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The Citadel - September 2nd @ Kyle Field The Citadel is one of those games that the Aggies should win with ease, especially when you think about the contest being @ Kyle Field and many of the other factors - new season, new attitude, defense on a mission, fans on a mission, etc - playing to A&M's advantage. But too many times folks write these early-season games on paper and figure them to go decidedly in the favor of the power-conference team, only to be surprised. Remember Texas State? The Citadel, much like the Bobcats, possesses an offense capable of giving the A&M defense fits, at least as it relates to scheme and formations. And it doesn't stop there. The Bulldog spread option will feature a number of returning players...Junior quarterback and 1000 yard passer Duran Lawson (lost to ACL injury after only 4 games in 2005), RB Nuru Goodrum (800 yards in '05), WR's Ta'Mar Jernigan and Rontreal Tyler, two top TE's in Taylor Cornett and Aaron Kelly and 4 starters along the offensive front, including fifth-year seniors Adam Peterson and brothers, Caleb and Cliff Cornant. Citadel coach Kevin Higgins is excited with what he has seen early this fall. Much like A&M, it appears as if the experience on the team has resulted in the kids' attitude providing for a positive and productive work environment. Higgins states, "Our team has come a lot farther from last year." "They have had an outstanding summer and it has shown today (first day of fall drills). It is obvious that these kids have been working out over the summer. They are bigger, faster and stronger than from when they left in the spring." A crafty offense, experienced players, a renewed attitude leading to excellent off-season workouts. Hmmmmmmm....…sound familiar? Well forget about it! It'a not gonna happen! The experience and scheme of the Citadel, along with the fact that it's the first game of the season, could allow The Bulldogs to have a little success early, especially offensively, but the game will eventually be won because the Aggies are much bigger and much stronger in the trenches.The A&M OL outweighs The Citadel defensive front by over 50 pounds/man. The Aggie DL is better by almost 20 pounds per. The Aggies will likely wear the Bulldogs down and win this one going away. Add a few turnovers and it could be a runaway from the start, but don't underestimate The Citadel's ability to get a few yards and at least keep this one close for a little bit. What to look for from the Aggies on offense: A big size disadvantage along the front for The Citadel at the same time the running game is a strong point for the Aggies - OUCH! RB Javorskie Lane should own the middle of the field, allowing Stephen McGee, Courtney Lewis and/or Michael Goodson to pick up big chunks of real estate on the outside. Further, there's the real possibility to take a couple to the house as everyone tries to overplay - or jump on - The