Well, I've been accused in the past, always unjustly, of claiming "moral victory". This year, the Aggies have been a horrible disappointment, have suffered three blowout conference losses, including one to a bitter rival, and another at Kyle Field. Our many returning starters were either big disappointments, or got injured. The defense is last in the Big 12 and statistically one of the worst in A&M history. Bottom line, the only things left to salvage the season are a spoiler victory over UT, glimpses of next season, and, that's right, moral victory.
A&M quickly fell behind 21-0 in the first quarter yesterday morning. Visions of the CU game were abound, and with the defense missing two of our leading tacklers, Jaxson Appel and Justin Warren, there was no hope. This is where Ted Kennedy tuned out. Fortunately, the Aggie players did not. Determined to avoid a repeat of the 2003 debacle (77-0) in Norman, the Aggies never gave up. After picking up a quick TD on a turnover, they appeared to be back in the game......not so fast, OU drives for another TD. Behind by 21 again, this is where A&M dug in. The offense engineered a long TD drive to pull back within 14, then the defense finally got the much needed stop. Reggie and company were moving towards the end zone again with little time left in the half. A perfect pass at the 1 foot line bounced off of Jason Carter's sternum. This dropped ball, along with 2 missed field goals could have made the difference in the game.
But that's not what impressed me most. In the second half, the decimated and embarrassed Aggie defense managed to hold the Sooners to 6 points, finally giving the offense a chance. After watching Reggie leave the field on a stretcher midway through the third quarter, I knew the giveup I had anticipated was coming. Again, I was wrong. Stephen McGee, our highly touted backup QB, and heir apparent for next year, was 0/6 passing, but perfectly executed the option to drive the Aggies for a score, and pulled within 6.
This is when OU pulled off their only score of the second half, which proved to be the difference in the game. The Aggies made two more field goals, and just ran out of time. I have to say, in the face of all that has happened this season, I am very proud of the effort the Aggies put forward in this game. It would have been easy to give up, down 21, on the road, star QB on crutches, but they hung tough and kept playing. So now my friends, I will formally declare moral victory for the Aggies. For this season, it may be all we have left.
1 comment:
I think the Burnet kid is a much better QB than Reggie. I wonder how much better the Ags would have performed with him all year?
The Hardline had some bit about Reggie vs him last week - mostly about how the offense responds better him.
The Ags performance gives me hope for Saturday.
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