COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS — All problems for Johnny Manziel were supposed to evaporate as soon as the Heisman Trophy winner stepped on the field in the third quarter Saturday afternoon on a blistering hot day at Kyle Field.
At least that was the plan. But by game’s end, a 52-31 Aggie victory, A&M head coach Kevin Sumlin still was irritated with his star quarterback after Manziel was penalized for unsportsmanlike conduct in the fourth quarter. Sumlin had no idea that a video of Manziel taunting a Rice defender in the third quarter had gone viral on social media.
Meanwhile, Sumlin suspended four more players because of undisclosed, off-the-field issues, with the school making the announcement minutes before kickoff. Then in the fourth quarter, two Aggies, including cornerback Deshazor Everett, who had served a first-half suspension, were ejected from the game and will miss the first half of next Saturday’s contest.
Forgive Sumlin if he got a bit testy, especially over the Manziel situation, which has cast a negative light on the A&M program all offseason. In early August, Manziel was accused of taking thousands of dollars from sports memorabilia brokers in exchange for his autograph. Last week, the NCAA determined Manziel had not accepted money, though the quarterback was suspended for Saturday’s first half for a secondary violation.
“I felt he was pressing a little bit early,” Sumlin said of Manziel. “The first play he missed a read, but he had some good touchdown drives, good scrambles, but a foolish penalty at the end. No matter what the comments are, he’ll be playing every week with people chirping and (answering back) is not OK. Obviously, I addressed that on the sideline.”
Early in the third quarter, cameras caught Manziel appearing to air sign an autograph as he talked to a Rice defender. Sumlin said he did not see that play, but would check the video.
“If it did happen, I’ll address it,” said Sumlin, who benched Manziel after his fourth quarter penalty.
On Friday, Manziel addressed the team, which was required as part of his NCAA punishment. He was not available for comment after Saturday’s game. Alan Cannon, an athletic department spokesperson, said the decision not to make Manziel available was a joint one by athletic department officials.
Manziel led the Aggies to 24 points in the second half. He threw three touchdown passes, including two to receiver Mike Evans, completing six of eight passes for 94 yards. He rushed six times for 19 yards. He was sacked twice.
Matt Joeckel got the start at quarterback. He played a steady first half, completing 14 of 19 passes for 190 yards, with a 71-yard touchdown to freshman Ricky Seals-Jones, A&M’s top recruit.
The depleted A&M defense, missing six key players, initially couldn’t handle Rice. By game’s end, they’d allowed 509 yards. The unit grew more comfortable with the blitzes and intercepted the Rice quarterback on consecutive possessions in the third quarter.
The Owls began the game with a 96-yard scoring drive. At the end of the first quarter, the Owls were averaging 15.3 yards per play. Overall, running back Charles Ross rushed for 107 yards and quarterback Taylor McHargue accounted for 78, with a career-high 57-yard scramble.
“To look what we did great and to look at the mistakes we made, it shows we’re going to be a really good team,” said Rice coach David Bailiff.
But the second-half presence of Manziel energized the Aggies and started a noticeable buzz from the Kyle Field crowd of 86,686. His antics were applauded by some of his teammates.
“That’s how he is,” said A&M offensive tackle Cedric Ogbuehi. “He is a fiery guy and that’s what we love about him. He is not quiet and he’s not shy. He is loud and aggressive and that’s what makes him Johnny Football, so we love it.”
BOX TEXT: NOTES
Eight players were suspended for all or part of Saturday’s game. A ninth player will have to sit out next week’s first half
Suspensions announced Saturday for violating athletic department rules:
CB De’Vante Harris
LB Steven Jenkins
WR Edward Pope
DE Gavin Stansbury
Previously suspended for offseason issues:
CB Deshazor Everett (first half)
QB Johnny Manziel (first half)
DT Kirby Ennis
S Floyd Raven
Ejected from game, suspended for first half next week
Everett (targeting)
DL Daeshon Hall (fighting)
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