A&M/NEW MEXICO SERIES NOTABLES

Texas A&M leads the all-time series, 2-0 ... A&M downed New Mexico, 28-22, last season at Albuquerque's University Stadium (Sept. 6, 2008) ... Saturday will mark the second meeting between the schools in College Station ... UNM made its only trip to Aggieland back on Oct. 16, 1926, one year before construction began on the permanent structure of Kyle Field ... the Aggies blanked New Mexico that day, 63-0 ... A&M is 64-32-7 all-time against current members of the Mountain West Conference, with almost all of the games (92) against longtime SWC rival TCU ... Mike Sherman is 1-0 all-time against the Lobos ... Mike Locksley has never faced the Aggies.

A limited number of half price bleacher seats are available for $25 each for Saturday's football game between Texas A&M and New Mexico at Kyle Field.

Fans can secure these tickets online at tickets.12thmanfoundation.com, or they may also contact the ticket office at 1-888-99-AGGIE (888-992-4443) or 979-845-2311 to purchase tickets. Fans can also stop by the ticket office located in the Zone at the north end of Kyle Field.

A&M IN SEASON, HOME OPENERS

The Aggies are 23-2 (92.0 winning percentage) in the last 25 home openers ... The Aggies are 14-6 in their last 20 overall season openers, 9-6 in their last 15, 6-4 in their last 10 and 2-3 in their last five.

UP NEXT

Texas A&M has next weekend off and will return to the field Sept. 19 when the Aggies host Utah State ... New Mexico hosts Tulsa next weekend in the Lobos' home opener.

TAKING IT FOR THE TEAM

"Team" and "teamwork" are two of the main tenets of Mike Sherman's mantra at Texas A&M, and senior Matt Featherston and junior Lucas Patterson are perfect examples of this philosophy. Both upperclassmen changed positions during the offseason because it was the best move for the team, and they did so without complaint.

Featherston was the team leader in tackler at linebacker last season, but moved to the new hybrid DE/LB "Jack" position where he will backup junior Von Miller. Patterson moved from starting defensive tackle to offensive line without the benefit of spring practice (due to a broken leg suffered last season), but moved back to defense midway through fall camp because of depth issues on the D-line. Patterson summed it up simply, "I'm needed more over there, and ultimately this is to help the team." [Source: San Antonio Express-News, Aug. 28, 2009]

IS IT "MILLER TIME?"

Once known for its pass-rushing prowess, Texas A&M hasn't had a defender with double-digit quarterback sacks in nearly a decade. But if performances in spring drills and fall camp are any indication, junior Von Miller could be the person to reverse this trend. After struggling at linebacker last season, Miller was moved to a new hybrid defensive end/linebacker position dubbed the "Jack" by head coach Mike Sherman. The position/scheme change helped change Miller from tentative linebacker to basically unblockable Jack in the Aggies' scrimmages and practices. "I'm glad Von is going to be on our side of the fence when it comes time to play other teams," QB starter Jerrod Johnson said. [Source: San Antonio Express-News, Aug. 19, 2009] Last season, Miller started just four of 12 games and contributed a team-high 3.5 sacks, but is clearly happy with his new role. "I've always thought I've been a pass-rush type guy, a blitz-type guy," Miller said. "And the jack position is just like a designated blitzer every play. It's really my strength." [Source: B/CS Eagle, April 18, 2009]

Aggie fans, who were invited to watch the majority of spring and fall workouts, are taking a wait-and-see attitude on Miller's ability to get to the quarterback. An online poll in The Eagle revealed that 52 percent of the respondees believe Miller will have between zero and eight sacks, while 48 percent believe he will have nine or more. [Source: Aggiesports.com]

DYNAMIC DUO/TERRIFIC TRIO

For the first time in school history, the Aggies have a pair of returning players with 50-catch seasons on their resumes in sophomores Ryan Tannehill (55 catches) and Jeff Fuller (50 catches). Also for the first time in school history, the Aggies have a trio of returning receivers with with 40-catch plus seasons to their credit in Tannehill, Fuller and senior tight end Jamie McCoy (43 catches). The trio also combined for 19 touchdown receptions, including 17 of quarterback Jerrod Johnson's school record 21 TD strikes.

RYAN "DIECISIETE"?

