The Battalion: Aggies excited for opener

By Adrian O’Hanon III

Published: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 The Battalion

Updated: Tuesday, August 30, 2011 02:08

Football players and coaches spoke to the media on Monday about preparation for Texas A&M's 2011 season opener against Southern Methodist University.
A&M returns 18 positional starters for this season, making for an experienced team that head coach Mike Sherman said is focused on the opener. He said the team improved in many areas in the offseason and is challenged with planning for SMU's run-and-gun offense and similar defense.
"They are like us—they have some pretty good receivers, a good run game and a very experienced offensive line," Sherman said. "They have about 158 career starts among them, more than anyone in the country. So they have a good group coming back."
Mustangs making preseason award watch lists include quarterback Kyle Padron (O'Brien, Manning), running back Zach Line (Maxwell, Walker) and defensive end Taylor Thompson (Lombardi, Nagurski). Those three players were also named to the All-Conference USA preseason team.
Aggie defensive coordinator Tim DeRuyter said SMU's high-profile offense creates problem areas for any defense. In the second installment of his defensive scheme, DeRuyter feels the players have transitioned more smoothly and are prepared for the Mustangs' air attack.
"This is not a ‘warm-up game' by any stretch," DeRuyter said. "You look at what they did last year against TCU and Texas Tech, they were ballgames all the way through. So our guys know the kind of challenge they will bring, and we'll be ready for them."
In the offseason, the team named senior safety Trent Hunter a team captain, an honor he cherishes. He said his responsibility as captain is to keep the defense focused on the Mustangs' high-powered offense.
Offensively, senior quarterback Ryan Tannehill is looking forward to the start of another season. He said the team worked hard in spring practices and summer camp to exceed expectations.
"You're always excited no matter what the year, going into the first game," Tannehill said. "You prepare all year for basically 12 or 13 days. This being the first week, we're definitely excited for it.
The raised expectations do bring a higher excitement. We do realize the talent we have, and now it's our job to prove that."
In injury news, junior wide receiver Ryan Swope's back is fully-healed and defensive lineman Tony Jerod-Eddie said his recovery from breaking his foot last season has gone smoothly.
The Aggies kick off the season at 6:30 p.m. on Sept. 4 at Kyle Field against the Mustangs.