With McNeal hurting, McGee displays grit in starting debut

01:14 AM CST on Saturday, November 26, 2005

By RACHEL COHEN / The Dallas Morning News

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Dennis Franchione told quarterback Stephen McGee on Tuesday that the keys had been handed over. The Reggie McNeal era ended and McGee's began a game early Friday, with a high ankle sprain sidelining Texas A&M's all-time leading passer in his final contest.

Making his first start in the 40-29 loss to No. 2 Texas, McGee continued to display the fire and fearlessness he showed in relieving the injured McNeal at Oklahoma on Nov. 12. The redshirt freshman ran over and through defenders for 108 yards and two touchdowns, becoming the first A&M quarterback to rush for 100 yards against the Longhorns since 1990.

The last person to do that? He served as the Aggies' honorary captain Friday and enjoyed watching McGee's emotional style.

"He's got that presence about him that it takes to really lead," said Bucky Richardson, who rushed for 109 yards against UT in a 28-27 loss.

McNeal stood on the sideline in jeans and his jersey. Walking off the field after the game, he said he knew last week that he probably would not play. McNeal could run in a straight line but struggled to move from side to side, Franchione said.

McGee considers passing his strength, but so far, it's been his running. After going 0-for-6 at OU, he was 9-for-23 for 83 yards Friday with no touchdowns and an interception. McGee said he wasn't setting his feet early.

"I know that I can throw the football," he said.

He made some rookie mistakes, including a fourth-quarter fumble with A&M facing third-and-2 from the UT 10-yard line and trailing by eight.

"I thought Stephen played an outstanding game," Franchione said. "That's not the easiest opening start of your college career to have."

None of the Aggies had any intention of saying A&M was better off with McGee than McNeal.

"You can never quantify experience completely," Franchione said, "and Reggie's speed and elusiveness."

On one third-quarter play, McGee's head snapped back on a hard hit. He jumped up quickly and let the defender know about it.

"That's part of my game. ... It's nothing dirty," McGee said.

Usually, he says, "Hey, good job, man." If the defender doesn't respond in kind, "I let them know they maybe need to hit me a little bit harder."

MICHAEL MULVEY/DMN

Texas' Neale Tweedie wraps up A&M quarterback Stephen McGee for a loss.

A play later, McGee ran 11 yards for a touchdown. Senior wide receiver Jason Carter called McGee one of the toughest players he has ever known. He added that he considers McNeal just as tough.

"If you can get 10 other guys beside Steve on the field that play as hard as he plays," Carter said, "you'll never have a question about winning ballgames."

E-mail rcohen@dallasnews.com