Similar to Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Chad Ochocinco, who handled the Bengals' placekicking duties in a recent preseason game, the Aggies' Ryan Tannehill is capable of playing many roles.

Last year he was a record-setting wide receiver. He is also the Aggies' emergency punter, but there is no proof that he could handle placekicking chores a la Ochocinco. This season, however, Tannehill is focusing on quarterback as he was promised by Aggie head coach Mike Sherman when he agreed to moved to wide receiver prior to the 2008 season-opener. Tannehill came out of nowhere to grab 55 catches for 844 yards, both freshman records, last season.

Tannehill recently lost a close battle for the starting quarterback job to incumbent Jerrod Johnson, but remains under center according to Sherman. "Ryan's going to be a heck of a quarterback here," Sherman said. "Are there going to be some situations where he'll be on the field? Possibly. But right now we're still focusing on the quarterback aspect of it." [AggieAthletics.com, Aug. 24, 2009] Tannehill doesn't seem content to hold a clipboard on the sideline. "I definitely want to be on the field," Tannehill said. "It's hard to help the team standing on the sidelines." [Source: MySanAntonio.com, Aug. 25]

MCCOY'S MAJOR MOVE

In one of the most successful position changes of the Mike Sherman era at A&M, senior Jamie McCoy's move from seldom-used quarterback/wide receiver to tight end paid immediate dividends in 2008 and has made McCoy into one of the nation's top tight ends entering 2009. A member of the John Mackey Award "watch list," McCoy ranks second among returning Big 12 tight ends in receptions after catching 43 passes for 500 yards and five scores (matched the A&M record for tight ends). McCoy caught at least one ball in every game last year, and had at least three in the final 10 games of 2008. A clutch receiver, McCoy's catches produced 30 first downs in 2008.

THE REAL MCCOYS

Brothers Jamie and Terrence McCoy were in the starting lineup together five times last season with older brother Jamie at tight end and Terrence at wide receiver. The two brothers combined for 67 catches for 737 yards and six touchdowns.

WE ARE THE 12TH MAN

Senior Derek Dumas was named the 12th Man starter for the season-opener against New Mexico by fan voting at the Maroon & White spring game. Dumas has served as the 12th Man twice previously, wearing the hallowed "12" jersey against Arkansas State and New Mexico last season. The Aggies have two other players with 12th Man experience on the roster in senior Ryan O'Bryant (starts vs. Texas Tech and Iowa State in 2008) and senior Justin McQueen (starts vs. Colorado and Baylor). Nick LaMantia, who finished his eligibility in 2008, had a stranglehold on the 12 jersey over the past three years with a record 30 starts.

WE ARE THE AGGIES, THE AGGIES ARE WE...

For the first time in school history, the Texas A&M Aggies will face off another team nicknamed the Aggies when A&M hosts the Utah State Aggies on Sept. 19. A&M, Utah State and New Mexico State are the only Football Bowl Subdivision teams with Aggies as their nickname.

RIVALRY RENEWED

The Aggies and the Arkansas Razorbacks will renew their longtime rivalry in the Southwest Classic on Oct. 3 at the new Dallas Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The former Southwest Confererence rivals agreed to a 10-year series to be played annually in Cowboys Stadium. The Aggies and Razorbacks have not faced each other on the gridiron since the Hogs bolted the SWC to move east to the Southeastern Conference after the 1991 season. The Hogs, who will be the designated home team in this year's meeting, hold a 38-24-3 overall, but the two teams split the final 10 meetings in the series.

PRO DADS

The 2009 Texas A&M football roster is dotted several players whose father were accomplished professionals in the NFL or NBA.

Senior offensive center Kevin Matthews' father, Bruce, was a perennial All-Pro offensive lineman for the Houston Oilers and Tennessee Titans, and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.

Sophomore wide receiver Jeff Fuller's father, Jeff Sr., was a standout defensive back for the Aggies from 1980-83 and then the San Francisco 49ers from 1984-88.

True freshman defensive lineman Spencer Nealy's dad, Ed, was an All-Big Eight forward at Kansas State and played 10 seasons in the NBA, including with the 1992-93 Chicago Bulls that won the NBA title.

