The 2013 Texas A&M Aggies football team represented Texas A&M University in the 2013 NCAA Division I FBS football season. They played their home games at Kyle Field and their head coach was Kevin Sumlin.

Texas A&M played 8 games at Kyle Field during the 2013 season. The last time Texas A&M played 8 games at home was 1919 when the Aggies were awarded the National Championship after finishing the season undefeated and unscored upon.

The 2013 season featured the defending national champion Alabama Crimson Tide playing at Kyle Field in what was CBS' first game from that venue since 1989.

Before the season

Previous season In 2012, Texas A&M played their first season in the SEC. They started out unranked and lost their opener to No. 24 Florida. However, the Aggies bounced back and went on a five-game win streak, including victories over two SEC West teams – Arkansas and Ole Miss – and a win over No. 23 Louisiana Tech. They fell to No. 6 LSU in a close home game before winning their final five regular-season games, highlighted by an upset victory over the defending national champion, No. 1 Alabama in Tuscaloosa. The streak also included a victory over No. 17 Mississippi State. The 2012 season saw the rise of quarterback Johnny Manziel, who went on to win the 2012 Heisman Trophy as the first freshman ever to do so. The Aggies accepted an invitation to the 2013 Cotton Bowl Classic, in which they definitively handled old Big XII rival Oklahoma 41–13, and finished the season 11–2.

2013 NFL draft Five Texas A&M players were drafted in the 2013 NFL draft. + 2013 NFL Draft selectionsRoundPick no.TeamPlayerPosition 1 2 Jacksonville Jaguars Luke Joeckel Offensive tackle 2 62 Seattle Seahawks Christine Michael Running back 3 81 New York Giants Damontre Moore Defensive end 4 118 Cincinnati Bengals Sean Porter Linebacker 6 174 Arizona Cardinals Ryan Swope Wide receiver

After the draft, seven Aggies were signed as undrafted free agents. + Signed as undrafted free agentPlayerTeamPosition Patrick Lewis Green Bay Packers Center Spencer Nealy New York Jets Defensive tackle Uzoma Nwachukwu Houston Texans Wide receiver Dustin Harris Dallas Cowboys Defensive back Steven Terrell Jacksonville Jaguars Defensive back C.J. Jones Kansas City Chiefs Defensive back Jonathan Stewart St. Louis Rams Linebacker

Spring practice Spring practice began on March 1 and ended with the annual Maroon and White game on April 13, which was televised nationally on ESPN. It also included an open scrimmage on March 23 and the Friday Night Lights game on April 5. A few key players were out with injuries: junior WR Malcome Kennedy, senior LB Steven Jenkins, sophomore DE Julien Obioha, and senior DL Kirby Ennis.

Throughout the spring, A&M saw great play out of its receivers (especially Mike Evans), the offensive line, led by senior LT Jake Matthews, and quarterbacks group, led by the all-star talent of Johnny Manziel. The running backs group looked loaded with talent and depth (including senior Ben Malena and sophomores Trey Williams, Tra Carson, and Brandon Williams) and looked to be a position of strength for the Aggies as well. The defensive backfield also seemed to have a few playmakers in CB Deshazor Everett and S Floyd Raven Sr. The linebacking corps, however, showed a lack of depth, especially without Senior Steven Jenkins, and was projected as an area of concern for the Aggies in the coming season. Another area of potential issue for A&M was the defensive line, as there was little depth (compounded by injuries) and a thus much riding on incoming freshmen that couldn't practice in the spring.

In the Maroon and White game, the Maroon (offense) prevailed over the White (defense) 43–23. For the quarterbacks, Manziel went 23-of-30 for 303 yards and three touchdowns, Matt Joeckel went 8-of-21 for 88 yards, and Matt Davis went 7-of-12 for 112 yards. Ben Malena played little (only 3 carries for 12 yards), so the team was led by sophomores Brandon Williams (7 for 59 yards and 1 TD) and Trey Williams (7 for 67 yards and 1 TD). Mike Evans had a solid game receiving with 5 catches for 73 yards, as did Derel Walker (5 for 79 yards and 1 TD) and LaKendrick Williams (7 for 105 yards). As for the defense, sacks were made by Nate Askew, Tyrone Taylor, Jordan Points, and Tyrell Taylor (who had 2).

