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Manziel again masterful as Aggies rout Missouri

Nov 25, 2012 - 6:44 AM College Station, TX (Sports Network) - A record-setting night for "Johnny Football," another win for Texas A&M.

Heisman Trophy candidate Johnny Manziel threw for three scores and ran for a pair of touchdowns, as the ninth-ranked Aggies blew out Missouri, 59-29, in the final regular season game for both teams.

Manziel, who came into Saturday having already broken the school record for total offense in a season, eclipsed the SEC mark for total offense. He entered with 4,161 yards and needed only 167 to break 2010 Heisman Trophy winner Cam Newton's mark for most offense. Manziel completed 32-of-44 passes for 372 yards and an interception, and ran 12 times for 67 yards.

Texas A&M (10-2, 6-2 SEC) wrapped up its first regular season in the SEC with five consecutive victories. Included in that streak was a stunning win at then-No. 1 Alabama on Nov. 10. This is the Aggies' first 10-win season since 1998.

"Coming into the year, we really didn't care what everyone else's expectations were. We had a lot of work to do and we still have work to do," Texas A&M coach Kevin Sumlin said. "The biggest concern from everybody except for the people in this room was whether we could compete in the SEC. In Birmingham, the three main questions were 'You guys don't have a quarterback, your offense is a question mark and you're thin in the defensive front - How are you going to compete in the SEC?' I think that these guys kind of took that to heart and they set a tone for this program that 'You know what, not only can we compete but we can win.' We have a process that's in place now that our current players understand."

The Aggies received a scare with under four minutes left in the first quarter, when Manziel appeared to injure his left knee while running for seven yards. He was tackled by defensive back E.J. Gaines, who grabbed onto Manziel's leg and twisted the knee.

On the next play, Christine Michael broke free for a 38-yard touchdown run for a 21-0 Aggies lead.

Manziel went immediately to the sideline and later departed to the locker room and was fitted with a knee brace. Jameill Showers was under center for part of the ensuing offensive series, and Manziel returned to the field as time in the first quarter expired.

Corbin Berkstresser finished 20-of-38 for a career-high 276 yards with a pair of touchdowns and an interception for Missouri (5-7, 2-6), which failed to become eligible for a bowl after losing three of its final four contests.

"It was perfect storm in the wrong way," Missouri coach Gary Pinkel said. "We couldn't get off the field on defense, and offensively we had our struggles as we've had all year. That combination is not very good."

Manziel's 4-yard TD pass to Ryan Swope extended the margin to 28-0. The Aggies then forced a turnover, and Manziel escaped pressure before throwing a 5-yard TD strike to Mike Evans to move the lead to 35-0 with 7:23 remaining in the opening half.

Nearly four minutes later, Manziel used his swift feet again to avoid a sack and threw an 8-yard TD pass to Uzoma Nwachukwu in the left corner of the end zone for a 42-0 cushion.

Kendial Lawrence scored on a 4-yard run in the final minute of the half for the Tigers.

Manziel scored on an 18-yard run in the third quarter and L'Damian Washington caught a 74-yard TD pass for Mizzou.

Berkstresser rushed one yard for a score in the fourth quarter and also threw a 25-yard scoring strike to Dorial Green-Beckham.

Manziel added a 1-yard TD run with 12:07 left, and received a standing ovation after being removed from the game with under nine minutes to go.

Game Notes

Texas A&M leads the all-time series 8-5, ending a three-game winning streak by the Tigers ... The Aggies had 647 yards of offense and were 12-of-16 on third downs ... Malcome Kennedy had seven receptions for 110 yards for Texas A&M.