Stewart Has Game of His Life

TEXAS A&M; 36, KANSAS ST. 33, 2 OT

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Texas A&M;’s Branndon Stewart could have pulled a Billy Joe Hobert and not been ready for Saturday night’s Big 12 title game against Kansas State.

Stewart has had more downs than ups in his career. He transferred from Tennessee after losing the job to Peyton Manning. Then, after starting for the Aggies last year, Stewart lost his job early in the season to Randy McCown.

But when McCown was ruled out of the game mid-week because of broken collarbone, Stewart stepped in and had the game of his life.

“For some reason, I thought Branndon was going to have a good game tonight,” A&M; Coach R.C. Slocum said. “He had confidence this week and was relaxed in practice. Branndon was disappointed about Randy McCown not playing, but he was excited about this opportunity to play. I am extremely pleased with his performance. He has had some ups and downs in his career, but he has never been unselfish and he has always showed class.”

Stewart, a senior, was not only stellar, he played most of the game despite a hyperextended knee.

Stewart left the game with 5:54 left in the first quarter because of the injury.

“I heard a pop and I said, ‘Oh great,’ ” Stewart said. “But then it popped again and started to feel better.”

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Kansas State quarterback Michael Bishop had a magnificent night in defeat, passing for 341 yards and two touchdowns while also rushing for 101 yards in 28 carries.

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Slocum had been criticized for not being able to win big games.

Obvious tired of the tag, Slocum remarked: “Others can judge whether this was a big game or not.”

Earlier this season, the Aggies defeated second-ranked Nebraska, 28-21.

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Texas A&M; linebacker Dat Nguyen, a finalist for the Butkus Award, set a Big 12 championship game record with 17 tackles, surpassing the mark of 14 set by Texas’ Dusty Renfro in 1996.

It was the 29th game in which Nguyen has recorded more than 10 tackles.