Fall practice Fall camp began on August 5 and concluded on August 25. It also included an open scrimmage on August 17 and Meet the Aggies Day on August 24. Several freshmen stood out during the camp, including receivers Ricky Seals-Jones and LaQuvionte Gonzalez; linebackers Darian Claiborne and Jordan Mastrogiovanni; defensive linemen Isaiah Golden, Daeshon Hall, and Hardreck Walker.

Predictions Five editors from Athlon Sports and Stewart Mandel of SI.com predicted Texas A&M to finish 10–2. The SEC media projected A&M to finish second in the SEC West, behind Alabama.

Personnel

Roster

Recruiting class In the 2013 recruiting class, Texas A&M signed 32 players (31 not counting TCU transfer A.J. Hilliard), 10 of which were included in the ESPN 300, with 5 of those in the ESPN 150. The class was ranked 8th in the nation by ESPN, 11th by Rivals, and 6th nationally by Scout.

Returning starters

+ OffensePlayerClassPosition Johnny Manziel Sophomore (RS) Quarterback Ben Malena Senior Running Back Mike Evans Sophomore (RS) Wide Receiver Jake Matthews Senior Left Tackle Jarvis Harrison Junior (RS) Left Guard Cedric Ogbuehi Junior (RS) Right Tackle

+ DefensePlayerClassPosition Julien Obioha Sophomore Defensive End Deshazor Everett Junior Defensive Back Howard Matthews Junior Safety Steven Jenkins Senior Linebacker

+ Special TeamsPlayerClassPosition Taylor Bertolet Sophomore (RS) Kicker (Kickoffs) Jake Matthews Senior Long Snapper Trey Williams Sophomore Kick return

Depth chart Source:

Schedule Texas A&M's 2013 schedule was released by the Southeastern Conference and Texas A&M on October 18, 2012.

Coaching staff Kevin SumlinHead coach 2ndMark SnyderDefensive coordinator and linebackers coach 2ndMarcel YatesCo-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach 2ndTerry PriceDefensive line coach 2ndMark HagenLinebackers coach 1stJake SpavitalCo-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach 1st Clarence McKinneyCo-offensive coordinator and running backs coach 2ndDavid BeatyWide receivers coach 2ndB.J. AndersonOffensive line coach 2ndJeff BanksSpecial teams coordinator and tight ends coach 1stLarry Jackson Director of football sports performance 2ndReference:2016 Alabama Crimson Tide Football Media Guide, p. 2

Rankings

Game summaries

Rice

Sources: Official Texas A&M Game Notes (PDF)

Statistics RICETAMU First downs 28 25 Total yards 509 486 Rushing yards 306 202 Passing yards 203 284 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 38:24 21:36 Team Category Player Statistics Rice Passing Taylor McHargue 18/29, 180 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Charles Ross 19 rushes, 107 yards, 2 TD Receiving Jordan Taylor 7 receptions, 68 yards, TD Texas A&M Passing Matt Joeckel 14/19, 190 yards, TD Rushing Ben Malena 12 rushes, 82 yards, TD Receiving Mike Evans 6 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TD

Eight total players were suspended for half or all of the game, including six defensive starters and Johnny Manziel. Freshman (RS) WR Edward Pope, Senior LB Steven Jenkins, Sophomore CB De'Vante Harris, and Junior DE Gavin Stansbury were suspended for two games. Senior DT Kirby Ennis and Junior S Floyd Raven Sr. were suspended for one game. Junior CB Deshazor Everett and Sophomore (RS) QB Johnny Manziel were suspended for a half. Redshirt Junior QB Matt Joeckel started and played the entire first half until Manziel's return.

