Texas A&M; Rallies for Emotional Victory

With flags at half-staff and “Amazing Grace” played at halftime, Texas A&M; defeated rival Texas, 20-16, Friday in a game played amid mourning for the 12 people who died building a traditional bonfire.

Before a crowd of 86,128--the largest ever to see a game in Texas--No. 24-ranked Texas A&M;, 8-3 overall and 5-3 in the Big 12 Conference, was down 16-6 at halftime and pulled within 16-13 when Ja’Mar Toombs scored his second touchdown on a nine-yard run in the third quarter.

Texas A&M; went ahead 20-16 with 5:02 left in the game on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Randy McCown to Matt Bumgardner.

No. 7 Texas (9-3, 6-2) couldn’t manage a first down in its final two possessions, even after Major Applewhite--who didn’t start because of a stomach virus--had entered the game. With the ball at the Texas 46 and 23 seconds left, Applewhite fumbled when he was sacked by Jay Brooks and the ball was recovered by Texas A&M;’s Brian Gamble.

Texas freshman quarterback Chris Simms led Texas to two first-half touchdowns but wilted in the second under a tough Aggie pass rush as momentum shifted and the crowd made it difficult to call plays.

Texas, winner of the Big 12 South Division, plays Nebraska next Saturday in the Big 12 title game in San Antonio.

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