Courtesy of Sports Illustrated
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - Texas A&M may have finally figured out how to close a game.
The Aggies went 7-6 last season, blowing many a lead along the way.
The led Florida in this year's season opener and lost 20-17, raising
fears that their problem had returned. Last weekend, the 22nd-ranked
Aggies finally finished a close game, rallying from 10 points down in
the fourth quarter for a 30-27 win over Ole Miss.
It's a victory that's given this team confidence heading into Saturday's game against undefeated Louisiana Tech.
Coach Kevin Sumlin believes his team's last victory was even more
impressive considering the Aggies overcame a season-high six turnovers
to get it. It was the first time since 1995 the Aggies had won a game
where they had six turnovers.
"There are all kinds of situations that presented themselves in that
game that told you we should lose, whether it was six turnovers, not
being able to get off the field on third down, driving 99 yards or being
down by 10 with eight minutes left to go,'' he said. "Our guys had to
deal with that and then win the football game. It really creates
confidence in each other. Until you are in that situation, the growth of
your team doesn't happen.''
When freshman quarterback Johnny Manziel connected with Ryan Swope on
the game-winning touchdown pass with less than two minutes remaining
last week, it helped the Aggies move past the memories of a 2011 season
where five of their six losses were by a touchdown or less.
"It's an overwhelming experience,'' junior defensive end Damontre
Moore said of the win. "It means a lot to help us build confidence in
ourselves and realize that we're not the same team that we were last
year. It was such a trending habit for us last year, it's good to see us
break it.''
Along with the overall growth of the team, the Aggies saw Manziel
continue his development last week. Manziel didn't have a turnover
entering the game, but fumbled and threw a pair of interceptions against
the Rebels before regrouping to lead A&M to the win.
"He's got a short memory and you have to have that,'' offensive
coordinator Kliff Kingsbury said. "As you can see, he went back and
played great when he had to. He was just being young ... he's hard on
himself but he gets over it quickly. He knew he would make mistakes and
he wanted to go out there and win it for his teammates. He never
blinked.''
After Manziel put the Aggies on top last Saturday, the defense
secured the win with an interception by Toney Hurd, Jr. The play was
another example of a change in Texas A&M's play this season. A year
ago, the Aggies had just seven interceptions all season. Texas A&M
already has six in its first five games this season.
"We were in the position a lot last year and we just couldn't finish
it,'' defensive back Steven Terrell, who has two of A&M's
interceptions. "Every defense has to work on getting interceptions in
practice. It's just been coming to us this year. We've been working
really hard on it and focusing on it ... it's the little things like
that in the game of football. You change the little things and it can
make a big impact.''
Closing out the game at Ole Miss was probably more important because
the Aggies upcoming schedule where they play four of their next five on
the road, including trips to Auburn and top-ranked Alabama.
"It gives the team confidence that they do have enough talent and
that they have the players on the team so they can win any time, no
matter the situation,'' Sumlin said.
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