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O r he Battalion
FFENSE
Friday • September 5, 1997
RLE PHOTO/The Battalion
Junior running back Sirr Parker cuts through a hole
against the University of North Texas last year.
Back to fundamentals
A more experienced offensive unit looks to explode
By Travis V. Dabney
Staff writer
T urnovers, turnovers and more
turnovers spelled doom for the 1996
version of the talented but young
Texas A&M offense last year.
This year, however, the Aggies hope to
considerably cut down the 28 turnovers
from last season and give themselves a
better chance to prove what a truly explo
sive offensive power they can be.
Heading the offense this year will be
new offensive coordinator Steve Marshall,
who came from UCLA where he was the
offensive line coach.
Marshall plans to bring a powerful run
ning attack to the Aggie offense but said
he will not hesitate to implement the
passing game as well.
“It is hard to be an unbalanced team in
college football today and win on a con
sistent basis,” he said.
The Aggies lost three offensive starters
from 1996 team including receiver Albert
Connell now with the Washington
Redskins, Dome Hawkins and last years
starting center, Calvin Collins, who is with
the Atlanta Falcons.
Ready to step in and bring stability to the
receiver corps is sophomore Leroy Hodge,
who is 6-foot, 3-inch
and 207 pounds.
Hodge saw limited
action in the 1996
because of he backed
up senior Connell, but
had an impressive 14
yard average per catch.
“We want to have a
much better season this
year, the offense wants
to play well and we are
all mentally tougher
after last season,” Hodge said.
Along with Hodge will be a group of
receivers that have all shown the ability to
be good college players but need playing
time to prove it.
Aaron Oliver leads this list because he
Hodge
has struggled with injury problems
throughout his three years at A&M.
With an injury-free year the duo of
Hodge and Oliver could prove to be an
excellent combination.
Backing up the starters will be Chris
Taylor, Cole, Matt Bumgardner and
Darren Brinkley.
All of the receivers have taken their
share of criticism the past few years but
the attitude with this group seems to be
one of confidence, but not cockiness.
“Things have happened in the past
here with the receivers that have been hurt
and Albert (Connell) was the only one who
seemed to make plays in the past, but we
will assert ourselves this year and prove
that we are a talented group,” Hodge said.
The tight end position should also
mean strength for the Aggies this season
as they return their top three tight ends of
Derrick Spiller, Dan Campbell and Matt
Mahone.
Please see Offense on Page 11.
A Uttle older and wiser
The offensive line has become
a well-oiled machine for 1997
By Chris Ferrell
Sports editor
T hey are a machine. A 1,466 pound, five man
machine. Pulling, driving, firing out. All
accomplishing individual assignments so
the parts can function as a whole.
There are no magazine covers. There are no
individual statistics, either. They are seldom
noticed unless there is a mistake and under
appreciated by the people in the stands.
But there is hard work and dedication. There
are countless hours spent in the weight room.
There is the constant barrage of ice packs and
tape. And the many broken fingers and toes. The
trenches where they battle are violent places.
They are offensive lineman. And they are
among the nation’s best.
“I think we’re going to have a really good offen
sive line this year,” said senior All-Conference
guard candidate Steve McKinney. “We’re good
players. We’re not just guys that fell into starting
rolls last season.”
Four members from last season’s line return.
Along with McKinney, tackles senior Chris
Ruhman and junior Cameron Spikes and sopho
more guard Semisi Heimuli return to the line up.
They will be joined by senior center Koby
Hackradt, who missed most of last season with
injuries after starting as a sophomore.
The five starting members of the Texas A&M
Football Team’s offensive line have combined to
start 76 games over their careers.
“They’ve been through the battles,” offensive
coordinator Steve Marshall said. “They know a lit
tle bit more about what’s going on, they under
stand about protections and things. When things
break down, they know how to fix them.
“We’re still not old, but we have guys who have
played in games and have learned to be success
ful.”
Spikes said the line gained valuable experience
last season.
Please see Line on Page 11.
RLE PHOTO/The Battalion
Junior right guard Semisi Heimuli fends off University of Oklahoma linebacker
Tyrell Peters last year at Kyle Field.
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On the line
Ruhman
McKinney
Hackradt
Heimuli
Spikes
Senior who
Made smooth
Returning
Led the
Posted a
has made 24
transition
after an
Aggies with
school record
consecutive
from
injury in 1996
435 pound
610-pound
starts
defensive line
season
bench press
lift in squat