Spring practice No. 11: In the morning session Thursday, Texas A&M worked out inside the McFerrin Center for 70 minutes in helmets and shorts. In the afternoon session, the Aggies worked out in pads for 90 minutes outside.
It might have been the best two-practice combination of the spring.
"I thought we did some good things this morning and this afternoon as well," A&M head coach Mike Sherman said.
The Aggies will practice at 6 a.m. Friday.
The Maroon & White Game is set for 2 p.m. Saturday at Kyle Field.
*
Offensive day: The offense won the intrasquad competition for only the third time this spring, posting a 106-96 victory in Sherman's scoring system.
"Our defense has made some big plays all spring against the offense, and today, the offense was able to make some big plays against the defense," Sherman said.
*
Big drive: Junior quarterback Jerrod Johnson helped the offense to a 94-72 lead with an impressive 70-yard touchdown drive to begin the day's last scrimmage.
"He had a key third-and-9 conversion," Sherman said. "He stood in the pocket and avoided the rush, stepped up and made a big-time throw. He needs to do that for us. He needs to be a big-time player for us. We need everything we can get out of him. He did a nice job."
Under a blitz, Johnson threw a pretty pass in the right flat to convert the drive's first third down. Sophomore cornerback Justin McQueen was just late cutting in front of junior Terrence McCoy, who had the concentration to make the catch. McCoy had three catches on the drive that ended with a 5-yard fourth-down run by Johnson, who faked to the running back and diverted the blitz away to leading to an easy score.
*
McQueen's steady play: McQueen (6-foot, 183 pounds) wasn't able to prevent McCoy's third-down catch, but he's had a good spring.
"He's done a great job," Sherman said. "He has a great break on the ball. He's one of our faster players, and he just does his job and he does it well."
McQueen played in 11 games last year with one start. He made 10 tackles.
"He played well last year," Sherman said. "He's very consistent. He studies the game and enjoys playing. I can't say enough about his contribution to our football team. I'm glad he's on our football team."
*
Running forward: Sophomore Cyrus Gray had several long runs, including one for a touchdown. Sophomore Bradley Stephens added several solid sweeps as well as runs inside the tackles. Redshirt freshman Jay Tolliver had several solid runs with the second unit, including a 64-yarder.
"We did a lot more short yardage and two-back offense than we have been doing," Sherman said. "You put that fullback in there, it's a pretty physical practice. I thought our backs ran really well throughout the day, in both the morning and in the afternoon.
*
Mixed results: Sherman praised the first-team offense for handling the blitz better Thursday.
But the unit had problems with the snap, including back-to-back bad efforts that resulted in losses.
"We're struggling running guys through at that center position," said Sherman, who also defended the centers because they haven't had a lot of time at the position.
Returning starting senior center Kevin Matthews is one of eight offensive lineman not taking part in contract drills. The lack of continuity in the line has strapped the offense in many practices, but not Thursday, especially with the first unit.
"I thought blitz protection was much improved from [Tuesday] to today," Sherman said.
*
More work for Tannehill: Sophomore Ryan Tannehill, who is competing for the starting quarterback job, was able to take some snaps and hand off to the running backs when A&M was working a half-line drill. He is recovering from a torn labrum.
"It was good that he got the snaps and handed the ball off and did those mechanical things," Sherman said. "But I'm anxious for him to get back and throw the football."
*
Honored guests: Several of the state's top retired football coaches were at practice Thursday afternoon after some of them played golf.
"Each and every one of us, players and coaches alike, owe a tremendous debt to our high school coaches," Sherman said.
Some of the coaches will stay over for Friday's practice.
"There's a lot of great coaches up here who have won a bunch of games," Sherman said. "Hopefully, some of that will rub off on me."
Retired coaches included Eddie Joseph, former executive director of the Texas High School Coaches Association; Weldon Wellig, The Woodlands; Melvin Robertson, former Texas A&M defensive coordinator; Marty Criswell, Bryan High; Jim Kazmierski, A&M Consolidated and Bryan; Sam Smith, Bryan; and Allen Boren, Klein.
*
Early birds: Redshirt freshman linebacker Kyle Mangan had a pair of interceptions during 7-on-7 morning drills.
Sophomore wide receiver Jeff Fuller had one of the best catches of the spring by leaping over sophomore Terrence Frederick to make the grab with his hands extended. Fuller later added another long touchdown catch.
Mangan added a fumble recovery in the afternoon as did sophomore defensive back Trent Hunter.
*
Just go: The players were rewarded for a solid workout by not having to run for the first time after a morning practice. The players made a bee-line for the locker room sprinting out of the McFerrin Center, some of them saying "just go" moments after the coaches gave them the good news.
*
Et cetera: Sophomore tight end K.J. Williams (6-3, 233), who had been held out of contact drills because of an injury, returned to help the power game.
Sophomore tight end Frank Avery (6-4, 207) turned a short square-out pass from redshirt freshman Tommy Dorman into a touchdown that earned Sherman's praise.
Redshirt offensive lineman Brian Thomas returned to scrimmage after being held out Tuesday.
A&M's receivers had a solid day after several drops Tuesday.