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Monday, July 28, 1997

Stewart more ready this season to live up to his billing

By MICHAEL A. LUTZ

Associated Press

HOUSTON - Branndon Stewart tried to put on Superman's cape and found that it didn't fit.

Wild expectations pushed the young Texas A&M quarterback to try to match the sensational tab placed on him in his first season with the Aggies a year ago.

It didn't work.

The Aggies and Stewart stumbled through a 6-6 season that could have been better with a few key plays here and there but it still added up to .500 for those demanding Aggies fans.

After a stunning loss to Brigham Young in the season opener, Stewart battled his own inexperience and his surrounding cast of freshmen and sophomores.

To his credit, Stewart never blinked from the resulting criticism. He stood up each week, good or bad, and accepted praise and blame, most weeks more of the latter.

His resilience was refreshing.

"I've always tried to be honest, not put up a facade with anyone," Stewart said. "You start trying to make excuses for your mistakes and pretty soon, you get yourself in more trouble."

After stepping back this spring and listening to new quarterback coach Ray Dorr, Stewart expects better results.

"I don't think I tried to make all the big plays," Stewart said. "I think it's just a matter of getting the ball in everybody else's hands so they can make plays. I've tried to adjust and use the people around me.

"I think I'll be able to do a better job of that this season. I wish I could have done that more last season."

Stewart learned about adversity when he signed a scholarship agreement with the University of Tennessee in 1994 out of Stephenville High School. He lost a duel with Peyton Manning for the starting quarterback's job and decided to come home.

"I'd already dealt with adversity before I got here, going through everything at Tennessee," Stewart said. "I guess it's maturity. I felt I handled those situations well and now I'm ready to move on."

After sitting out the 1995 season, he was eager to make up for lost time. Despite hitting 20 of 28 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns in the season opener at Brigham Young, he fumbled late in the game, foiling an Aggie comeback attempt.

"Branndon has had the benefit of a full season and another spring practice and the benefit of intense coaching," coach R.C. Slocum said. "Now, when he goes into the huddle, he'll have some guys like Sirr Parker, Eric Bernard and Marc Broyles with a full year of playing under their belts.

"I think the whole thing will be improved across the board."

Dorr, who coached the likes of Warren Moon at Washington, expects Stewart to overcome his mistakes.

"I've seen Warren Moon throw the ball out of bounds and cost us a game at Washington on fourth down and he's probably going to be in the Hall of Fame someday," Dorr said. "I've tried to show Branndon that I'm going to be consistent.

"I'll be the same, analyzing strengths and weaknesses whether he throws an interception or a touchdown pass. I'm just trying to get him to be consistent. Sometimes when you try to make the biggest play, you make the biggest mistakes."

That doesn't mean Dorr won't be demanding. If the 15 days of spring drills had been game days, Dorr said Stewart played well enough for the Aggies to have won.

But there was that one game.

"I told him this is terrible but I can give you 14 days of winning football but that one day sticks in my craw," Dorr said. "I asked him if those had been games, which one would be the most remembered?"

You can bet, Stewart didn't have to think long to give his answer. Send a Letter to the Editor about This Story | Start or Join A Discussion about This Story
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