Texas A&M; Hands Missouri Its First Loss

Texas A&M; Coach Dennis Franchione knew it was risky to tell his players they were going to beat No. 19 Missouri.

He did it anyway, and the Aggies did just what they were told.

Jorvorskie Lane ran for 127 yards and a touchdown and Texas A&M; handed Missouri its first loss of the season by beating the Tigers, 25-19, on Saturday in a Big 12 Conference game.

Missouri, 6-1 overall and 2-1 in the conference, entered the day as one of nine remaining unbeaten teams in Division I-A and was trying to go 7-0 for the first time in 46 years.

Stephen McGee completed 19 of 23 passes for 183 yards and a touchdown for the Aggies (6-1, 2-1). Texas A&M; beat a ranked opponent at home for the first time in six tries under Franchione, who told his team before the game that he believed they would come out on top.

“I wanted them to know I was confident in them,” Franchione said. “You know, you can’t do that week in and week out. You’ve got to pick your times to convey that message when it matters the most.

“I just think they needed to hear that.”

Texas A&M; ended a three-game losing streak to Big 12 opponents at Kyle Field. It was also a validating victory for Franchione, who was 16-19 in his first three seasons in College Station.

“This is certainly a good win for where we’re going and what we’re trying to accomplish,” he said.

Chase Daniel completed 21 of 29 for 295 yards, including a 38-yard touchdown pass to Will Franklin in the second quarter, for the Tigers.

Missouri was giving up only 73 yards rushing a game, but Texas A&M; ran for 180 and dominated the time of possession, 41:30 to 18:30.