Final from the Rose Bowl in Pasadena: UCLA 45, A&M 44

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell‏ @Michael_Carvell

Nick Starkel: 5 things to know about the Texas A&M quarterback

Starkel was not a big-time recruit.

Unlike some of his predecessors at Texas A&M, Starkel was not a top-flight recruit. Starkel was a 3-star recruit in the class of 2016 and committed just before National Signing Day. He was ranked as the No. 21 quarterback in the 2016 cycle.

Starkel redshirted his first year on campus

The quarterback did not see the field his first year on campus. But this could be a good thing, given that both Kyle Allen and Kyler Murray did before ultimately deciding to transfer. The last redshirt freshman to start for the Aggies was Johnny Manziel.

Nick Starkel beat out Kellen Mond and Jake Hubenak for the job.

Mond was the highest rated of the trio as a recruit, as he was the No. 3 dual threat quarterback in the 2017 class, per 247Sports composite rankings. Hubenak meanwhile has starting experience, as he's filled in in each of the past two seasons for the Aggies. Per reports, both quarterbacks could end up playing against the Bruins.

Starkel put up huge numbers as a high school senior

In his final year at  Liberty Christian High School in Argyle, he threw for 3,091 yards and 29 touchdowns.

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman Sep 1

With Texas A&M at UCLA on tap, 'Talking Season' is (finally) over: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/texas-sports-nation/article/Extreme-Aggie-makeover-Sumlin-leaving-no-stone-12162712.php ... via @HoustonChron

One of those victories last season came by the skin of the Aggies' teeth - a 31-24 overtime edging of UCLA at Kyle Field in the teams' opener.

Now A&M plays at the Rose Bowl for the first time, why the Aggies flew to Los Angeles on Friday, a day earlier than they'd typically travel for road games. With the NFL not beginning play in earnest until the following Sunday, the Aggies and the Bruins have this Sunday's coveted night slot on national TV.

"They've seen palm trees," Sumlin said this week with a chuckle of so many of his players not having been to the West Coast, "but they haven't seen 'em like that."

Bruins, whose 4-8 finish last season makes A&M's 8-5 string appear superb, are led by junior quarterback Josh Rosen, who might be the No. 1 overall selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

"He's one of the top quarterbacks in the nation, if not the top quarterback," A&M senior safety Armani [Ronnie] Watts said. "You can't just let him sit in the pocket and make throws."

Rosen exited last season in October with a shoulder injury, and said this month he's 100 percent and ready to roll.

[jbcarol]

A&M 0  UCLA 3  10:00 1st

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 4s4 seconds ago

Starkel's first college pass is a 13-yard completion to Christian Kirk for a 1st down.

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 6m6 minutes ago

Molson 29-yard FG on 1st drive, Texas A&M first drive upcoming with freshman Nick Starkel taking the snaps. 53 yards on 13 plays.

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 20m20 minutes ago

Rose Bowl is little more than half full right now, but a WHOLE lot of people still standing outside in line w/ kickoff in about 10 minutes.

[jbcarol]

TD A&M

[jbcarol]

A&M 7  UCLA 3  6:41 1st

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 9s9 seconds ago

Impressive opening drive by Aggies, capped by 5-yard TD run by Keith Ford. Aggies lead 7-3 midway through 1st quarter. Starkel: 3-3 for 39.

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 3m3 minutes ago

A&M tries 2 passes (INC) and a run for 2 yards, settles for 19-yard FG by LaCamera. A&M leads 10-3 w/ 5:11 in 1st.

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 22s23 seconds ago

Aggies go back to what was successful on 1st drive, Williams w/ 12 yard run, then 2-yard TD run, A&M leads UCLA 17-3 w/ 4:04 in 1st.

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 47s48 seconds ago

Trayveon Williams' mom told him to keep his mind on UCLA after family devastated by Harvey: http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/aggies/article/Horrific-ordeal-hits-home-with-RB-12160035.php&cmpid=twitter-premium ... via @HoustonChron

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 4m4 minutes ago

Another solid stand by A&M D, Peevy bats down pass on 3rd down, UCLA punts. Aggies lead 17-3 late in 1st quarter.

[jbcarol]

A&M 17  UCLA 3  end 1st at the Rose Bowl

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman

Texas A&M needs to build one of these mountains next to that planned lake outside of Kyle Field, nice view here:

[jbcarol]

Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 2m2 minutes ago

Kevin Sumlin had said Keith Ford had trimmed up and was running more efficiently this year. It's showing early against UCLA. 7 carries. 45

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 2m2 minutes ago

Trayveon Williams explodes for 72 yards, Aggies sticking with running game (for good reason).

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 26s27 seconds ago

Keith Ford w/ 2-yard TD run -- that drive started on Aggies' 1-yard line. Aggies lead 24-3 early in 2nd Q. Drive included TW 72-yard run.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 3m3 minutes ago

Williams currently has 13 carries for 122 yards and one TD.

This marks the first time Trayveon Williams has rushed for more than 100 yards since he rushed for 217 yards against Tennessee last season.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 2m2 minutes ago

A&M puts Kellen Mond at QB.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 46s46 seconds ago

That's six straight incomplete passes for Josh Rosen. He's 6-of-18 passing for 35 yards.

[TDHawgs]

Aggies looking good so far..

[jbcarol]

TD Aggies

[jbcarol]

3rd TD for Keith Ford

[jbcarol]

A&M 31  UCLA 3  4:11 2nd

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A&M 31  UCLA 10  3:00 2nd

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 2m2 minutes ago

UCLA fans sarcastically cheer for the Bruins' first first down since the opening drive of the game.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 2m2 minutes ago

After a gorgeous throw by Josh Rosen, UCLA's Jalen Starks scores on a 2-yard run. A&M 31, UCLA 10, 3:00 left in the half.

[jbcarol]

Nick Starkel is back in at QB for A&M with 3:00 to go.

[jbcarol]

Williams 61 yard TD run on 1st down.

[jbcarol]

A&M 38  UCLA 10 2:40 2nd

[jbcarol]

15 carries, 188 yards in the first half for Williams

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 8m8 minutes ago

First-half stats for A&M-UCLA.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 16m16 minutes ago

A look at the smoke from a nearby wildfire.

[jbcarol]

A&M starts the second half with possession near their 25

[jbcarol]

A&M 41  UCLA 1  9:57 3rd

[jbcarol]

Starkel limped off the field after a 3rd down scramble

[jbcarol]

A&M 44  UCLA 10  4:08 3rd

[jbcarol]

TD UCLA

[jbcarol]

 SEC Network‏Verified account @SECNetwork 3h3 hours ago

#GigEm

[jbcarol]

A&M 44  UCLA 17  2:06 3rd

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 4m4 minutes ago

End of the third quarter: Texas A&M 44, UCLA 17.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 3m3 minutes ago

Attendance at the Rose Bowl: 64,635.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 1m1 minute ago

Prior to that incompletion, Josh Rosen completed seven straight passes for 109 yards. Currently 20 of 38 for 267 yards.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 42s42 seconds ago

Josh Rosen's 9-yard TD to Darren Andrews cuts A&M's lead to 44-24 with 13:22 left. That drive took 2:04 off the clock.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell‏ @Michael_Carvell

Breaking: Texas A&M quarterback Nick Starkel carted off after leg injury

A&M quarterback Nick Starkel was helped off the field after sustaining a leg injury in the third quarter against the Aggies' game with UCLA.

According to Ben Baby of the Dallas Morning News, Starkel was carted to the locker room minutes later.

In his first collegiate start, he went 6-of-13 for 63 yards while leading the offense to a 41-10 lead at the time of his exit.

[jbcarol]

 Brent Zwerneman‏ @BrentZwerneman 6m6 minutes ago

UCLA goes 85 yards in 8 plays in a little more than 2 minutes, 9-yard TD pass, Texas A&M leads 44-24 w/ 13:22 left in this one.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 1m1 minute ago

Big run by Mond there. A&M really needed that first down.

[jbcarol]

Michael Carvell‏ @Michael_Carvell

Breaking: Texas A&M quarterback Nick Starkel carted off after leg injury

Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby

Nick Starkel is being carted back to the locker room.


Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby

Trainers took off Starkel's left shoe.  He couldn't put much weight on it before they put him on the cart.

[jbcarol]

 Ben Baby‏Verified account @Ben_Baby 1m1 minute ago

UCLA has scored a touchdown on its last three drives. The longest drive was 2:04. A&M up 44-31 with 8:12 left.