The squads started out about 80 yards apart, using huge slingshots to launch balloons, which missed their mark with regularity.

Starting quarterback Stephen McGee had the best mortar shot as fellow quarterbacks Tommy Dorman and Jerrod Johnson helped, but after a few more futile shots from both sides, the players took matters into their own hands. The closer they got, the wetter they became.

"It's been a grind, obviously, two-a-days always is," Sherman said. "Anything like that, when they can be kids again, and have some fun, I think is important for the chemistry."

Senior defensive back Arkeith Brown was able to get cornerbacks coach Charles McMillian wet, while senior linebacker Johnathan Haynes missed Sherman -- maybe by design.

"They tried, it didn't work," Sherman said. "I'm too quick on my feet -- [actually, I'm] too quick in my head, more than my feet."

The players were soaked, but laughing as they headed to the locker room, which was a complete turnaround from Monday when Sherman ended practice early because of a lack of focus.

"Humor is one of the greatest components of having great chemistry when you can laugh at things together," Sherman said. "They had a lot of laughs out there having fun with each other."

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The skinny: A&M worked out for about 21/2 hours in full pads on the practice field in the morning, then had a closed walk-through in the afternoon.

The defense had a solid effort Wednesday morning after giving up several long runs Tuesday.

"I thought our defense stepped up and practiced a lot better today," Sherman said. "[They were] more physical. I thought they did a good job of wrapping up. I thought they had the upper hand on the offense today, which is normally how it goes in two-a-days. One day the offense does well, [and] you compliment them, then the defense comes out the next day and does better. And visa versa, back and forth."

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Right and left: Sherman doesn't flop his offensive line like several teams do, putting the same guard and tackle to the wide side, leaving the other guard and tackle on the side closest to a sideline. He goes with a left guard and tackle, and right guard and tackle.

"[My philosophy] is a right guard has certain footwork and techniques that a left guard doesn't necessarily have, " Sherman said. "You have to change your stance. I just think it's very difficult to go from a right-handed stance to a left-handed stance in the context of the game."

Sherman said it's also vital in pass protection, working with the tackles.

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Next up: The final fall scrimmage will be 6 p.m. Thursday at Kyle Field -- weather permitting -- and is open to current A&M students, former students (wearing an Aggie ring) and A&M faculty or staff with a current ID.

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lnjury update: Junior wide receiver E.J. Shankle missed contact drills with a strained Achilles. Others not hitting were junior offensive lineman Vincent Williams, senior fullback Jorvorskie Lane, senior cornerback Danny Gorrer and junior running back Keondra Smith.

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McGee looking good: McGee had another solid practice throwing, completing a few passes to fellow quarterbacks Johnson and redshirt freshman Ryan Tannehill, who continue to get more practice at receiver.

"Stephen is a great competitor," Sherman said. "He's very knowledgeable. He's coming out of more of a run-oriented offense and he's adapted very well to our offense. We're still going to run the ball. He's adapted well to the terminology, which is extensive, and the volume of the offense. He has a great grasp of our offense and I expect great things out of him."