Now I've never been too much of a football fan, but a lot of my friends are and I appreciate their enthusiasm. Ever since I came to Texas A&M, the Aggies lost their first home game in years, then lost many at home, then went .500 overall, then had no bowl, then hit the skids big time last year. It was strange that when I first got here, they were ranked in the top 5 and have regressed every year. Maybe they'll be better after I graduate. Maybe it's the curse of Kim being around as an undergrad for way too long. Anyhow, even though I've never much into college football (Rockets and hoops are the greatest team and sports ever!!!), I guess I've been privy to a lot of inside knowing players and inside info or whatever...(if anyone has search capabilities, y'all can find out I was around back when UT had Roy Williams and Simms and up to the Benson early years: I have Roy's old crutches in Htown, I used to have his "black booK", smelled Benson's pot from down the hall and told the bbs about UT's player pot habits way before the news hit, and dodged paint balls shots in the Jester East, and laughed at Chris Simms and my best friend singing Karaokee on a little music machine on 3rd floor Jester East....and that was just my old school UT connections). Here at A&M, after taking a break from school for a while, and then going overseas for a while, I've come back to think I don't know anyone around anymore. But I ran into an old acquaintence the other day. When I was a junior and he was a freshman, we got into this heated exchange and I was close to kicking his ass with the "who the hell do you think you are just b/c you're a baller, do you know who I AM" attitude. I've grown up since then and I think he has too. I saw him often that year b/c we ran in the same crowds a lot. So, it's been like 3 years now? I see him at the grocery store the other night and I'm like holy crap, Terence? TMurph is really looking like a man now. We caught up a little, told him he looks older, asked me about France etc.... And only now, after reading some stuff online, am I seeing that this guy is supposedly really good at football. Anyhow, so I'm just starting this thread to say good luck and Gig'em Aggies. I know the team hasn't been so good the last 5 years, but maybe this year will be different. I have some friends saying they'll win 2 games and others saying 7. I have no idea. TMurph tells me to "watch out, we'll be a lot better than people expect." So it all starts tonight vs a ranked Utah team. I hate the Jazz, so maybe I should hate this team also by state association...it'll give me a reason to watch. And a shout out to all my old boys who didn't get kicked out and are still around: Good luck DD, TT, Jami, TMurph, and David.
Gig 'Em Ags ... I hate to put too much emphasis on the first game of the season, but I really believe this game is going to show us how this team is going to play all year. If we are to make a bowl game, we have to win tonight. With so many freshmen and sophomores playing, you never know what you are going to get. Hopefully a win can get these young kids going. The good news is that with 2 years of top 10 recruiting classes and early experience for these guys, we should see something special in another year or two with Coach Fran. This season is still a big big question mark however. It also doesnt help when you have the third toughest schedule in the country (http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2004/Preview/2004_Schedule_Strength.htm)
Good article out of Utah. I think this deserves a good WHOOP Utes (and police?) prepare for A&M perps By Matthew Ouellette Published: Wednesday, September 1, 2004 You don't need to have your fingers on the pulse of this university to know that the Utes have a football game coming up against Texas A&M on Thursday. But to be in touch with the ever-quickening heartbeat of the U is to be in touch with the immensity of this game. The Aggies field what is likely the most athletically talented team on the Utes' schedule. With several game-breakers, including quarterback Reggie McNeal and running back Courtney Lewis, the Aggies are dangerous. McNeal and Lewis combined for an average of 265 yards of total offense per game last year, and McNeal's favorite target, Terrence Murphy averaged 63.5 yards on four catches. But the stats, although mildly impressive, actually belittle the overall menace of this Aggie squad. The true testament to their dangerous capabilities can only be found in the College Station police reports. All totaled, 10 A&M football players and one recruit have been arrested in the last 10 months, some cases more humorous than others. In early November, freshman defensive lineman Tate Pittman beckoned a female student over to his vehicle. He smiled at her and calmly asked, "Can you help me with this?" as he pointed to his exposed genitals. He was arrested and charged with indecent exposure. Two weeks later, possibly to commemorate the two-week anniversary of his first arrest for indecent exposure, Pittman chose another female student, and again smiled before revealing his genitals. In the world of indecent exposure, a smile clearly indicates a non-threatening exposure, but unfortunately