowls.

• The 97-yard touchdown bolt by RB Christine Michael with 12:59 left in the first half was the longest play ever for Texas A&M. The longest rush previously was a 95-yarder by Tiki Hardman in 1996, and the longest play was a 96-yard pass from Randy McCown to Chris Taylor in 1999.

• Maybe Texas A&M should decline television appearances, in spite of the desired exposure. The Aggies have won all six of their games that weren’t televised, including the romp against Baylor. They stand 0-5 in televised games.

Game Ball Goes To:   FS Jordan Pugh—The senior has been invaluable all season and covered enough ground against Baylor to get credited for 14 tackles as Texas A&M kept the Bears out of the end zone. Pugh also snagged an interception and gave the Aggies some much-needed stability as a punt returner.

Keep An Eye On:   QB Jerrod Johnson—As he goes, so go the Aggies. Johnson was solid against Baylor, completing 19 of 25 passes for 153 yards and two interceptions. He also rushed for 83 yards and a touchdown on 16 attempts. He set the A&M season passing record with 2,875 yards.

Quote To Note:   “Of course I got winded, but I had to keep going. I thought to myself, ‘Hey, you might as well keep going, you ran this far.’”—Texas A&M RB Christine Michael, on his 97-yard touchdown run.

STRATEGY AND PERSONNEL

Looking Good:   Texas A&M took control of the game against Baylor by dominating the line of scrimmage. Big holes contributed to a 7.5-yard average per rush, which was also assisted nicely by a 97-yard touchdown burst from RB Christine Michael. The Aggies scored touchdowns on three of their first four drives, and the early lead was enough to overcome a couple of red zone busts, one on a fumble by Michael.

Still Needs Work:   Penalties continue to be a problem for the Aggies, as well as a reflection of their inexperience. Texas A&M was flagged for nine major infractions in the victory against Baylor, including six against the defense. That unit recovered nicely, snagging three interceptions while allowing just two conversions on 13 third-down tries. At some point, however, the Aggies must learn the art of controlled aggression. That said, Baylor scored just three points, despite separate drives that reached the A&M 14, 8, 13, 21 and 3 yard lines.

Roster Report:  

• WR Uzoma Nwachukwu, one of 18 freshmen to play for Texas A&M, caught three passes for 20 yards against Baylor. With 628 yards receiving, he is just two short of the school record for a true freshman, set last season by WR Jeff Fuller.

• WR Ryan Tannehill, who also serves as the backup quarterback, was the leading receiver for the Aggies against Baylor with four catches for 40 yards and one touchdown.