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Kansas remains undefeated with convincing win at Texas A&M

Oct 28, 2007 - 4:10 AM COLLEGE STATION, Texas (Ticker) -- Brandon McAnderson and Kansas made another statement in the Big 12 Conference by continuing their best start in nearly a century.

McAnderson rushed for 183 yards and two second-half touchdowns Saturday as the 12th-ranked Jayhawks overcame a sluggish first half to grind out a 19-11 Big 12 triumph over Texas A&M.

Ranked ninth in the Bowl Championship Series standings entering this contest, the undefeated Jayhawks (8-0, 4-0 Big 12 North) are off to their best start since 1909.

"The 8-0 experience is awesome," Kansas quarterback Todd Reesing said. "We still have a long way to go and we haven't reached our goal. We are playing as a team and a program. We never give up and we never stop fighting."

One of just five unbeaten teams entering this week, Kansas remained perfect thanks to a hard-fought triumph over the Aggies (6-3, 3-2 South), who had won the previous seven meetings between the conference rivals.

Reesing completed 21-of-33 passes for 180 yards and Jake Sharp chipped in 66 yards on 14 carries for the Jayhawks, who held on to capture their first win ever in College Station.

Kansas also buckled down defensively, holding the Aggies' high-powered rushing attack to just 74 yards. Texas A&M entered averaging over 260 rushing yards per game - the best mark in the conference.

"Our defense came out and tried to force them to do things that they normally don't do," Kansas coach Mark Mangino said. "I'm confident in our defense. We played the run extremely well. We were using a lot of kids.

"They (Texas A&M) make a living out of running the ball. That's why we tried to make them to throw the ball."

Following a scoreless first half, the Jayhawks scored the game's first points on Scott Webb's 31-yard field goal just over five minutes into the third quarter.

The 235-pound McAnderson scored his first TD of the game - a 6-yarder - to make it 10-0 with 5:04 remaining in the third quarter, and Webb drilled a 32-yard field goal late in the quarter to push the lead to 13-0.

"Our offensive line did what they had to do and we found some holes," McAnderson said. "We were a little frustrated in the first half that we couldn't score. We have a mature and talented team that stuck together and pulled out a victory."

McAnderson seemingly put away the contest with a 3-yard scoring run 3 1/2 minutes into the final quarter. But the ensuing two-point attempt failed, keeping Kansas' lead at 19-0 and leaving the door open for Texas A&M.

The Aggies nearly capitalized, rolling off two long drives ending in a 21-yard field goal by Matt Szymanski and a 32-yard scoring strike from Stephen McGee to Roger Holland.

After completing the long TD pass, McGee rushed up the middle on a keeper to convert the two-point attempt and cut the Aggies' deficit to 19-11 with 2:06 remaining.

But after forcing Kansas to punt, Texas A&M came up just short, as McGee's two desperation heaves from midfield fell incomplete.

"You have to give credit to their defense," Aggies coach Dennis Franchione said. "They defended us really well. They got off blocks and made plays and we didn't. You have to give Kansas their do. That's as well as we have been defended all year."

McGee finished 24-of-45 for 244 yards for the Aggies, who lost to the Jayhawks for the first time since October 5, 1974. McGee's favorite target was Martel Bennett, who had eight catches for 91 yards.