SB Nation Dallas - Texas A&M Trounces SMU, 46-14 https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48887/dallas-fave.png2011-09-04T22:35:24-05:00http://dallas.sbnation.com/rss/stream/21665722011-09-04T22:35:24-05:002011-09-04T22:35:24-05:00Aggies Show Their Stuff In 46-14 Win Over SMU
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<p>Texas A&M began their final campaign as a member of the Big 12 with a 46-14 victory over <span class="caps">SMU</span> at Kyle Field. It was a convincing opener for the Aggies, led by Ryan Tannehill’s efficient 21-26, 246 game with 2 TD and 0 <span class="caps">INT</span>. The passing game was supplemented by the dynamic running duo Christine Michael (14-85, 2 TD) and Cyrus Gray (21-132, 2 TD). Ryan Swope led the way on the receiving end, making a handful of fingertip grabs and totaling109 yards and a TD on eight catches.</p>
<p>Things were more balanced in terms of yards than on the scoreboard, as A&M outgained <span class="caps">SMU</span> just 458-347. A&M dominated field position, however, and two quick interceptions of Kyle Padron before he was pulled in favor of J.J. McDermott allowed the Aggies to assert dominance early.</p>
<p>McDermott battled back admirably, throwing for 254 yards and avoiding turnovers, despite six sacks. He had help early from Zach Line, who carried 22 times for 128 yards. A&M’s defense didn’t crack in the second half, though, shutting out <span class="caps">SMU</span> and allowing the offense to stretch the score.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/4/2405342/aggies-smu-46-14-winBrett Perryman2011-09-04T17:58:29-05:002011-09-04T17:58:29-05:00Texas A&M Vs. SMU: Aggies Open Final Big 12 Season Against Ponies
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<p>It’s been an action packed preseason for the Aggies, as they’ve flirted with the <span class="caps">SEC</span> and then divorced the Big 12 to join the football powerhouse conference. A&M now opens a season that could be memorable on several levels. Not only will they say goodbye to their longtime conference mates, Texas, Texas Tech and Baylor, they open in the top ten of all polls, armed with their best team in a decade.</p>
<p>The journey begins Sunday night at Kyle field, where the Aggies will take on the improving <span class="caps">SMU</span> Mustangs. Their offense should be high powered, led by potential Heisman candidate Ryan Tannehill and receiver Jeff Fuller. They blooded their young but now experienced offensive line last season, and eight starters return on the defensive side.</p>
<p>June Jones finally brought his Ponies back to what looked like a traditional <span class="caps">SMU</span> caliber squad last season, reaching the Conference <span class="caps">USA</span> championship game and a bowl. We could see a high scoring contest, as <span class="caps">SMU</span> moved the ball well under QB Kyle Padron last season.</p>
<p>Kickoff is at 6:30 <span class="caps">CDT </span>on <span class="caps">FSN</span>.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/4/2404986/texas-a-m-vs-smu-aggies-open-final-big-12-season-against-poniesBrett Perryman2011-09-03T23:02:37-05:002011-09-03T23:02:37-05:00LSU Opens Season In Grand Fashion, Tops Oregon 40-27 At Cowboys Stadium
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<p>The <span class="caps">LSU</span> Tigers and Oregon Ducks gave us one of the best early season matchups in years, as No. 3 and No. 4 met at a neutral site: Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, TX. Okay, not quite neutral, as the Ducks had about four times further to travel. Oregon didn’t look like their explosive selves early as the score was just 6-3 after the first quarter, but the scoring picked up from there.</p>
<p>At the start of the second quarter, <span class="caps">LSU</span> returned a fumbled punt three yards for their first touchdown, setting the tone for the night as they would score 47 points on just 273 yards of offense. Jarrett Lee passed for just 98 yards, but the Tigers used a powerful ground game that totaled 175 yards and four Ducks turnovers.</p>
<p>Oregon was unable to get their vaunted ground game, led by Heisman Trophy candidate LaMichael James, on track the entire game. They finished with 94 yards on the ground, just over one-third their 2010 average, and only managed 3.4 yards per carry. With the offense resting on Darron Thomas’ shoulders, Oregon was too one dimensional. He threw 53 times, but <span class="caps">LSU</span> kept the play in front of them all night and held the Ducks to 4.4 yards per pass play.</p>
<p>The end result was a 40-27 final in a game that was not inside of two scores for most of the second half. <span class="caps">LSU</span> figures to jump near the top of the polls on Sunday, while Oregon will have to battle back from an opening loss as they did in 2009, losing to Boise but qualifying for the Rose Bowl.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/3/2403756/lsu-oregon-score-cowboys-stadiumBrett Perryman2011-09-03T22:49:47-05:002011-09-03T22:49:47-05:00Oklahoma Mauls Tulsa, 47-14
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<p>We saw what we expected to see from a high powered Oklahoma Sooners offense that brought back Heisman Trophy candidate Landry Jones at QB, Ryan Broyles at receiver, and loads more starters. The Sooners piled up 663 yards and 47 points, while dominating the clock to the tune of 37 minutes of possession.</p>
<p>Jones threw for 375 yards and a touchdown before his backup Drew Allen finished things off. Dominique Whaley led the way on the ground, with 137 yards and four touchdowns. Brennan Clay also scored and added 64 yards, as Oklahoma finished with 264 yards rushing. Broyles led the way in the receiving game with 14 catches for 158 yards.</p>
