Texas A&M tops New Mexico 28-22

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - There were no butterflies in the

stomach for Jerrod Johnson, mostly because there wasn't enough time

for them.

The sophomore backup replaced an injured Stephen McGee and threw

three touchdown passes as Texas A&M gave coach Mike Sherman his

first win Saturday, with the Aggies going 28-22 over New Mexico.

So was Johnson nervous?

"No," he replied. "The whole camp, the coaches have done a

great job of preparing me. When the opportunity arose, I just

stepped in there and tried to lead my team to victory."

Texas A&M (1-1), making its first trip to Albuquerque, survived

New Mexico's swarming defensive scheme and bounced back from an

embarrassing season-opening 18-14 loss to Arkansas State.

"This team (New Mexico) certainly was able to beat us today,"

said Sherman, the Aggies' first-year coach. "I feel fortunate to

be able to get a win. I don't take them lightly. Being the first

one, I'm sure I'll remember it a little more."

Johnson completed 10-of-19 for 124 yards in place of McGee, who

sprained his right shoulder on the opening series and didn't

return. McGee, a senior, has started the last 29 games but Sherman

said Johnson filled the gap.

"He made some big plays," Sherman said. "He was a little

rusty on a couple of things, in regard to formations and things

like that. But he did make some plays for us, some critical plays.

I thought he did a nice job."

Texas A&M running back Mike Goodson left with a sprained right

knee, through he briefly returned in the second half.

Sherman said both will be re-evaluated after the Aggies return

home.

Rodney Ferguson had 135 yards rushing and two TDs for New Mexico

(0-2). He broke free on a 45-yard burst in the first quarter and

added a late 1-yard TD run as the Lobos rallied for two scores in

the final six minutes.

"We played better this week but not good enough," Ferguson

said. "We executed late, which was a good sign, and hopefully we

can build on that for next week."

It wasn't enough to offset Johnson, who performed well under a

full day of defensive pressure.

"It was really tough. ... They did a great job of disguising

what they do," Johnson said. "They have guys running around

everywhere. It's a great scheme."

Texas A&M made it 21-7 just before halftime, when Johnson threw

a 6-yard TD pass to Jeff Fuller to cap a 14-play, 93-yard drive.

Fuller muscled the ball away from New Mexico cornerback DeAndre

Wright.

"That drive gave us that breathing room going into the half,"

Sherman said.

The Lobos just couldn't overcome too many offensive mistakes.

They trailed 14-0 after Donovan Porterie's two early interceptions.

He also had a fourth-quarter fumble that led to another Texas A&M

touchdown.

"It's always frustrating when you don't play well," New Mexico

coach Rocky Long said.

Texas A&M's Jordan Peterson returned Porterie's first pick for a

48-yard TD. On the next series, Arkeith Brown took another

interception 11 yards to New Mexico's 20 to set up Johnson's

21-yard TD strike to Jeff Fuller.

Still, the Lobos trailed 21-10 in the third quarter and seemed

to be gaining traction when trouble struck again.

New Mexico's Ian Clark had a 32-yard punt return into Texas A&M

territory but the Lobos couldn't capitalize when Paul Baker fumbled

a few plays later. After forcing another Texas A&M punt, Clark

broke a 34-yard return.

That's when Porterie mishandled a snap, and Texas A&M's Michael

Bennett picked it up and rumbled 37 yards. The lineman missed out

on a touchdown because he stepped out at New Mexico's 22.

"I should have scored on that play but, you know, I just ran

out of gas. I thought I was closer to the inside than to the end

line," Bennett said.

Sherman got excited and was running nearby until he took a

spill.

"He made a great play on that fumble return, and I did get

wiped out on that play," Sherman said. "I was running with him

and somebody cut my legs out. I'm sure that will be on the

highlights somewhere."

From there, Johnson connected with Jamie McCoy on a 9-yard TD

pass to put the Aggies ahead 28-10 with 13:20 remaining.

Porterie was 22-of-35 for 154 yards with two interceptions.

The Lobos, who have lost 11 straight games when the opponent

scores first, dropped last weekend's opener to TCU. New Mexico is

winless after two games for the first time since an 0-3 start

during the 2000 season.

"Both games (TCU and Texas A&M) we beat ourselves," Long said.

"You've got to give them credit, though. They got the ball right

before halftime, took it 93 yards and stuck it in the end zone."

By TIM KORTE-AP Sports Writer

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)