The Aggies received to start the game and punted after only 1 first down. Drew Kaser started his stellar season off with a 55-yard punt downed inside the 5 yard line. The Owls then started with a strong drive opened by a 26-yard pass from McHargue to Cella. Just a few plays later McHargue would keep the ball on an option play and bust a 57-yard run down field, only just caught from behind by Junior LB Tommy Sanders. Two plays later, Senior RB Charles Ross punched the ball into the endzone to put the Owls up 7–0. On A&M's following series, the ball was in the air only twice out of 10 plays, finished off by a rush from Senior RB Ben Malena for 4 yards for the TD to tie the game. Rice's ensuing drive moved steadily down the field, capped off by an 18-yard scramble by McHargue and a 19-yard wheel route pass to Ross for the TD. Rice was up 14–7. The teams traded punts on their following drives, and with a few minutes left, A&M went on a steady drive down to the Rice 41 to end the quarter.

A&M continued its drive in the 2nd Quarter, highlighted by a 26-yard pass from Joeckel to Sophomore (RS) sensation Mike Evans. Sophomore (RS) RB Tra Carson would run the ball in a few plays later to tie the game. Despite a 22-yard run from Ross on Rice's following drive, the Owls were forced to punt, due to a tackle for a loss by true freshman and future star LB Darian Claiborne on 3rd down. Only a few plays into the Aggies’ next outing, Joeckel hit Freshman receiver Ricky Seals-Jones for a 71-yard TD and the lead. Afterwards, A&M forced Rice to punt once again and then added to their lead with another TD by Carson on a steady drive. With 3:42 left in the half, Rice went on a strong drive including 2 great passes by McHargue to Junior WR Jordan Taylor, one for 27 yards and the other for a 5-yard TD after the ball was deflected by Senior CB Toney Hurd Jr. The score was 28–21 Texas A&M at halftime, after which star Aggie QB Johnny Manziel would return.

Rice received the 2nd half kickoff and had 2 incompletions before McHargue was intercepted by Junior CB Tramain Jacobs, starting Manziel's return to college football. The Sophomore's first play of 2013 was a 12-yard scramble; however, he was sacked just 2 plays later, forcing A&M to take the 44-yard Field Goal. Rice's ensuing drive did not turn out any better than its predecessor, as Junior (RS) S Clay Honeycutt grabbed A&M's second interception of the game. This time, Manziel was able to take the team to the endzone on a 23-yard toss to Evans for the TD. The teams traded punts before Rice went on a nearly 6 minute drive to end the half at A&M's 1-yard line. On the first play of the 4th Quarter, Ross carried the Owls into the endzone to make the score 28–38. However, A&M's offense had hit its rhythm and Manziel notched a 34-yard pass to Junior (RS) receiver Malcome Kennedy before hitting Malena out of the backfield for 18 yards and the TD. Down by 17, Rice was feeling the pressure on their next drive. After gaining a few yards, the Owls went for it on 4th down, where true Freshman DT Jay Arnold pushed through the line and forced Ross right into Junior DE Tyrell Taylor, where he was tackled for a loss. With a short field, A&M scored quickly via another TD pass to Evans for 9 yards. With little hope of winning the game, Rice put in Sophomore QB Driphus Jackson, who led the team on a long drive capped off by a 43-yard FG. A&M simply ran out the clock with 2:03 left in the game.

Texas A&M won its season opener, and the star Manziel looked as good as ever, going 6-of-8 for 94 yards and three touchdowns; however, Rice ran for 306 yards, averaging 6 yards-per-carry, which hinted at the defensive issues (particularly in the running game) that would haunt A&M for the rest of the season.

No. 4 (FCS) Sam Houston State

Sources:

Statistics SHSUTAMU First downs 14 38 Total yards 390 714 Rushing yards 240 214 Passing yards 150 500 Turnovers 2 1 Time of possession 29:19 30:41 Team Category Player Statistics Sam Houston State Passing Brian Bell 6/15, 137 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT Rushing Timothy Flanders 19 rushes, 170 yards, 2 TD Receiving Torrance Williams 3 receptions, 86 yards, TD Texas A&M Passing Johnny Manziel 29/42, 426 yards, 3 TD, INT Rushing Ben Malena 9 rushes, 68 yards, TD Receiving Mike Evans 7 receptions, 155 yards