panther power
04-18-2005, 05:43 PM
COLLEGE STATION, Texas- The Texas A&M football team’s 2005 season opener at Clemson on Sept. 3 has been selected for a national television broadcast by ABC Sports and will kick off at 7 p.m. (central) at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, S.C., the network notified the school Friday.
It will mark the second straight season for the Aggies to open the season on national television. In 2004, A&M opened the season against Utah in Salt Lake City in a game televised by ESPN.
“This is going to be a great chance to showcase our program to the nation,” A&M coach Dennis Franchione said. “Playing at Clemson will be a challenge for our team, but one that we are looking forward to. We just completed what I think was a successful spring and I’m looking forward to the first day of fall camp.”
Last season, 10 of the Aggies’ 12 games were televised. The Aggies had seven games televised nationally via ABC, ESPN, TBS, FOX, and Fox Sports Net., in addition to two regionally televised games by ABC and a contest that was offered via pay-per-view.
“Our football program experienced a tremendous amount of success that resulted in an invitation to the SBC Cotton Bowl last season,” A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne said, “and having the opportunity to play in a marquee game on national television to start this season is a great opportunity for us. We’re excited that ABC has selected the game for a national broadcast.”
The Aggies posted a 7-5 record last season and participated in the SBC Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day in Dallas. A&M returns perhaps the nation’s top dual-threat quarterback Reggie McNeal who was the only player in Div. I-A to average more than 230 yards passing and 50 yards rushing per game last season.
It will mark the second straight season for the Aggies to open the season on national television. In 2004, A&M opened the season against Utah in Salt Lake City in a game televised by ESPN.
“This is going to be a great chance to showcase our program to the nation,” A&M coach Dennis Franchione said. “Playing at Clemson will be a challenge for our team, but one that we are looking forward to. We just completed what I think was a successful spring and I’m looking forward to the first day of fall camp.”
Last season, 10 of the Aggies’ 12 games were televised. The Aggies had seven games televised nationally via ABC, ESPN, TBS, FOX, and Fox Sports Net., in addition to two regionally televised games by ABC and a contest that was offered via pay-per-view.
“Our football program experienced a tremendous amount of success that resulted in an invitation to the SBC Cotton Bowl last season,” A&M Athletic Director Bill Byrne said, “and having the opportunity to play in a marquee game on national television to start this season is a great opportunity for us. We’re excited that ABC has selected the game for a national broadcast.”
The Aggies posted a 7-5 record last season and participated in the SBC Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day in Dallas. A&M returns perhaps the nation’s top dual-threat quarterback Reggie McNeal who was the only player in Div. I-A to average more than 230 yards passing and 50 yards rushing per game last season.