TRAIN. In addition, look for McGee to show off a few passing skills (Tellus??) as the game plays itself out and The Citadel begins to focus on the A&M rushing attack a little too much. What to look for from the A&M defense when The Citadel has the ball: A faster, smarter and more enthusiastic group of defenders. I've always said that defense is about 90% attitude and desire. Put those new kids at home amid the Kyle Field atmosphere and the Cadets of the Citadel could be in for an early wake-up call. Red Bryant should shut down the middle and the secondary has likely grown up and should improve significantly over their '05 type performances. Misi Tupe will be known before the day is out. Surprise possibilities: Misi Tupe, Michael Goodson, Pierre Brown, Tellus (because of his big play possibilities as a receiver), Johnathan Batson, Cyril Obiozor, Mark Dodge, Matt Szymanski. They're baaaaack: It's good to see L'Tydrick Riley, Earvin Taylor and Chad Schroeder all back from injury. This should go a long way in solidifying both of the run and pass games on offense. ASN prediction: Texas A&M 55 The Citadel 13 A&M two-deep and projected starters (8/15): OFFENSE WR "Z" 14 Chad Schroeder 6-1 181 Sr-3L Austin, TX (Westlake) 5 Howard Morrow 6-0 215 So-1L Keller, TX (Fossil Ridge) QT 71 Yemi Babalola 6-4 308 So-1L Bryan, TX (Bryan) 72 Alex Kotzur 6-5 290 Sr-2L Houston, TX (St. Thomas) QG 64 Kirk Elder 6-4 312 Jr-2L Klein, TX (Klein Oak) 78 Michael Shumard 6-5 299 Fr-R Fort Hood, TX (Harker Heights) C 70 Cody Wallace 6-4 296 Jr-1L Cuero, TX (Cuero) 63 Kevin Matthews 6-3 296 FrRS Sugar Land, TX (Elkins) SG 51 Chris Yoder 6-3 318 Jr-2L Houston, Tx (Kingwood) 77 Grant Dickey 6-5 313 Sr-2L Tyler, TX (Lee/Tyler JC) ST 54 Corey Clark 6-6 311 Jr-2L Spring Branch, TX (Sm Valley) 73 Travis Schneider 6-7 298 So-1L Bellville, TX (Bellville) TE 3 Martellus Bennett 6-7 248 So-1L Alief, TX (Taylor) 81 Joey Thomas 6-5 248 Jr-2L Austin, TX (Westlake) WR 8 Kerry Franks 5-10 185 Jr-2L Orange, TX (West Orange-Stark) 88 Cody Beyer 6-1 180 Fr-HS San Antonio, TX (Smithson Valley) WR "H" 2 Earvin Taylor 6-3 244 Jr-2L Mission, TX (Mission) 6 Pierre Brown 6-1 203 So-1L Duncanville, TX (Duncanville) QB 7 Stephen McGee 6-3 207 So-1L Burnet, TX (Burnet) 19 Ty Branyon 6-3 213 Sr-2L Austin, TX (Bowie) FB 24 Chris Alexander 5-11 246 Jr-2L Humble, TX (Humble) 39 Greg Boothe 6-1 221 Sr-SQ LaGrange, TX (LaGrange) TB 25 Courtney Lewis 6-0 204 Sr-3L Houston, TX (Madison) OR 11 Jorvorskie Lane 5-11 274 So-1L Lufkin, TX (Lufkin) DEFENSE DE 92 Chris Harrington 6-5 263 Jr-2L Houston, TX (St. Pius) 89 Jason Jack 6-4 275 Jr-2L Humble, TX (Humble) OR 84 Chris Smith 6-5 270 So-SQ Allen, TX (Allen) DT 35 Bryce Reed 6-1 304 Sr-3L Dallas, TX (Samuel) 95 Henry Smith 6-3 318 Jr-RS Aliceville, AL Cent [MS] JC DT 85 Red Bryant 6-5 330 Jr-2L Jasper, TX (Jasper) 94 Marques Thornton 6-1 288 Sr-3L Houston, TX (Madison) DE 49 Cyril Obiozor 6-4 270 So-1L Pearland, TX (Pearland) 11 Michael