1. Johnny Manziel didn't win a second Heisman Trophy, but he's still the best collegiate player in the land. He completed 30 of 38 passes for 382 yards and touchdowns. He rushed 11 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. He led Texas A&M back from a 21-point deficit at the half and a 10-point deficit with six minutes remaining. Yes, the winning points were scored by nickel back Toney Hurd Jr. on a 55-yard interception return, but by all rights the Aggies should have been beaten long before then. That they weren't was yet more testimony to the inspirational powers of Johnny Football. Afterward he wouldn't say if he plans to enter the NFL draft, though everyone assumes he will. If this was indeed his final college game, it was surely among his greatest.
2. Mike Evans, one of the best receivers in the nation, helped Duke get off to a flying start. That took some doing, given that Evans plays for A&M. His penalty for protesting the lack of a pass-interference flag quashed the game's first possession and forced the Aggies to try a 55-yard field goal, which was missed. Soon Duke was ahead 7-0, soon to become 21-3 and 28-10 and 38-17 at the break. Not content with having ceded 15 early yards to the opposition, Evans gave the Devils 15 more in the second quarter, getting himself docked for a late hit while 30 yards away from the play.
3. How wild was this first half? Well, the team with the lead went for it twice on fourth down and tried an onside kick — in the second quarter! Sure enough, each Duke risk was rewarded. But really, what risk was there? The Devils scored touchdowns on their first five possessions. Remember the SEC Championship game of Dec. 7, which saw Auburn outpoint Missouri 59-42? Here we saw another SEC representative play even less defense that those two did that mind-numbing day. Duke didn't face its second third down until it had already scored four touchdowns. The only time A&M held the Devils to less than a touchdown in the half was when Duke kicked a field goal on the final play.
