The next hurricane

Sherman analyzes Miami game, Aggies prepare

By: Jack Molitor

Posted: 9/16/08

A year ago Texas A&M was stopped in its tracks by Miami at the Orange Bowl. The Aggies were manhandled at the line of scrimmage and outpaced by the Hurricane's speed and lost the game 34-17. The Orange Bowl has since been demolished, and A&M Head Coach Mike Sherman said he hopes the feeling of the dispiriting loss is gone with it.

"I think the loss could be pinpointed at a few big plays that gave Miami control of the game," Sherman said. "At a certain point the game just got out of hand. The key will be limiting those big plays and keeping them under control."

Sherman and the coaching staff had no hand in the loss, but the sting is still felt by junior safety Jordan Peterson and senior quarterback Stephen McGee. Both were starters in the game, and both said they are trying to keep their focus on this year's meeting.

Peterson, who made the shift to free safety this year, said he was happy about the transition. He considers this to be a different game and hopefully a different story.

"Miami is Miami," he said. "They will always have great athletes but nothing we can't handle."

McGee had more to worry about during the bye week than preparing for Miami. After sustaining a shoulder injury and missing much of the 28-22 victory at New Mexico, McGee participated sparingly in practice and spent the weekend rehabilitating.

"Earlier in the week, the coaches asked me to pick up the ball and throw it so they could watch me," McGee said. "I think it looked like my little sister throwing."

But McGee said the swelling has almost disappeared and he was over the pain. He said he has made considerable strides the past three days.

Still, Sherman was not ready to make a decision for quarterback. After leading the Aggies to their first victory a week ago, sophomore Jerrod Johnson took all the snaps in practice over the week and remains the first string. Sherman said McGee will be reevaluated Wednesday and a decision will be made. Even if McGee starts, Johnson could see some playing time.

Whoever starts, Sherman and the players said the Aggie offense will have its hands full against the Hurricane defense. Sherman and McGee said the Hurricanes have one of the best frontlines in the country, and their speed, power and aggression will be difficult to contend with.

Speed and athleticism were the operative words on the other side of the ball. Defensive coordinator Joe Kines said the skill positions for Miami are inexperienced, with new receivers and two freshmen quarterbacks, but the offensive line was one of the biggest the Aggies would see. Senior defensive lineman Michael Bennett said Oklahoma was probably the only larger offensive line A&M will see in 2008.

"They look like the Miami of old," Kines said. "[The offensive line is] a huge unit."

The defense will also prepare for both Miami quarterbacks. Robert Marve, who played in the 26-3 loss to Florida in Week 3, was billed as a pocket passer. Jacory Harris, who played in both of the Hurricanes' games, was considered a scrambler. Bennett said he hopes to see both quarterbacks for the experience.

Kines said the defense was still in a transition phase and needs work. He used unique metaphors to describe where his unit is.

"We have two bricks and some mortar, and everyone wants to know what color the roof is," he said. "We need to take care of the basics and specific things before we focus on the big picture. The defense right now is like my wife's cooking. It's just a fact. You can't change it whether you like it or not."