Texas A&M; Throws Up Roadblock, Halts Southern Mississippi, 16-7

Texas A&M; Coach Jackie Sherrill was worried about Southern Mississippi’s running game. His fears were unwarranted.

The 14th-ranked Aggies stonewalled the Golden Eagles and pounded out a 16-7 victory Saturday night at College Station, Tex.

Texas A&M; (2-1) held Southern Mississippi (2-2), which was among the nation’s leaders in rushing with 265 yards a game, to 50 yards in 39 carries.

“We knew their running game would be a big test for us,” Sherrill said. “Defensively, we really got after them.”

But it wasn’t all that easy.

After a scoreless first half, the Aggies took control when tight end Rod Bernstine caught a 22-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Murray and Scott Slater kicked three field goals.

“We knew going in that Texas A&M; would be tough,” said Jim Carmody, Southern Mississippi coach. “They’ve had some great recruiting years, and many people picked them near the top in preseason polls. They’re a very good team, and we’re proud of the way we played against them, although we’re never satisfied with a loss.”

Texas A&M; controlled the ball for 11 minutes 22 seconds of the third quarter. Slater kicked a 27-yard field goal with 9:36 left in the third period, and Murray hit Bernstine for a touchdown on the Aggies’ next possession.