This was a fantastic football weekend. To me it was close to being the quintessential football weekend — only some cooler weather could have made it better (well, that and an Aggie win). We’ve all heard the phrase, ”the pageantry of sport.” While it has been used so often it has become a cliche, it definitely described this football game.
Ever since Texas A&M upset Alabama in Tuscaloosa last year, everyone in Alabama and Texas has had this game circled on their calendar. And when game time finally arrived, the atmosphere was positively electric. It started Friday night when the Aggie Midnight Yell Practice (a sort of pep rally held before every football game) had a record attendance of over 50,000. 50,0000 – that’s just to get ready for the game. Attendance at the game was almost 88,000.
Half time was as incredible as the game. Alabama brought their Million Dollar Band, which was very good with their crimson uniforms and pretty twirlers. Then The Fightin’ Texas Aggie Band took the field. The world’s largest military marching band gave its usual incredible halftime performance of great march music and intricate maneuvers delighting us as usual and leaving Alabama fans in absolute awe.
And finally…
… the actual game. What a great game! We’re up 14 points. It’s tied. We’re down 7 points. We are going to tie it up. Oops, a broken route and an interception in the end zone. Halftime is Alabama 28-14 instead of 21 – 21. ‘Bama goes 3-and-out to open the second half. We are driving, and the receiver bobbles the ball on the 15 — interception and 85 yards for a TD. 35 – 14. Ags fight back, including a 95 yard touchdown pass on a 3rd and 9, and the game ends 49 – 42 with the Ags trying a last ditch on-side kick.
Of course you also need a Johnny Football update, so here it is. Johnny Manziel was fantastic and put himself right back at the top of the Heisman Trophy race for this year. He passed for 464 yards and 5 touchdowns. He also ran for 98 yards. His passing yardage and his total yardage are both in the top 5 all-time SEC performances.
I love this team. They gave this game and the fans absolutely everything they had. They left nothing on the field. Yes, I know the final score. But I also know they gained more yards and scored more points against a Nick Saban-coached Alabama team than any other team ever has. And they never quit. As Aggies say, they didn’t lose, they just ran out of time. It’s not often you walk away from a game that your team loses with smile on your face, but it happened this weekend. It was that good.
And no matter what the game’s outcome was, Texas A&M was absolutely a winner this weekend. In all respects, this was college football at its absolute best.
We wish all of you could have been there with us.