Coach: R.C. Slocum
117-41-2, 13 years
2001 Record: 8-4
MCNEESE STATE WON 38-24
at Wyoming WON 28-20
OKLAHOMA STATE WON 21-7
NOTRE DAME WON 24-3
BAYLOR WON 16-10
at Colorado LOST 21-31
at Kansas State WON 31-24
IOWA STATE WON 24-21
at Texas Tech LOST 0-12
at Oklahoma LOST 10-31
TEXAS LOST 7-21
GALLERYFURNITURE.COM BOWL
Texas Christian WON 28-9


2001 Final Rankings
AP-UR, Coaches-UR, BCS-UR

Mark Farris is about to break every A&M passing stat in the school's record book and has thrown for over 2000 yards in each of his last two seasons.
2002 Outlook

A few internet polls are circulating and Texas A&M isn't on the list. They are here on this list! The Aggies ended the season slow with some tough loses, but closed out the Galleryfurniture.com bowl with a big victory over in state, out of conference rival TCU. So how many starters are coming back? Let's just say about everybody. Not many people realize this, but senior QB Mark Farris is about to break every A&M passing stat in the school's record book and has thrown for over 2000 yards in each of his last two seasons. All the leading receivers and rushers are back, basically so is the kitchen sink on offense. The defense is led by NationalChamps.net First Team All-American Sammy Davis at cornerback. All four top tacklers are back. If coaches can build themselves a sturdy front on defense, this team has the potential to shock a few voters before the season is done. Let's be realistic, this is the Big 12 Conference. However, give us a team that brings back all of these starters from a team that went 8-4 and played in the nation's toughest conference, and we will put them in the Top 25 easily. Could the Aggies come in a perfect 9-0 when the Sooners visit College Station on November 9? That notion may not be so far-fetched. As a matter of fact, it's way better than far-fetched. Texas A&M will be favored in an early match up with the Hokies. A game to be concerned about is the cross-country trip Heinz Field in Pittsburgh. Look at the home schedule...it's beautiful for the fans when you talk about VT, Texas Tech, Nebraska, and Oklahoma, what an unbelievable season ticket that will be. Anyone with an adequate football brain knows how difficult it can be to travel into Aggie Country and be victorious with the 12th man kickin'. The big dogs are all at home. They simply have to upset either OU or Texas to wrap up the season. If you look at those tussles since the 1980's, the thought that the Aggies could extend a losing streak to three in a row against these bitter rivals will be looked upon as unacceptable. Something has to change, and this is the year to do it. A 10-2 record before the bowl is very obtainable. If they don't win at least nine, R.C. Slocum will be looking over his back. This is a good season to be wearing the maroon and white.

Projected 2002 record: 10-3

TEXAS A&M
*POWER RATINGS
Offense
Defense
QB - 4.5 DL - 2
RB - 4 LB - 3.5
WR - 4 DB - 4
OL - 3.5 ..
RETURNING LEADERS
Passing: Mark Farris, 203-347-9, 2094 Yards, 8TD's

Rushing: Derek Farmer, 110 att., 503yds., 2TD's

Receiving: Jamaar Taylor, 39 rec., 489 yds., 3TD's

Scoring: Cody Scates, 8 FG, 26 PAT, 50 pts.

Punting: Cody Scates, 71 punts, 40.7 avg.

Kicking: Cody Scates, 8-16 FG, 26-27 PAT, 50 pts.

Tackles: Terrence Kiel, 92 tot., 65 solo

Sacks: Jarrod Penright, 10.5 sacks

Interceptions: Sammy Davis, 5 for 52yds.

Kickoff returns: Sammy Davis, 9 ret., 18.0 avg.

Punt returns: Dawon Gentry, 16 ret., 12.4 avg.
TEXAS A&M AGGIES
OFFENSE - 10
----RETURNING STARTERS----
DEFENSE - 7
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Seth McKinney-C
DEFENSE: Rocky Bernard-DE, Evan Perroni-DE, Christian Rodriguez-OLB, Wes Bautovich-SS, Jay Brooks-FS
2002 OFFENSE

written by Jeff Davis

STRENGTHS: The Aggies return starters in almost all positions on offense this year. The most anticipated group is the returning receiving corp. Although in just their second season, both leading receivers from last year's squad are back, Terrence Murphy and Jamaar Taylor. As an added bonus veteran receiver Bethel Johnson was given another year of eligibility after his spleen injury in the second game of last year. In his two previous years, he was the second leading receiver. He will provide a huge spark, and depth to an offense that was struggling last year. At the quarterback position, senior Mark Farris will have plenty of targets to throw to, and is looking to break career passing records at Texas A&M. There is healthy competition for the second spot between the listed sophomore Dustin Long, and the much anticipated Jason Carter. Either way, the Aggies feel comfortable with capable backups. The talented young back Derek Farmer is looking for a breakout season, after gaining starting experience all last year as a freshman due to injuries above him. In fact, all four team leading rushers are back. Senior fullback Joe Weber, the team's touchdown specialist, is ready for more smash mouth football. With key positional players in tact throughout the offense, the scoring woes of last year are sure to improve with great strides.

