Texas A&M; Gets Past Texas, 34-13

No. 4 Texas A&M;, campaigning for a national championship, erupted with a 17-point second quarter that included two touchdowns by Rodney Thomas and survived Texas’ third-quarter rally for a 34-13 victory Thursday.

Texas A&M; (12-0, 7-0 in the Southwest Conference), which has won 21 consecutive regular-season games, remained one of three unbeaten, untied teams. The others are No. 1 Miami (10-0) and No. 2 Alabama (11-0).

The Aggies have won eight of the last nine games against Texas but trail, 64-30-5, in the series. Texas A&M; will be the host team in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day.

Texas (6-5, 4-3) ended its first season under Coach John Mackovic, the school’s 100th playing football. The Longhorns needed a victory over Texas A&M; for a berth in the Hancock Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

The Aggies took a 17-3 halftime lead on two six-yard runs by Thomas and a 42-yard field goal by Terry Venetoulias, all in the second quarter, and threatened to make the game a rout.

But the Longhorns erupted in the third quarter with a 56-yard kickoff return by Mike Adams and a tricky 18-yard touchdown catch by quarterback Peter Gardere, who lateraled to wide receiver Darrick Duke and then took the return pass down the right sideline 28 seconds into the third quarter.

On A&M;’s next possession, Texas’ Van Malone recovered a fumble that led to a 42-yard field goal by Scott Szeredy with 11:01 to play in the quarter.

The rally merely woke up the Aggies, who took advantage of a fumble recovery by Steve Solari at the Texas 37 to set up a 28-yard field goal by Venetoulias. Moments later, Thomas scored his third touchdown on a two-yard dive.

Aaron Glenn put the final touches on the victory with a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown with 3:04 to play. The Longhorns had driven to A&M;’s 12.