Issue date: 7/25/07 Section: News

Media Credit: Texas A&M Athletic Department Texas A&M quarterback Stephen McGee speaks to journalists during the 2007 Big 12 Conference football media day Tuesday in San Antonio. [Click to enlarge]

SAN ANTONIO - The Texas A&M football team surprised many critics and pleased many fans with its nine win season in 2006, which included the first win over rival University of Texas since 1999. At Tuesday's Big 12 Media Day in San Antonio, Head Coach Dennis Franchione made it clear that the qualities which led to the previous year's success, will be the driving force in 2007. The Aggies have a schedule ranked by many as one of the toughest in the nation.

"They were 5-0 on the road last year," Franchione said. "That's certainly something to build on. That takes a degree of mental and physical toughness, and grit, fight and determination."

Franchione credited quality leadership as the catalyst which led his team to national prominence.

"We've got some great leaders on the team; probably the best leadership we've had since I've been at Texas A&M," he said.

Franchione said players like Stephen McGee, Joseph "Red" Bryant and Chris Harrington make the team what it is.

All three players, who also attended the media conference with Franchione, said the experience gained in 2006 would drive them to their ultimate goal.

"This team is hungry, we're starving," said junior quarterback Stephen McGee. "We came to A&M to win a championship, and we haven't done that. I hope we have the same personality we did last year. And that we play together, we play no matter what the scoreboard says."

Both Franchione and McGee brought up McGee's August injury as a contributing factor to his penchant for running the ball. The second day of August camp, McGee tore a muscle in his throwing arm, which prevented him from throwing until the week of the first game.

"He essentially missed all the throwing during August camp," Franchione said. "And as much as anything, he missed the pocket presence, the feel for the rush, and how to move in the pocket. As a result, I think we as coaches were probably trying to make sure that he didn't sit in the pocket and take a beating. e encouraged him to run with the football."

Continued...

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