For all the hype and hoopla given to Johnny Manziel's half-game suspension for Texas A&M's season opener against Rice, it appears the suspensions to nearly half of the Aggies' starting defense are a much bigger deal.
Texas A&M getting challenged by Rice: Can Johnny Manziel come in on defense?
Texas A&M is clearly missing its suspended defenders in the first quarter against Rice.
Rice has jumped out to a 14-7 lead on the Aggies midway through the first quarter after two five-play touchdown drives in which the Owls had little trouble marching the ball down the field.
The Owls' second touchdown came on a catch-and-run by running back Charles Ross, who scored from 19 yards out and finished things off by absolutely trucking Aggie safety Howard Matthews in the process:
A seven-point deficit midway through the first quarter is hardly insurmountable. If A&M is hoping this is a brief fluke of good fortune, though, Rice WR Jordan Taylor would like to remind you that the Owls are here to play today:
When it comes to how this game will shake out, though, all bets remain off until we see what Johnny Manziel does under center in the second half.
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