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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/