Bennett 6-4 263 So-1L Alief, TX (Taylor) LB 50 Mark Dodge 6-2 219 Jr-TR Yerington, NV/Feather River 37 Misi Tupe 5'10 240 Jr-TR St.George, Utah (Dixie State) LB 10 Justin Warren 6-3 245 Sr-3L Tyler, TX (Lee) 41 Matt Featherston 6-2 250 Fr-RS Poughkeepsie, NY WHIP 48 Arkeith Brown 6-0 175 So-1L El Campo, TX (El Campo) 30 Chevar Bryson 6-0 186 Fr-RS Midland, TX (Lee) CB 4 Danny Gorrer 6-0 182 So-1L Port Arthur, TX (Memorial) 13 MarquisCarpenter 6-0 179 Jr-1L Melbourne, FL Coffeyville CB 27 Jordan Peterson 5-10 192 Fr-RS Lexington, TX (Lexington) 34 Marcus Gold 5-7 180 Fr-RS Irving, TX (Irving) FS 26 Devin Gregg 5-11 195 So-1L Spring, TX (Westfield) 28 Japhus Brown 5-11 203 Jr-2L Edna, TX (Edna) SS 33 Melvin Bullitt 6-1 204 Sr-3L Garland, TX(NaamanForest) 16 Alton Dixon 5-11 207 So-1L Lufkin, TX (Lufkin) SPECIALISTS PLK 32 Layne Neumann 6-0 175 Sr-2L Hondo, TX (Hondo) 27 Richie Bean 6-0 180 So-1L Marrero, LA (John Ehret) P 44 Justin Brantley 6-3 232 So-1L Sealy, TX (Sealy) 27 Richie Bean 6-0 180 So-1L Marrero, LA (John Ehret) SNP 84 Chris Smith 6-5 270 So-SQ Allen, TX (Allen) 47 Cory Davis 6-0 256 So-SQ Conroe, TX (Conroe) HOLD 14 Chad Schroeder 6-1 181 Sr-3L Austin, TX (Westlake) KOR 25 Courtney Lewis 6-0 204 Jr-2L Houston, TX (Madison) PR 14 Chad Schroeder 6-1 181 Sr-3L Austin, TX (Westlake The Citadel two-deep and projected starters: OFFENSE LT - 75 Cale Conant 6-4 265 Sr. 79 Dan DeHaven 6-3 280 RSFr. LG - 70 John Muirhead 6-1 290 So. 74 David Morbitzer 6-2 274 So. C - 65 Chris McDowell 6-3 284 Jr. 65 Thomas Suggs 6-3 275 RSFr. RG - 67 Adam Peterson 6-5 295 Sr. 63 Clay Carruth 6-1 265 Sr. RT - 76 Cliff Conant 6-5 291 Sr. 72 Phillip Provence 6-2 258 RsFr. X - 1 Gary Domanski 5-10 185 Sr. 82 Marcus McKnight 6-2 188 Sr. H - 11 Joshua Haney 5-9 185 So. 38 Derek Moore 5-7 175 RsFr. P - 84 Taylor Cornett 6-2 238 So. 83 Aaron Kelly 6-2 245 Jr. Z - 17 Ta'Mar Jernigan 5-11 178 Jr. 9 Rontreal Tyler 5-11 190 Sr. QB - 7 Duran Lawson 6-0 191 Jr. 12 Ben Carnell 6-2 202 So. T - 41 Nuru Goodrum 6-0 233 Sr. - 23 Tory Cooper 5-7 181 Jr. DEFENSE R - 42 James Wilson 6-2 255 Sr. 97 Nick Fender 6-2 233 Sr. T - 91 Kevin McCaskill 6-1 256 So. 93 Lukas Gleissner 5-11 263 Sr. N - 98 Deon Douglas 6-2 243 Sr. 94 Jacob Bryant 6-0 262 Jr. E - 90 Trevar Broughton 6-2 219 Jr. 57 Chase Carlton 6-1 229 Sr. S - 53 Raleigh Jackson 6-2 220 Sr. 45 Charles Major 6-1 226 RsFr. W - 44 Chris Murray 5-10 216 Sr. 34 Steve Spann 5-10 209 So. M - 54 Andrew Rowell 5-10 213 Jr. 26 Preston Brown 5-8 184 So. FC - 37 Justin Matherson 5-10 167 Sr. 25 Shaquill Smith 5-10 155 RSFr. SS - 31 Joshua Lawson 5-11 194 Jr. 2 Kendrick Lyles 5-10 205 Jr. FS - 27 Dwight House 5-10 189 So. 12 Jonathan Vest 5-10 185 So. BC - 5 Earl Whitmore 6-0 174 Jr. 3 Tillman Millhouse 5-10 160 RsFr. SPECIALISTS K - 33 Blake Vandiver 6-1 192 Sr. 36 Mike Adams 5-11 185 Jr. LS - 97 Nick Fender 6-2 233 Sr. 68 Jeffrey Hodish 6-1 244 So. P - 88 Mark Kaspar 6-1 200 So. 36 Mike Adams 5-11 185 Jr. |