Nov. 14, 1998
By MICHAEL A. LUTZ
AP Sports Writer
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) - The sixth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies made almost as many mistakes as No. 13 Missouri on Saturday, but the Tigers suffered more for their miscues.
Russell Bynum's 39-yard field goal with 1:30 to play, his third of the game, capped a game of big mistakes and rallied A&M to a 17-14 victory.
To make things even sweeter for the Aggies (10-1, 7-0 Big 12), they clinched the Big 12 South title Saturday night when Texas fell to Texas Tech 42-35. A&M has won 10 straight games and has beaten Missouri (7-3, 5-2) five times in a row.
"This was one of those games where the team that made the critical mistakes is the team that loses," Missouri coach Larry Smith said. "Our guys are feeling anger, severe anger."
Both sides made enough mistakes to lose the game, but the Tigers made the last one, and it led to the go-ahead points for A&M.
With the score 14-14, Missouri's Randy Potter fumbled a punt and Toya Jones recovered at the Missouri 30, setting up Bynum's kick.
"I knew today would be a chore for us," said A&M coach R.C. Slocum. "It's hard for a team to go without a break for 10 straight Saturdays. It just showed the character of this football team."
The Aggies now get their first open date to prepare for their Nov. 27 game against Texas. Missouri will face No. 1 Kansas State in its finale.
In addition to the fumble that set up the winning field goal, Potter also allowed an A&M punt to roll to the Missouri 2, helping the Aggies get good field position for a go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter.
"I just messed up twice today," Potter said. "I thought I could get the first (punt) on the bounce, and I messed up. On the other one, I just dropped the ball."
Earlier in the fourth quarter, A&M safety Brandon Jennings inadvertently helped the Tigers tie the game. He intercepted a pass by Corby Jones but then fumbled, and Missouri's Jeff Hellerstedt recovered at the A&M 27. The Tigers got a 33-yard gain out of the interception-and-fumble play.
Facing fourth down at the Aggies 9, Jones hit Dwayne Blakley as he crossed the goal line. The extra point by Brian Long tied it 14-14 with 7:02 left in the game.
Jennings also had an interception in the third quarter nullified by a defensive holding penalty, but the Aggies didn't allow any points from the drive because Missouri's Brian Long missed a 26-yard field goal.
The Aggies took a 14-7 lead with 13:52 left in the game on a 1-yard run by quarterback Randy McCown.
"Our defense didn't play as well as we would like, but our offense did a tremendous job," McCown said. "They pounded Missouri. You could tell at the end they were tired."
The Tigers had one more chance after Bynum's last field goal, came up empty. The game ended as Brad Hammerich's 56-yard field goal attempt fell short.
"That last drive, we showed we can do it," Jones said. "We just can't cap it off. I'm never surprised about our offensive line. They can blow anybody off the ball. We have a big one next week against Kansas State. We have to bounce back and get it done against them."