True freshman defensive lineman Wells Childress' father, Ray, still ranks in the top five in tackles and QB sacks in A&M history and went on to a long career with the Houston Oilers in NFL.

ALL-PURPOSE GRAY

Sophomore running back Cyrus Gray announced his presence on the collegiate football scene with a monster season as a true freshman. Gray, from DeSoto, Texas, nearly doubled the school record for kickoff return yards with 1,169 yards and broke Danté Hall's freshman all-purpose yardage record with 1,592 yards in 2008. He also broke Carl Roaches' old school standard for single game kickoff return yards with 261 yards, including a 98-yard touchdown, against Oklahoma.

A&M FRESHMAN ALL-PURPOSE YARDS LIST
                Rk.          Player, Year        A-P Yards
                1.            Cyrus Gray, 2008 (true) 1,592
                2.            Danté Hall, 1996 (true)   1,551
                3.            Leeland McElroy, 1993 (redshirt)               1,427
                4.            Greg Hill, 1991 (redshirt)               1,318
                5.            Courtney Lewis, 2003 (redshirt) 1,115
A&M Season KO Return Yards List
                Rk.          Player, Year        Yds.
                1.            Cyrus Gray, 2008              1,169
                2.            Kerry Franks, 2007           644
                                Terrence Murphy, 2003 626
                4.            Leeland McElroy, 1993   590
                5.            Dave Elmendorf, 1970    457
A&M Single Game KO Return Yards List
                Rk.          Player   Opp., Year           Yds.
                1.            Cyrus Gray          Oklahoma, 2008                261
                2.            Carl Roaches      Boston College, 1973      193
                3.            Leeland McElroy               Rice, 1993            181
                4.            Cyrus Gray          Texas Tech, 2008              157
                5.            Cyrus Gray          Oklahoma St., 2008         145

UNCOMMON HOME STAND FOR AGGIES

The Aggies will play their first three games of the season in the friendly confines of Kyle Field for the second time in three years, but also just the second time since the first three years of former A&M head coach Jackie Sherrill's stint at A&M in 1982-84. In Sherrill's first three seasons, A&M opened with three or more consecutive home games to open the year.

AGGIES ARE TOUGH IN HOME OPENERS

Even with last year's season-opening hiccup against Arkansas State, the Aggies are traditionally tough to beat in their home opener. The Aggies are 23-2 (92.0 winning percentage) in the last 25 home openers, and included a 20-game winning streak from 1988-2007. In the last 25 home openers, the Aggies have notched wins over LSU (four times), Louisiana-Lafayette (twice), Tulsa (twice), Wyoming (twice), North Texas (twice), UTEP, Louisiana-Monroe, Texas Tech, Oklahoma, Sam Houston, Louisiana Tech, McNeese State, Arkansas State, SMU, The Citadel and Montana State.

NON-CONFERENCE GRAVEYARD

Kyle Field has been a graveyard for non-conference opponents with the Aggies posting a 56-6 record (90.3 winning percentage) over the past 25 years against non-Southwest Conference or Big 12 foes.

"BULL" MARKET

A question mark a year ago, the placekicker position appears to be a strength for the Aggies in 2009 with the return of sophomore Randy Bullock. In last year's season-opener, the Aggies missed a pair of field goals from less than 40 yards in a 18-14 loss. Bullock pulled off his redshirt in the sixth game of 2008 and responded with 6-of-7 field goals and made 20 straight extra points after missing the first one of his career. Bullock also showed a strong leg by booting a 46-yard field goal against Texas Tech, which was the longest by an A&M kicker since 2004.

FIRST-DOWN FINDERS

The Aggies' receiver trio of wideouts Ryan Tannehill and Jeff Fuller and tight end Jamie McCoy moved the chains at an impressive rate in 2008. The trio produced 90 first downs on their combined 148 receptions (60.8 percent). Tannehill led way with 35 first down catches, and that number was closely followed by McCoy's 31 and Fuller's 24. Breaking it down further, Fuller had 11 third down catches that produced first downs, followed by McCoy and Tannehill with 10.

First Down Catches, 2008 season
Player, Pos., Year             Rec.       Total      on 3rd D
Ryan Tannehill, WR, Fr.  55           35           10
Jeff Fuller, WR, Fr.           50           24           11
Jamie McCoy, TE, Jr.       43           31           10

TURNOVERS TELL STORY

Since 2005, the Aggies have compiled a 18-4 record in games with a plus turnover margin. In games with an even or minus turnover margin, the Aggies are 6-19.