<p>Defense was a bit of a different story for the Sooners. They allowed only garbage time scores at the end of each half, but more worrying was the 400 yards of offense the Golden Hurricane managed, including long pass plays and a decent ground game that totaled 129 yards on 31 carries.</p>
<p>It was never a game really, but it will serve as a decent warm-up for the nation’s top ranked team as they have two more weeks to prepare for their showdown with Florida State in Tallahassee on September 17.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/3/2403736/oklahoma-sooners-tulsa-47-14Brett Perryman2011-09-03T21:11:16-05:002011-09-03T21:11:16-05:00No. 1 Oklahoma Leads Tulsa 30-7 At Half
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<p>No. 1 Oklahoma has generally looked like a top ranked team in their season opening romp against state rival Tulsa. After leading just 3-0 with four minutes remaining in the first quarter, the Sooners offense got going, scoring four touchdowns before allowing a Golden Hurricane score just before half.</p>
<p>Landry Jones has his Heismen campaign underway, throwing 32 times in the first half. He completed 23 of them and hit Ryan Broyles for a 4-yard TD. Broyles has nine catches for 127 yards.</p>
<p>Dominique Whaley and Brennan Clay each have 11 carries for the Sooners, with Whaley scoring three times and Clay piling up 47 yards. In all, Oklahoma marched up and down for 362 yards in the half.</p>
<p>Trey Watts has led the way for Tulsa, running six times for 36 yards, while Bryan Burnham has caught two passes for 64 yards, including a 56-yard score from former Texas Longhorn G.J. Kinne.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/3/2403569/no-1-oklahoma-leads-tulsa-30-7-at-halfBrett Perryman2011-09-03T21:03:17-05:002011-09-03T21:03:17-05:00LSU Leads Oregon 16-13 At Halftime
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<p><span class="caps">LSU</span> and Oregon haven’t exactly engaged in a barn burner in their big season opening matchup at Jerry Jones Death Star (aka Cowboys Stadium), but things have picked up in the second quarter. After a first quarter market by three field goals, the two teams traded three touchdowns.</p>
<p>A <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/3/2403476/lsu-leads-oregon-9-6-after-wild-special-teams-td/in/2166572" target="new">wild play</a> on an <span class="caps">LSU</span> punt gave the Tigers a 9-6 lead before the Ducks engaged in a <a href="http://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/3/2403522/oregon-lsu-13-9-lamichael-james-td/in/2166572" target="new">marathon drive</a> that included 19 plays – that weren’t called back by penalties, and 22 overall – and covered 80 yards, capped by a LaMichael James score. Two changes of possession later, <span class="caps">LSU</span> went on their best drive of the half, a 13-play, 75-yard doozy that gave them a 16-13 lead with just 50 seconds remaining in the half.</p>
<p>Neither offense dominated, but Oregon was more effective, gaining 163 yards to LSU’s 113 and doing most of their damage through the air. The two Oregon turnovers have been the difference, though, as <span class="caps">LSU</span> has played the game at their pace and have kept the finely tuned Ducks offense from reaching top gear.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/3/2403558/lsu-leads-oregon-16-13-at-halftimeBrett Perryman2011-09-03T20:41:03-05:002011-09-03T20:41:03-05:00Oregon Reclaims 13-9 Lead With LaMichael James TD
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<p>Oregon retook the lead in their top-five showdown with <span class="caps">LSU</span> on a mammoth 19-play touchdown drive. The Ducks overcame 25 yards in penalties on their 80-yard drive that included ten complete Darron Thomas passes, six runs by LaMichael James, and no gains longer than 14 yards.</p>
<p>Among the offensive penalties overcome was a 15-yarder at LSU’s 15, creating a secon-and-goal at the 30. Despite two more penalties, Oregon reached the 12 before <span class="caps">LSU</span> committing a penalty of their own, providing Oregon with a new set of downs.</p>
<p>They took advantage with a four-yard touchdown run by LaMichael James on second down. The <span class="caps">PAT</span> gave the Ducks a 13-9 lead midway through the second quarter. <span class="caps">LSU</span> has held James in check, limiting him to 36 yards on 13 carries in the first half. They’ve only scored six offensive points of their own, though, and only 101 yards of offense.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/3/2403522/oregon-lsu-13-9-lamichael-james-tdBrett Perryman2011-09-03T20:10:40-05:002011-09-03T20:10:40-05:00LSU Leads Oregon 9-6 After Wild Special Teams TD
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<p>It had been a field goal battle through one quarter with Oregon leading <span class="caps">LSU</span> 6-3. On the first play of the second quarter, though, <span class="caps">LSU</span> punted from near midfield. Oregon’s Kenjon Barner was hit by Tyrann Mathieu and fumbled. The ball bounced right to Mathieu, and he ran it in from three yards out for LSU’s first touchdown of the season.</p>
<p>Drew Alleman had already hit a 44-yard field goal for <span class="caps">LSU</span> earlier in the game, but he hooked the <span class="caps">PAT</span> wide left, holding LSU’s lead at 9-6.</p>
<p>On the ensuing Oregon drive, Darron Thomas was intercepted on just their second play, setting <span class="caps">LSU</span> up in good field position. The Ducks held, though, forcing a three-and-out.</p>
https://dallas.sbnation.com/2011/9/3/2403476/lsu-leads-oregon-9-6-after-wild-special-teams-tdBrett Perryman