NCAA Football Preview (Texas A&M-North Texas)
Posted: Sat September 27, 1997 at 6:45 a.m EDT
Texas A&M (2-0) vs. North Texas (2-2) at Irving, TX
3:35 pm EDT
Texas A&M continues its tuneup for the rigors
of the Big 12 Conference as it battles North Texas at Texas
Stadium in Irving.
The Aggies (2-0) have overwhelmed lowly Sam Houston State and
Southwest Louisiana by a combined 125-6 thus far. Texas A&M
exacted revenge on the Rajun' Cajuns last week for a shocking
upset loss last year, administering a 66-0 beating.
Branndon Stewart threw for two touchdowns and ran for two more
as the Aggies forced eight turnovers and rolled up 399 yards of
total offense. Texas A&M has scored at least four touchdowns in
every quarter thus far and has allowed only first-half field
goals.
In limited playing time, Stewart has completed 14-of-23 passes
for 215 yards and two touchdowns. Backup Randy McCown has
played well, hitting on 15-of-23 for 224 yards and one score.
Donte Hall is averaging a whopping 10.4 yards per carry and has
209 rushing yards thus far. Led by the backfield trio of Hall,
Sirr Parker and D'Andre Hardeman, the Aggies are averaging 6.3
yards per carry and have 12 touchdowns on the ground.
The Mean Green (2-2) are coming off a 30-27 upset victory at
Texas Tech. Jason Mills completed 14-of-26 passes for 147 yards
and two touchdowns, including the game-winner to Bo Harrison
with 1:19 left.
Tight end Brian Waters will have to continue his solid play for
North Texas to have any chance of another upset. Waters leads
the team with 17 catches for 215 yards, including six for 58
against the Red Raiders. The Mean Green also have converted
4-of-5 fourth-down plays.
On the ground, North Texas is led by Hut Allred, who has rushed
for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Allred and Ja'Quay Wilburn
have combined for 442 of the Mean Green's 551 rushing yards.
Mills is 46-of-88 for 562 yards and five touchdowns.
Texas A&M has won all five meetings in what has been a lopsided
rivalry to date. The Aggies were coming off the upset loss to
Southwest Louisiana when they hammered North Texas 55-0 last
season. Texas A&M has outscored North Texas by a combined
234-36 in the series, recording three shutouts. North Texas
scored 28 of those points in a 20-point defeat in 1986.
© 2003 SportsTicker Enterprises, LP
|