for Pittman, the girl was not familiar with the flashers' code of conduct, and he was arrested again. Pittman denies both exposures, citing the "in cases like this they always believe the girl," precedent. Also strengthening Pittman's defense for his second indecent exposure case will be the courtroom experience he will have amassed during his September DWI case, and his first indecent exposure case. Fortunately for the Utes and all of Utah's daughters, Pittman and his genitals will remain in Texas, as the Aggie football program no longer has room for a man of his celebrity. Another Aggie, red-shirt freshman Nick Rhodes, who has since earned the title former Aggie, Nick Rhodes, was charged with assault in July after he punched his roommate and then hit him with a guitar. Rhodes then locked himself in his room and forced the police to kick in the door before he allowed himself to be arrested. All of the Aggie arrests haven't ended in tragic dismissals, however. Starting offensive lineman Geoff Hangartner and starting place kicker Todd Pegram were able to overcome their arrests, rehabilitate their injured egos, and were both reinstated to the team after brief suspensions. Pegram was charged with underage drinking and evading arrest after he was caught stumbling from police. Hangartner was arrested for DWI after a drive-thru restaurant employee called the police and reported the Aggie big man and his teammate, Cole Smith, for yelling racial slurs at the car in front of them. Smith was charged with public intoxication and the use of profanity, and was also reinstated to the team after he completed an alcohol education course, in which he practiced not being a racist while drunk. Hangartner's lawyer, James James, took the words out of every white, corn-fed Texan's mouth when he said, "Geoff completely denies making any kind of racial epitaph. He finds any kind of racial slur absolutely abhorrent." James' claim, however, runs in direct opposition to the written affidavit of a police officer who happened to be across the street and within earshot while the incident occurred. Fortunately for Hangartner, he's the best lineman the Aggies have, so he could probably get away with anything short of murder and still be reinstated to the program. (See: Lawrence Phillips of Nebraska.) Coles, on the other hand, a lowly backup, would certainly have been dismissed if not for his accomplices' talents. But dismissing Coles and not Hangartner would break down the "We're just doing the right thing" façade, and cause a great deal of commotion. And after all of the arrests in the past 10 months, the last thing the Aggies need is more commotion. They could use an electrified fence around their facilities, but not more commotion. However, there will no doubt be a great deal of commotion in Utah as long as this team loaded with player/perpetrators is in Utah. The most important question we as Utahns face is which force should we use to stop them-the Ute defense or the state police? mouellette@chronicle.utah.edu Criminal behavior: A&M football players on trouble with the law Tate Pittman - Nov. 3 & 17, 2003 2 counts of indecent exposure in as many weeks complimented his September DWI charge. Nick Rhodes -Jul. 22, 2004 Assault charges filed for punching and hitting his roommate with a guitar. Wade Lightsey & John Kelly - Dec. 10, 2003 Both faced disorderly conduct charges. Lightsey was also cited with profanity while Kelly was charged with fighting and evading arrest. Geoff Hangartner & Cole Smith - Mar. 15, 2004 Both were cited for shouting racial slurs. Hangartner was given a DWI and Smith was charged with public intoxication. Derek Brown - May 1, 2004 Failed to appear in court after being cited with failure to vaccinate his dog for rabies. Cody Scates - Jan. 20, 2004 Charged with malicious mischief. Todd Pegram - Feb. 8, 2004 Charged with underage drinking and evading arrest. Quentin Holman - Jan. 9, 2004 Faced charges for assaulting his girlfriend and interfering with an emergency call.
I first came to A&M in 1999........the year after the big 12 Championship year......we all know it went downhill since then...... I hope the fact that I graduated last December will help the football team to get better results
LOL, I first moved to CS last year from FW. Man, last year was a hard year to become an Aggie fan. I ended up cheering on my old school, the Horned Frogs. I will definetly be watching this one tonight on ESPN. Gig 'em!
I've seen it all. A UT fan chastising the Aggies for criminal activity. That's like Charles Manson chiding OJ for killing somebody.
Thats kind of offensive, but whatever Anyways ... The Ags are probably going to struggle tonight unless some of the Freshmen defensive players are extremely fast learners. I just hope to see some good decision making out of McNeal at the QB spot .. If he falters this season, he is going to be knocked out by Stephen McGee and that would be a shame since he has so much talent. It's time for him to step up or be put down.
21-0 Utah. Dennis Franchione makes Mack Brown look like Vince Lombardi. Edit : Now 27-0, this is getting embarassing - wait, not embarassing, that's the wrong word - hilarious. Yeah, that's it - hilarious.
