Issue date: 11/6/06 Section: Sports

Spencer Selvidge - THE BATTALION Oklahoma linebacker Zach Latimer tries to tackle A&M running back Jorvorskie Lane during the Sooners' 17-16 win over the Aggies Saturday at Kyle Field.

The Aggies fell one point short Saturday night against Oklahoma, losing by a score of 17-16. However, the margin of victory was not the only statistic in which the number one had an impact on the game.

"We just didn't have the extra yard in us tonight," said Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee.

Prior to downing the ball twice to lose five yards in the final minute, Oklahoma converted a fourth and one play with a two-yard run to give the Sooners a 268-267 advantage in total yardage. If A&M had made the stop, it would have gained possession with roughly one minute left on the 30-yard line.

"We just needed one more little stop there and we might have been able to get back in field goal range and have a chance to win the football game," said A&M head coach Dennis Franchione.

The Sooners' fourth down conversion also gave them one more first down for a 16-15 advantage against the Aggies.

Texas A&M tried to use one to their advantage on the play, but in a manner against NCAA rules. The Aggies had one extra man on the field, resulting in an illegal participation penalty.

Although there was some confusion on the final series, the A&M defense allowed only 68 yards and three points in the second half, but in quarter number one the Sooners did more damage than the Aggies could overcome. Oklahoma's Patrick Allen ran for 101 of his 173 yards in the first quarter.

"That's where the game was won, in the first quarter,"' said safety Melvin Bullitt. "(They) scored 14 (points) real fast and that was it."

The only second half points for Oklahoma were a result of A&M's one turnover, when McGee was intercepted and the ball was returned inside the 10-yard line. The A&M defense held Oklahoma to a field goal on the possession.

Following the game, Franchione said he was proud of his team's effort and recalled A&M's fortunes throughout the season in similar games.

"We've had a lot of games where we came up one play to the positive, and it didn't quite turn out that way."

Earlier in the year, both Oklahoma and Texas A&M were on the opposite ends of one point games. Oklahoma lost 34-33 to Oregon and A&M beat Oklahoma State by the same score.

"It sucks," said defensive end Chris Harrington. "Just one more stop and we would have done it. We've been on the other side of this deal and we won by one point."

For the Sooners, it was their second consecutive victory over a one-loss team after defeating Missouri one week ago. However, the Aggies' second loss of the season will always feel like the one that got away.

"Just one of those things where you don't think you're going to come up short and you do," Bullitt said. "The whole time you believe you're going to win and it's just like somebody breaking your heart."

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools