Bobcats Fall at A&M
9/1/2007 12:00:00 AM | Football
Montana State held Texas A&M’s Thunder and Lightning in check for most of Saturday’s season opener, but the Aggies turned to a lesser-publicized natural phenomena – quarterback Stephen McGee. He rushed five times for 57 yards in the third quarter, converting three first downs and one touchdown, to lead A&M to a win over the Bobcats.
McGee’s performance overshadowed an impressive Bobcat effort in Rob Ash’s opener. A&M’s junior quarterback rushed nine times for 121 yards and two touchdowns, engineering two second-half touchdown drives that put the game out of reach. “He’s the key (to A&M’s offense),” Ash said, “and he’s an excellent player. Texas A&M has a chance to have a great season in the Big 12, and Stephen McGee will be a big part of that.”
The game turned on MSU’s inability to convert field goals, and Aggies quarterback Stephen McGee’s ability to make plays. Fisher missed from 28, 39 and 42 yards in the second half, two of them while the Bobcats trailed by only 17 points.
Lane and Goodson - the Aggies' Thunder and Lighning combination - combined for just around 100 yards rushing on the night, although McGee was over 100.
"The defense actually played well," Ash said. "They have a well-designed, sophisticated offense, and they have the athleticism to hit big plays. But I thought our defense stood up to their physical front."
Montana State’s offense turned in an efficient, effective performance. The Bobcats gained 403 yards to A&M’s 390, and didn’t have one drive that ended in negative yardage. MSU finished -1 in turnover margin, with both giveaways – a Jack Rolovich fumble and a Cory Carpenter interception – came in the red zone.
“I thought the offense played very well,” Ash said. “Jack looked very comfortable. We came on this trip with only three running backs, and we got a lot better because of how well Demetrius (Crawford) played.” Aaron Mason left the game in the first half with a hip injury. He is day-to-day. Defensive lineman Brandon Hoffenbacker suffered MSU’s only other injury, a knee injury that could sideline him for several weeks.
Texas A&M’s first drive of the second half demonstrated the precision of a top 25 BCS club. Starting on its own 43 after another long kick return by Franks, the Aggies marched 57 yards for a touchdown on four plays, none less than nine yards. Goodson did the honors from 18 yards out, the drive’s longest play.
If doubts existed about Montana State’s ability to handle the biggest stadium and largest crowd the school ever played in front of, the Bobcat offense dispelled them early. Jack Rolovich led the team on an 83-yard drive to open the game, culminating in an eight-yard scoring strike to Elliott Barnhart. Just more than five minutes into the game, Montana State led Texas A&M 7-0.
The Aggies answered, with Kerry Franks returning Michael Sweeney’s kick to the Bobcat 47. Four plays later, Matt Szymanski converted a 34-yard field goal to cut MSU’s lead to 7-3. After forcing a Bobcat punt on the ensuing possession, Stephen McGee took the drive’s second snap and scampered 67 yards for A&M’s first touchdown of the season, and the Aggies’ first lead of the night, 10-3.
On A&M’s second drive of the second quarter, Jovorskie Lane capped a 70-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run. That finished the scoring for the first half.
McGee’s performance overshadowed an impressive Bobcat effort in Rob Ash’s opener. A&M’s junior quarterback rushed nine times for 121 yards and two touchdowns, engineering two second-half touchdown drives that put the game out of reach. “He’s the key (to A&M’s offense),” Ash said, “and he’s an excellent player. Texas A&M has a chance to have a great season in the Big 12, and Stephen McGee will be a big part of that.”
The game turned on MSU’s inability to convert field goals, and Aggies quarterback Stephen McGee’s ability to make plays. Fisher missed from 28, 39 and 42 yards in the second half, two of them while the Bobcats trailed by only 17 points.
Lane and Goodson - the Aggies' Thunder and Lighning combination - combined for just around 100 yards rushing on the night, although McGee was over 100.
"The defense actually played well," Ash said. "They have a well-designed, sophisticated offense, and they have the athleticism to hit big plays. But I thought our defense stood up to their physical front."
Montana State’s offense turned in an efficient, effective performance. The Bobcats gained 403 yards to A&M’s 390, and didn’t have one drive that ended in negative yardage. MSU finished -1 in turnover margin, with both giveaways – a Jack Rolovich fumble and a Cory Carpenter interception – came in the red zone.
“I thought the offense played very well,” Ash said. “Jack looked very comfortable. We came on this trip with only three running backs, and we got a lot better because of how well Demetrius (Crawford) played.” Aaron Mason left the game in the first half with a hip injury. He is day-to-day. Defensive lineman Brandon Hoffenbacker suffered MSU’s only other injury, a knee injury that could sideline him for several weeks.
Texas A&M’s first drive of the second half demonstrated the precision of a top 25 BCS club. Starting on its own 43 after another long kick return by Franks, the Aggies marched 57 yards for a touchdown on four plays, none less than nine yards. Goodson did the honors from 18 yards out, the drive’s longest play.
If doubts existed about Montana State’s ability to handle the biggest stadium and largest crowd the school ever played in front of, the Bobcat offense dispelled them early. Jack Rolovich led the team on an 83-yard drive to open the game, culminating in an eight-yard scoring strike to Elliott Barnhart. Just more than five minutes into the game, Montana State led Texas A&M 7-0.
The Aggies answered, with Kerry Franks returning Michael Sweeney’s kick to the Bobcat 47. Four plays later, Matt Szymanski converted a 34-yard field goal to cut MSU’s lead to 7-3. After forcing a Bobcat punt on the ensuing possession, Stephen McGee took the drive’s second snap and scampered 67 yards for A&M’s first touchdown of the season, and the Aggies’ first lead of the night, 10-3.
On A&M’s second drive of the second quarter, Jovorskie Lane capped a 70-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run. That finished the scoring for the first half.
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