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Texas A&M Football

Post-Game Review: Texas A&M 48, SMU 3

September 15, 2012
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Quick-hitters from Game 2 against SMU

Rising: Johnny Manziel. The redshirt fish quarterback set A&M freshman records for passing yards (294), touchdown passes (four) and total offense (418) in his second collegiate game. Imagine what this kid could do when he really figures out what’s going on.

Also, redshirt freshman receiver Mike Evans is emerging as a bone fide weapon. He caught six passes for 123 yards.

Falling: Running back Christine Michael and safety Steve Campbell were both suspended for the game for violating unspecified team rules. Neither was missed.

TexAgs Nwachukwu was quiet in the Aggies' opening game, but the senior caught two touchdowns on Saturday in A&M's late offensive explosion. {"Module":"photo","Alignment":"right","Size":"large","Caption":"Nwachukwu was quiet in the Aggies\u0027 opening game, but the senior caught two touchdowns on Saturday in A&M\u0027s late offensive explosion.","MediaItemID":21974}
Best hit: De’Vante Harris. Last week, the freshman cornerback was scolded for “ankle biting” on tackles. He redeemed himself on Saturday, especially on a jarring blow early in the fourth quarter.

Mustangs QB Garrett Gilbert threw a swing pass to slot receiver Darius Johnson. But before Johnson could take a step, Harris blasted him in the chest for a four-yard loss.

Best hands: Uzoma Nwachukwu. 'Eazy' caught two touchdown passes, but the second one was most impressive.

Facing third-and-11 at the SMU 12 late in the third quarter, Nwachukwu angled toward the left sideline in the end zone on a fade. As the pass from Manziel drew near, Nwachukwu leapt above SMU cornerback Jeremy Gray, leaned back and reached high to grab the pass and still managed to come down with his left foot in bounds for the touchdown.

Turning point: The Aggies held a mere 7-0 lead late in the second quarter when Manziel scrambled out of the pocket, found a gap in the SMU defense and raced 48 yards for a touchdown to give A&M a 13-0 advantage with 3:26 left in the half. After that, A&M scored on its next five possessions and never looked back.

Standing 'O': Though overshadowed by Manziel’s spectacular performance, the Texas A&M defense turned in another excellent effort. SMU’s offense had scored 76 points in the first two games but managed only three against the Aggies.

A&M has allowed just 23 points in two games. The Aggies, who led the nation in quarterback drops entering the game, also posted four sacks and have now accumulated 12.
 
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