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Texas A&M; Gets Past Texas, 34-13

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From Associated Press

No. 4 Texas A&M;, campaigning for a national championship, erupted with a 17-point second quarter that included two touchdowns by Rodney Thomas and survived Texas’ third-quarter rally for a 34-13 victory Thursday.

Texas A&M; (12-0, 7-0 in the Southwest Conference), which has won 21 consecutive regular-season games, remained one of three unbeaten, untied teams. The others are No. 1 Miami (10-0) and No. 2 Alabama (11-0).

The Aggies have won eight of the last nine games against Texas but trail, 64-30-5, in the series. Texas A&M; will be the host team in the Cotton Bowl on New Year’s Day.

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Texas (6-5, 4-3) ended its first season under Coach John Mackovic, the school’s 100th playing football. The Longhorns needed a victory over Texas A&M; for a berth in the Hancock Bowl on New Year’s Eve.

The Aggies took a 17-3 halftime lead on two six-yard runs by Thomas and a 42-yard field goal by Terry Venetoulias, all in the second quarter, and threatened to make the game a rout.

But the Longhorns erupted in the third quarter with a 56-yard kickoff return by Mike Adams and a tricky 18-yard touchdown catch by quarterback Peter Gardere, who lateraled to wide receiver Darrick Duke and then took the return pass down the right sideline 28 seconds into the third quarter.

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On A&M;’s next possession, Texas’ Van Malone recovered a fumble that led to a 42-yard field goal by Scott Szeredy with 11:01 to play in the quarter.

The rally merely woke up the Aggies, who took advantage of a fumble recovery by Steve Solari at the Texas 37 to set up a 28-yard field goal by Venetoulias. Moments later, Thomas scored his third touchdown on a two-yard dive.

Aaron Glenn put the final touches on the victory with a 95-yard interception return for a touchdown with 3:04 to play. The Longhorns had driven to A&M;’s 12.

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