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Kansas State Head Coach Ron Prince said A&M junior running back Mike Goodson is as good as anybody he has seen in the past. Goodson has rushed for 332 yards and 4 touchdowns in 2008.

Aggies to clash with Wildcats Saturday at Kyle Field

By: Brett Sebastian

Posted: 10/10/08

The Texas A&M football team will continue its Big 12 conference schedule against Kansas State at Kyle Field on Saturday. Both teams are coming into the game 0-1 in conference play after losing in Week 1 to Oklahoma State and Texas Tech, respectively. The Aggies are 2-3 overall and the Wildcats are 3-2.

A&M lost its first Big 12 opener since 2006 with a 56-28 loss to Oklahoma State. Aggie Head Coach Mike Sherman said it's difficult losing but he feels confident in his coaching staff.

"It's very frustrating because the expectations are so high, as they should be," Sherman said. "I told myself that I was going to take it a day at a time. I guess what keeps me going is I believe in the process. I believe in the people I'm doing it with and I believe in our plan."

A&M is focusing on Kansas State this week and is looking for its first Big 12 victory of 2008. The Aggies defeated Kansas State in the 1998 Big 12 championship game, the only Big 12 championship A&M has won since the founding of the conference in 1996.

Saturday's game marks the first home Big 12 game of the season. In 2008, the Aggies are 1-2 at Kyle Field, a place that once boasted a 55-4-1 record during the 1990s.

"I think a win anytime is good, I'd take it anywhere," Sherman said. "At home, away, in the backyard - it doesn't matter. We just need to win a football game. It is nice to walk off this field, with these fans, having achieved that goal."

Though the fans crave wins, A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne wrote in his "Wednesday Weekly" that it takes a while to turn a football program around, especially with a new coach. Sherman said the offensive line improved last week and with the other facets of the game, is what he likes to see.

"I thought the [offensive line] pass-protected better this week," Sherman said. "I thought the quarterback had time to throw the football. And then from a running-game standpoint, I thought we blocked a lot better in displacing people."

The Aggies also have to contend with mounting injuries. During his news conference Monday, Sherman did not name a starting quarterback.

Sophomore Jerrod Johnson was banged up Saturday against Oklahoma State, and senior Stephen McGee is still recovering from an injury sustained early in the season.

"Jerrod took a couple shots in the [Oklahoma State] ballgame," Sherman said. "He made some big plays when he did take those shots, ironically, but health-wise he's no worse for the wear. He's a little sore like any quarterback would be but I thought physically he was OK."

Despite the injuries the Aggies have sustained, they will have to face Kansas State junior quarterback Josh Freeman, who leads the Wildcats with 1,275 passing yards and 12 touchdowns. Kansas State Head Coach Ron Prince said his team will be challenged this week against A&M.

"They are extraordinary," Prince said. "They have a terrific runner in [Mike Goodson]. He is as good as anybody I have seen in the past."