 

CONCERNS: The Texas A&M offense was ranked 11th in the Big XII last year, with injuries having plagued the team on many offensive fronts. One area of concern last year is still the Aggies biggest question mark this coming season. The offensive line is relatively inexperienced as a whole. All but the center position return this year, a void left by NFL draftee Seth McKinney. Senior guards Billy Yates and Taylor Whitley really need to come into their own this final year to lead the group, and give the quarterback time to find the receivers. The talent of sophomore tackle Jaime Hightower hopes to anchor the unit, and ignite the running game. The offensive line needs more reps together to build cohesiveness. Tight end Thomas Carriger is the team's best shot for improvement at this very thin position. As a starter last year, he gained much needed experience, but is still probably a year off from making the type of impact Aggies will expect. The kicker slated for 2002 is freshman Todd Pegram, who is said to have a strong leg, but could fold in pressure situations. Last season, the kicking kept Texas A&M out of many games.

 

TEXAS A&M 2002 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
OFFENSE
QB Mark Farris-Sr Dustin Long-So
FB Joe Weber-Sr Stacy Jones-Sr
RB Derek Farmer-So Oschlor Flemming-Jr
WR Jamaar Taylor-Jr Terrence Thomas-So
WR Terrence Murphy-So Bethel Johnson-Sr
TE Thomas Carriger-So Joey Perot-So
OT Jami Hightower-So Dominique Steamer-Fr
OG Billy Yates-Sr John Kirk-Jr
C Geoff Hangartner-So James Milkavich-Jr
OG Taylor Whitley-Sr Quentin Holman-Fr
OT Andre Brooks-Jr Alan Reuber-Jr
K Todd Pegram-Fr Cody Scates-Jr

 

2002 DEFENSE

written by Jeff Davis

STRENGTHS: The defense is A&M's strong point this coming season. Ranked 10th nationally last year, the Wrecking Crew returns seven key members. The top four leading tacklers, the sack leader, and the leader in interceptions are all back. The cornerbacks highlight this unit as First Team All American favorite Sammy Davis, and junior Sean Weston, look to shut down opponent's passing games. The senior strong safety Terrence Kiel, the team's leading tackler, will look to provide more punishing hits. This is a solid and deep defensive secondary group. At the right outside position, Jarrod Penright is a tough linebacker who penetrated offenses for 10 1/2 sacks last season, and also led the team in tackles for loss. Inside linebacker Brian Gamble, a consistent top performer, seems to have been on the Wrecking Crew forever. Ty Warren is a senior at the left end, and is one physical specimen. Fast and strong, Warren will be blowing by offensive linemen this fall. On the right side, junior Linnis Smith is another quick lineman who will start this year. The Aggie front three have plenty of quality backups available to use. With the defense on the field so much last year due to the offensive break downs, the Wrecking Crew should have more rest this year with help from the offense, and be even more formidable than last year.

 

CONCERNS: Replacing two of the three starters on the defensive line is a concern for this group. Rocky Bernard, a late round draft pick, leaves the biggest hole. A new nose guard, sophomore Marcus Jasmin, will allow Ty Warren to move to end to fill the void. Jasmin has little experience, but is big at 317 pounds or so. The linemen will have to learn quickly how to work together, as tests will be coming soon on the schedule. Two of the four linebacking spots on the Wrecking Crew are question marks and a bit thin. Inside linebacker Jared Morris is one of those, and playing next to Gamble, he'll need to improve quickly. On the left outside, senior Jesse Hunnicutt hopes to avoid those injuries that have tempered his progression in the past. Special teams took a hit with the graduation of free safety Jay Brooks. A big playmaker will have to step into that role. Junior Dawon Gentry was the big hitter in the spring game at the free safety spot, and also received some playing time last year.

 

TEXAS A&M 2002 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters in Bold
DEFENSE
DE Ty Warren-Sr David Ross-Fr
NG Marcus Jasmin-So Johnny Jolly-Fr
DE Linnis Smith-Jr Nick Losada-Jr
OLB Jesse Hunnicutt-Sr Brandon Johnson-So
ILB Jared Morris-Jr Randall Webb-So
ILB Brian Gamble-Sr ..
OLB Jarrod Penright-Sr Everett Smith-Jr
CB Sean Weston-Jr Byron Jones-So
CB Sammy Davis-Sr Ronald Jones-Fr
SS Terrence Kiel-Sr Eric Crutchfield-So
FS Dawon Gentry-Jr Jaxson Appel-Fr
P Cody Scates-Jr ..
..
The Candyman, Sammy Davis, is one of the nation's premier cornerbacks.