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Tuesday, November 24, 1998
Brown knows how big the Longhorns-Aggies rivalry
is
By JIM VERTUNO Associated Press Writer
AUSTIN (AP) - Mack Brown was born in Tennessee and graduated
from Florida State. But the first-year Texas coach says he knows
all about the rivalry behind Friday's matchup with No. 6 Texas
A&M.
"This isn't my first rodeo," Brown said Monday. "I've
been in big games before. In the spring, I asked people if they
wanted to beat Texas A&M or Oklahoma more. They said 'Yes.'
"I'm planning on being here a long time so I've got to
get used to this game and the Oklahoma game. I want the A&M
experience."
Texas (7-3, 5-2 Big 12), which dropped out of the Top 25 this
week after an open date, already beat Oklahoma 34-3.
What's different about Friday's game for Brown is the early
start.
Kickoff for the nationally televised game on ABC is scheduled
for 10 a.m. Although it's the same time as the last two years,
it's a new twist for Brown. His only other game that started before
noon was as an assistant at Oklahoma.
"You go to bed Thursday night you'd better be ready to
play because you're going to get up and it's going to be game
time," Brown said.
And it could have the Longhorns enduring early wake-up calls
the rest of the week. Brown is considering having his players
get up at 5:30 a.m. the next several days to get accustomed to
the early hours. On Friday, the team will have to rise early enough
to be at the stadium by 8 a.m.
"If they get up at 5:30, I'll get up at 5:30," Brown
said. "They'll probably call me at home to make sure I'm
up. They don't need to be getting up at 7 all week and then on
game day get up at 5:30."
Texas quarterback Major Applewhite said he'll get up any time
Brown wants, although Applewhite says he can't remember the last
time he saw 5:30 a.m.
"Coach Brown knows what's best for the team," Applewhite
said.
Intensifying this year's edition of the rivalry is Ricky Williams'
quest for the Division I-A career rushing record. Williams needs
63 yards to break Tony Dorsett's record of 6,082.
Getting the record and winning go hand in hand, Applewhite
said.
"We're not going to win if Ricky doesn't get yards,"
Applewhite said.
Dorsett is supposed to be at the game and few doubt the record
will be broken, including Williams. The senior tailback has gained
at least 145 yards in each the last three games in the series.
"Should I? I don't want to doubt myself or my offensive
line. I think it's great that he's going to be there to watch
me break the record,' Williams said. "He was a great running
back when he played."
The Longhorns also will be going for their second win this
season over a top 10 opponent. Texas lost to No. 3 UCLA 49-31
and No. 2 Kansas State 48-7 before beating then-No. 7 Nebraska
20-16.
"If this team had a little easier schedule it probably
could have been in the mix of some things near the top,"
Brown said.
Texas' chances of making the Big 12 championship game were
lost two weeks ago in a 42-35 defeat at Texas Tech. That loss
instead sent Texas A&M (10-1, 7-0) to the league's title game
Dec. 5 against Kansas State.
A victory over the Longhorns would keep alive A&M's slim
hopes of playing for the national title. The Aggies have won 10
in a row after a season-opening loss to Florida State.
"There's more pressure on A&M than us," Brown
said.
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