Image provided by: Texas A&M University
About The Battalion. (College Station, Tex.) 1893-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 9, 2002)
k* Sports The Battalion Page 5 • Monday, September 9, 2002 Aggies win close call, Farris pulled again Helpful penalty and backup QB Dustin Long, help A&M squeak by Pittsburgh By Kevin Espenlaub THE BATTALION The No. 20 Texas A&M Aggies (2-0) did just enough to pull out of Heinz Field in Pittsburgh Saturday afternoon with a 14-12 win. The Aggie defense came through with under a minute remaining in the game to force a turnover and seal the victory for A&M. After an 84-yard dive for a touchdown to open the fourth quarter, the University of Pittsburgh Panthers were called for two illegal shifts on the extra point attempt before soph omore kicker J.B. Bibboney missed a 30-yard kick, cutting the Aggie lead to eight points. “We've been doing that in formation for all of last year and one game this year,” said Pittsburgh head coach Walt Harris. “It was a lot of hocus-pocus. It became an illegal shift. They were calling something that has never before been called. It’s hard to live with right now." The Panthers (1-1) lined up with eight players on the left hash before shifting the team to the center of the field to block for Gibboney’s kick. Flags flew for the first two attempts out of the formation, known as the swinging gate, negating consecutive success ful kicks before Gibboney’s third attempt sailed wide right. In post-game interviews, neither Harris nor A&M head coach R.C. Slocum could explain exactly what the penalty was. “That really played right into our hands,” said A&M senior linebacker Brian Gamble. “That was a big play in the ball game, so 1 guess you have to thank the officials for that one." After driving for 74 yards and scoring another touchdown with only 2:02 remain ing in the ball game. Panther quarterback Rod Rutherford’s pass to wide-out Lamar Slade fell incomplete on the two-point con version attempt, and the Aggies managed to drain the clock in time to escape with a two- point victory. “I had a lot of fun today,” said A&M red- shirt freshman Jaxson Appel, who intercept ed a pass for the second consecutive game in the fourth quarter on Saturday. “You really live for games like that one. Being success ful in situations like that are what make champions, champions.” While the Aggie defense held the Panthers to only 34 yards of offense in the first half, A&M's offense was unable to take advantage and senior quarterback Mark Farris was lifted from the game in the second quarter for the second consecutive week after the offense continued to struggle. Before leaving, Farris led the Aggies on their only scoring drive of the first half, capped off by a 1-yard run by sophomore Derek Farmer behind the right tackle. “We came in and they had a quick count and they got it," said Pitt Linebacker Gerald Hayes. “It didn’t look like a touchdown, but they did get in.” Farris, who completed only five of his 13 pass attempts, was taken out of the game one series later and sophomore Dustin Long took the snaps for the remainder of the game. “At a point early in the game, I realized that the numbers weren’t good and there wasn't much production (from the offense),” Slocum said. “I decided to try a new combi nation and see if we could get something started out there. We need to improve and I'm willing to tweak some things to try to get that improvement.” Long went 4-for-6 passing in the first half after taking over for Farris with 3:30 remain ing in the second quarter. Early in the second half. Long guided the Aggies on a 64-yard drive that included com pletions of 16 and 37 yards, before Farmer broke through the left side of the Aggie offen sive line for his second aishing touchdown of the game. “I think it started out pretty well today,” Long said. “I had a couple down spots, but the more experience you get playing in games, the better off you'll be. It gives everyone a chance to get comfortable with you and (gives) you a chance to get comfort able with them.” Slocum said he will use the extra week’s practice before next week’s open date to look through film and decide who will be playing at each position. “Of course I would like to start next game,” Long said. “It’s the goal of every quar terback to go out and start the game.” When asked if he felt Farris was still the starting quarterback after his performance on Saturday, Long said, “I believe so.” Long finished the game with nine comple tions on 18 attempts and passed for 119 yards. The Panthers entered the game with the nation’s second-longest winning streak, which ended at seven games. “It was a tough game to lose,” Harris said. “And it was tough to lose it the way we lost it. We struggled for a long time on offense, but we were fighting and fighting at the end. It was unfortunate the way the game turned out.” Sophomore running back Derek Farmer runs past Pittsburgh's junior linebacker Lewis Morre in the opening play at Heinz Field on Saturday. Farmer also had to rushing touchdowns in the game. SPORTS IN BRIEF A&M volleyball falls to Wisconsin The Texas A&M volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, falling to Wisconsin, 30- 23, 25-30, 30-25 and 30-28. The No. 17 Aggies (5-1) defeat ed Montreal and Illinois State on Friday before losing to Wisconsin. Against the Badgers, the Aggies were led by all-tournament selec tions Melissa Munsch and A.D. Achilefu who combined for 30 kills. Outside hitter Laura Jones added 10 kills in the losing effort. "We came up against a very solid team who is very powerful at the net and plays great defense," said A&M head coach Laurie Corbelli. "They return three or four seasoned players from last year, and this early in the sea son, that makes a big difference." The Aggies play again next Friday in the McDonalds' Aggie Invitational II. Aggie Soccer loses to Stanford The No. 3 Texas A&M women's soccer team travelled to California this weekend to battle No. 2 Stanford University and No. 11 University of California at Berkeley. The first game of the road trip was a heartbreaking loss for the Aggies, as they fell to the Stanford Cardinal 1-0 in overtime. "We are all disappointed with the loss," said A&M head coach G. Guerrieri. "We now know that there are things we can improve on, but we also know that there are some things we can build on." Cardinal freshman Jennifer Farenbaugh scored the game winning goal in the 103rd minute of play by beating Aggie freshman goal keeper Katie Jo Spisak. Spisak made eight saves before giving up the game winner. • Lightning Prediction Tests—On the second Tuesday of every month at approximately I 2:30 p.m. the Department will test their lightning prediction equipment located at the Student Rec Center, Penberthy IM Center and the Texas A&M Golf Course. You will hear a series of horn blasts that will mimic a lightning warning. • West Side Entrance—Rec Members may enter the Rec Center through the Backyard west side entrance that faces Reed Arena, Monday—Thursday from 11:30 a.m.—11:00 p.m. and Friday-Sunday from 11:30 a.m.-8:00 p.m. • Outdoor Pool CLOSED—The Outdoor Pool is now closed for renovation. Please consult the Natatorium sched ule for lap swim times and availability. We appreciate your patience during this process. Don't Miss the Intramural Action Intramural participants please remember that registration ends at 6:00 p.m. Please visit the Member Services Desk for your chance to play. Program Pre-Season Flag Football Flag Football Badminton Golf Registration Sept. 9-1 7 Sept. 9-1 7 Sept. 9-1 7 Sept. 9-1 7 Cost $ 10/team $ 40/team FREE $3 5/person IM Job Opportunities Flag Football Officials Training: TONIGHT at 7:00p.m. in rm 281. • FALL SALE—Personal Training Sessions—Don't miss out on this chance to save big on Rec Sport Certified Personal Training Sessions. Save $10 off on 10 and 1 5 session packages until the end of the day September 15th. Come by Member Services TODAY! • HEALTHY LIVING LECTURE—Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. in room 281 of the Rec Center. September 25: Body Image. • TRAINERS ON DUTY—A Rec Sports Certified Personal Trainer will be on duty in the Weight and Fitness Room during most peak hours to teach proper exercise technique, give exer cise tips and inform patrons about the Rec Sports personal training programs available. • Women On Weights—SEPTEMBER 14 from 11 :00 a.m.-l :00 p.m. in the Weight and Fitness Room. Enjoy this FREE work shop that will focus on teaching proper lifting technique on free weight equipment as well as with Hammer Strength machines. Contact Jerod Wilson at 845-3058 for information. • Marathon Training—Training begins September 18 after the 5:30 p.m. informational meeting in room 281. This program is limited to the first 75 runners and is geared to get you ready for the HP Houston Marathon in January. Getting Better-A&M Golf Course • It's a great time to play! So many changes are under way at your A&M Golf course. Come by and find out why this tradi tion will continue on for another 50 years. Student and twilight rates available, along with a full line of golfing apparel in the Pro Shop. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. Call 845-1 723 for tee times. Program Lead Climb Clinic Rock Climbing 101 Kayak Roll Clinic Women's Rock Climb Fly Fish Llano River Registration Sept. 2-1 6 Sept. 2-1 8 Sept. 2-23 Sept. 2-23 Sept. 2-23 Event Date Sept. 1 7 Sept. 22 Sept. 24 Sept. 27-29 Sept. 28-29 • Rec Center Rock Wall—Now is the time to renew your Rock Wall pass. Classes are held at 3:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday and at 3:00 p.m. on Friday for only $5. Make climbing your new goal-stay healthy and have fun while rock climbing. Everything You Need to Know • ALWAYS Online!—Visit Rec Sports online and find all the information you need to know about-events, IM Headlines, student employment opportunities, program schedules, prices, building hours, etc. Rec Sports Employment • Lifeguards—Applications will be accepted until September 1 2. The screening will take place Sept. 1 2 at 6:00 p.m. in the Natatorium. For more information, call 862-4968. • Rec Sports Medics—Medics needed to work the Depart ment's facilities. Apply in room 158 or call 862-4145 for information. recsports. tem. etfi/
