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Head Coach Mike Sherman, above, and quarterback Stephen McGee, left, speak Monday at a press conference held to discuss the Aggies' upcoming game against Arkansas State on Saturday.

Tailback Mike Goodson speaks at the press conference Monday about A&M's standing for the '08 season.

Aggies wary of wolves

Press conference addresses '08 season change-ups

By: Brett Sebastian

Posted: 8/26/08

Texas A&M football Head Coach Mike Sherman, senior quarterback Stephen McGee and junior running back Mike Goodson were present Monday at the first weekly media luncheon of the 2008 season. The three main themes of the conference were the upcoming game against Arkansas State, the team's transition to the Sherman era and the injury to fullback and fan favorite Jorvorskie Lane.

Sherman started the press conference with an analysis of Saturday's game against the Arkansas State Red Wolves.

"They are not going to be intimidated to come into Kyle Field," Sherman said. "Every year they play top teams in the country and they play them really well. They are a very well-coached team."

Arkansas State played at Texas and Tennessee last year and gave both powerhouse teams a scare. The Red Wolves led the Longhorns until late in the game before falling 21-13. They lost to the Volunteers 48-27.

In 2007, ASU quarterback Corey Leonard racked up 2,782 yards and 21 touchdowns - 547 of those yards and five touchdowns came on the ground. In addition, then sophomore running back Reggie Arnold rushed for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns.

"Their quarterback, Corey Leonard, is a heck of a kid and he can throw it and he can run it," Sherman said. "They can hurt you with their option game, but they can also throw the ball deep and he has a good group of receivers to throw to."

"Arkansas State is a really good football team," McGee added. "They are not going to be intimidated by anything. They go to big time schools every year and play them well. This is the first game of the year, they are healthy, and they are excited and it will be a great contest."

Looking beyond this weekend's football opener, much discussion was about the transition to the Sherman era, especially McGee's adaptation to the new Pro Style offense.

"It's going to be a different role than I think I had last year from an offensive perspective," McGee said. "I think that it's real fun to be part of a system like that. The fact that you can turn on the TV and Joe Montana is in the huddle in the 80's and he's calling the same plays that you are, that's pretty cool."

McGee has seemingly taken to Sherman's Pro offense well as noted by teammate Mike Goodson.

"He looks a lot more comfortable," Goodson said. "He's throwing the ball great and handling the ball great. He just looks like a whole new guy."

With a 58.8 percent completion rate, McGee is A&M's most accurate passer in school history. He sits sixth on the all time passing yards list with 4,889 yards and proved in last year's regular season finale against Texas that, when given consistent passing situations in a game, he can thrive. McGee threw for 362 yards and three touchdowns in the upset.

The final storyline of the conference was the injury to Jorvorskie Lane. Lane was injured with a stinger in practice on Aug. 13 and has not returned. Sherman downplayed the possibility of a concussion to Lane.

"He had the stinger in the shoulder, the neck injury, and at the same time, he had a head injury," Sherman said. "Now, whether we actually labeled it, we're so sensitive on how we label head injuries. A concussion? I can't honestly tell you that. But he's had some headaches."

All speakers noted that the Aggies are being overlooked this year and written off as a middle of the pack team. They were enthused about this underrated position.

"Personally I like flying under the radar," Goodson said. "It gives us an opportunity to catch a lot of people off guard."