PLUS TURNOVER MARGIN, 2005-
Opponent, Year                Turn       Take      +/-          Result
SMU, 2005          -1            +4           +3           W, 66-8
Texas State, 2005             -2            +3           +1           W, 44-31
Oklahoma State, 2005    -2            +7           +5           W, 62-23
Kansas State, 2005           -1            +3           +2           W, 30-28
at Oklahoma, 2005           -1            +3           +2           L, 30-36
UL-Lafayette, 2006          0              +2           +2           W, 51-7
Army, 2006         -1            +3           +2           W, 28-24
Missouri, 2006   0              +3           +3           W, 25-19
at Baylor, 2006   0              +1           +1           W, 31-21
Oklahoma, 2006                -1            +2           +1           L, 16-17
Nebraska, 2006 0              +1           +1           L, 27-28
at Texas, 2006    -1            +4           +3           W, 12-7
Montana State, 2007      -1            +2           +1           W, 38-7
Fresno State, 2007 (3OT)              -1            +3           +2           W, 47-45
La.-Monroe, 2007            -1            +2           +1           W, 54-14
Baylor, 2007        -1            +3           +2           W, 34-10
Oklahoma State, 2007    0              +1           +1           W, 24-23
at Nebraska, 2007            0              +3           +3           W, 36-17
Texas, 2007         -2            +3           +1           W, 38-30
at New Mexico, 2008      -1            +4           +3           W, 28-22
Texas Tech, 2008              -1            +3           +2           L, 25-43
at Iowa State, 2008          -1            +2           +1           W, 49-35
Colorado, 2008  -1            +3           +2           W, 24-17

WALK-ON IMPACT

Head coach Mike Sherman' love of competition at all positions led to a number of non-scholarship players that return this season earning playing time in 2008.

NOTABLE NON-SCHOLARSHIP PLAYERS
Derek Dumas, LB              12th Man has seen action at LB
Marcus Gold, DB              Solid special team performer
Justin McQueen, DB*    Has started at nickel and 12th Man
Anthony Vela, FB*          Started at FB vs. Arkansas State
* earned start in 2008

HALF-MILLION AT KYLE

Texas A&M drew more than a half million fans to Kyle Field for the fifth time in school history in 2008. A&M's final 2008 home attendance total was 575,351 for a seven-game average of 82,193, third best in school history.

EXCELLING IN THE CLASSROOM

Seven Aggies have already earned their bachelor's degree from Texas A&M, which ranks among the most in the nation. The Aggies with diplomas already in hand are: Derek Dumas, Matt Featherston, Lee Grimes, Jordan Peterson, Michael Shumard, Vincent Williams and Jeff Wood. In addition, there are a large number of Aggies set to graduate in December of 2009: Cody Beyer, Chevar Bryson, Marcus Gold, Jerrod Johnson (will complete all course work, has an internship to finish degree plan in spring), Kevin Matthews, Jamie McCoy, Ryan O'Bryant, Jordan Pugh, Matt Rankin and DeMaurier Thompson.

MOST GRADUATES, 2009 ROSTERS
Alabama              12
Boston College  10
Virginia Tech      10
Miami (Fla.)        9
Penn State          9
Auburn 8
East Carolina      8
Notre Dame       8
Texas Tech          8
UNLV    8
Texas A&M         7
Central Florida   7

NFL EXPERIENCE

The Aggie coaching staff has deep ties to the National Football League. Of the 10 coaches on the A&M staff, seven have experience in the NFL either as coach or as a player, or both.

Leading the way is offensive coordinator Nolan Cromwell, who coached 17 years in the NFL with three teams and played 11 seasons.

Other double-digit NFLers are head coach Mike Sherman (11 years with three teams, including six as head coach of the Green Bay Packers) and quarterback coach Tom Rossley (11 years with four teams).

