College Confidential

Counting down to kickoff in Aggieland

We're about 35 minutes away from kickoff of the Texas A&M-Colorado game in College Station, and I could probably hand count the number of people in the stands at Kyle Field. Late-arriving doesn't even begin to describe this. Traffic appears to be moving easily down George Bush Parkway too, so either the Aggie faithful are enjoying some extended tailgating or we're going to have a small crowd.

I was thrown off a bit by a visitor in the press box a while ago. A guy in a green jacket walked down press row distributing flyers for the Gator Bowl. Wow, didn't expect that. This guy must be low man on the totem pole to be the bowl's representative at a game between a 3-5 A&M team and a struggling 4-4 Colorado team. Both teams still have a chance to become bowl eligible, but the Aggies are going to have to pull off a miracle against either Oklahoma or Texas to make it happen. Let's see if they can string two wins together for the first time this season first.

-- Lori Dann

Offensive fireworks continue in Ames

Late in the second quarter in Ames, neither defense has managed to make a stop, and the Aggies lead Iowa State 21-14. After the Cyclones tied the game on a 1-yard option pitch to Jason Scales for a touchdown, Jerrod Johnson fired his second touchdown to Jamie McCoy, this time a 12-yarder for a 21-14 lead. The Aggies have forced ISU to attempt two field goals, and the Cyclones have missed both -- one from 31 yards in the first quarter and another from 51 with 2:51 left in the second.

-- Lori Dann

ISU, A&M score on opening drives

It didn't take long for Iowa State to take the lead against Texas A&M. The Cyclones, who have been struggling to run the ball in recent weeks, had no trouble doing so against the Aggies on a nine-play, 79-yard drive, scoring on Alexander Robinson's 1-yard dive into the end zone for a 7-0 lead. Robinson had six carries for 49 yards on the drive.

Texas A&M answered with a 74-yard drive, capped by Jerrod Johnson's 35-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Terrence McCoy. Tailback Mike Goodson is not suited up because of a sprained knee. His backup, freshman Cyrus Gray, had three carries for 17 yards on the opening drive.

-- Lori Dann

Pregame excitement at A&M-ISU game

We're off to a shaky start at Jack Trice Stadium in Ames, where the Big 12's worst teams -- Iowa State and Texas A&M -- will square off tonight at 6. Two hours before kickoff, the press box had to be evacuated because of a fire alarm.

Anyone else think this might be an omen of sorts? One thing's for sure: Another loss by the Aggies (2-5, 0-3 Big 12) today will certainly qualify this seson as an official disaster. In fact, whoever loses today might not win again this season.

There is one bit of good news for Texas A&M, though. Republican vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin was in Iowa this weekend. She was also in Albuquerque when the Aggies defeated New Mexico for their last road win.

A good omen? You betcha.

-- Lori Dann

Another turnover aids Aggies

Texas A&M was awarded a fumble after officials reversed their original call on Tramain Swindell's 37-yard reception, and the Aggies quickly capitalized. First, Jerrod Johnson connected with Ryan Tannehill on a 40-yard pass. Then, four plays later, Mike Goodson ran in from a yard out to give A&M a 23-20 lead with 23 seconds left in the half. Without a doubt, this is the best the Aggies have looked all season long.

-- Lori Dann

A&M makes costly mistake

A holding penalty on Mike Goodson negated a 78-yard touchdown pass from Jerrod Johnson to Jeff Fuller that would have given the lead back to Texas A&M. Instead, the Aggies were forced to punt three plays later. Justin Brantly's 54-yarder with 2:09 left in the first half was the first punt of the game for either team.

-- Lori Dann

A&M ties it up

With 9:48 left in the opening half, Texas A&M is answering No. 7 Texas Tech point for point. Freshman Randy Bullock booted his second field goal of the game, a 28-yarder, to tie the game at 13-13. The Aggies have scored on all three of their possessions.

-- Lori Dann

Johnson back at QB

Jerrod Johnson didn't stay out for long, returning to start the next possession after Texas A&M's first touchdown. And he has the Aggies on the move again, completing five passes on the drive, including a 44-yarder to Ryan Tannehill, to put A&M in prime scoring position at the Tech 15. With 11:13 left in the second quarter, the Red Raiders lead 13-10.

-- Lori Dann

Johnson out for Aggies

Stephen McGee is back, but it's not the kind of return the Aggies had hoped for. Sophomore Jerrod Johnson suffered a sprained knee when he was hit by a pair of defenders after a 12-yard-pass to Steven Tannehill down to the Texas Tech 6-yard line. Tech's Brandon Williams was flagged for roughing the passer on the play, moving the ball to the 3. Tannehill initially came in at QB and was stopped for no gain on a draw. Then he gave way to McGee, who has been out with a sprained shoulder since the Army game. McGee quickly fired a 3-yard TD pass to Tannehill to give Texas A&M a 10-7 lead. It's unclear whether Johnson will be able to return.

-- Lori Dann

A&M-Iowa State game time set

Texas A&M's game at Iowa State on Oct. 25 will be televised by Fox College Sports, with kickoff set for 6 p.m. The Aggies will play Texas Tech this Saturday at 11 a.m. on FSN Southwest.

-- Lori Dann