AGGIE COACHES WITH NFL EXPERIENCE
Mike Sherman  11 years as coach, six as head coach
Joe Kines             4 years as coach
Nolan Cromwell                17 years as coach, 11 as a player
Tom Rossley       11 years as coach
Kirk Doll                3 years as coach
Randy Jordan     1 year as coach, 5 years as a player
Van Malone       4 years as a player

IMPRESSIVE ASSISTANTS

A&M-UNM CONNECTIONS

Among the connections between the Texas A&M and New Mexico athletic departments are:

JERSEY NUMBER CHANGES (from 2008 to 2009 season)

Player   Was       Now
Trent Hunter      22           1
Jeff Wood           84           2
Lionel Smith       33           3
K.J. Williams       14           6
Garrick Williams                32           8
Cody Beyer         88           9
Nick Trice             86           10
Terrence McCoy               83           11
Chris Caflisch      87           17
Jay Tolliver          33           34
Vince Williams   61           75
Adren Dorsey    85           80
Chris Lathrop     78           92

POSITION CHANGES (from 2008 to 2009 season)

Player   Was       Now
#15  Kenny Brown           DB          TE
#96  Michael Ebbitt          TE           DL
#46  Matt Featherston   LB           Jack
#14  Keon Furtch              DB          WR
#35  Cole Graybill             LB           FB
#92  Chris Lathrop            OL           DL
#18  Kyle Mangan            FB           LB
#40  Von Miller  LB           Jack
#    3  Lionel Smith            DB          WR
#17  Ryan Tannehill         WR         QB
#    6  K.J. Williams            TE           DL
#44  Andrew Wolridge   LB           DL
#    2  Jeff Wood                TE           QB

HEAD COACH Mike Sherman

A former head coach and general manager for the NFL's Green Bay Packers, Mike Sherman is in his second season as head coach of the Texas A&M football team. Sherman was hired as Texas A&M's 28th head football coach on Nov. 26, 2007.

Sherman compiled an impressive 59-43-0 record (.578) at the helm of the Packers from 2000-2005, which included three playoff appearances and two 12-win regular seasons. As an assistant coach in the NFL, Sherman helped the Packers and Seattle Seahawks to the playoffs, including the Packers' run to the 1998 Super Bowl.

In the college ranks, Sherman has compiled a 4-8 record as a head coach. As an assistant coach at Texas A&M (1989-93, 95-96), UCLA (1994), Holy Cross (1985-88), Tulane (1983-84) and Pittsburgh (1981-82), Sherman helped win three conference championships and been a part of eight bowl teams (five New Year's Day bowls).

An accomplished recruiter, Sherman's current class of 2010 commitments is currently ranked No. 10 nationally by ESPN.com and features verbals from three members of ESPNU 150 national recruits. Sherman's first signing class was ranked No. 22 nationally by Rivals.com and was bolstered by Sherman's late additions of 2008 Freshman All-Americans Jeff Fuller and Trent Hunter, Cyrus Gray and Terrence Frederick. Both Hunter and Gray earned Big 12 Player of the Week just months after being targeted by Sherman.

Mike Sherman RADIO SHOW

The weekly Mike Sherman Radio Show will air on Mondays at 7 p.m. live from Wings N More at the University Drive location in College Station.

The show is broadcast locally on WTAW (1620 AM) and fans are invited to join Coach Sherman and host Dave South at the restaurant to ask questions and to get Coach Sherman's thoughts on the season.

If you are unable to attend in person, fans can submit questions via email to coach@athletics.tamu.edu as well as a link on the front page of the football section of AggieAthletics.com.

The show will air weekly with the exception of Monday, Sept. 7, since Texas A&M has an open date on Sept. 12. The final show will air on Tuesday, Nov. 17 due to a men's basketball game on Monday, Nov. 16.

ON THE WEB

Visit aggieathletics.com/media for media-specific information regarding Texas A&M Athletics, including contact information, quick facts, game notes and more, including a downloadable photo and logo archive site.

MEDIA SUPPLEMENT AND VIRTUAL GUIDE

The Texas A&M Media Relations Office did not print a media guide in 2009. A comprehensive media supplement, containing history, records, bios and much more is posted online.

Mike Sherman's Virtual Guide to Aggie Football is also posted online. The full color, interactive guide contains videos and other features that bring the traditional "media guide" to life online.

Both are available by logging on to the football page of aggieathletics.com. The publications can also be accessed from aggieathletics.com/media.