The 50: Ranking Aggie football's greatest plays (5-1)

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Oh my gracious, there have been dozens of great plays in Texas A&M football history.

With that in mind, TexAgs is ranking the greatest 50 plays in Texas A&M football history. The list will be revealed five plays at a time from No. 50 to No. 1.

There were big runs, big catches, big hits, big kicks and big returns. Some produced iconic moments. Some clinched championships. Some contributed to stunning upsets. Some even came in losses. There was “The Hit,” “The Texas Special” and “Bo No Go.” There was Johnny Football, Sirr Parker and Toooombs.

They will bring back great memories. They will cause great debates. There will be questions like “How could that play not be higher?” or “Why was this play omitted?”

Oh Doctor, it was hard compiling our list. See how closely yours matches ours.

Click here to review plays 6-50.

5. Haskell Hurricane hits New Orleans (Jan. 1, 1940): The unbeaten Aggies were aiming to validate their 1939 national championship against Tulane in the Sugar Bowl. A&M, however, was trailing 13-7 late in the fourth quarter, and the Aggies were facing fourth-and-six at the Green Wave 22. From there, quarterback Cotton Price passed into the right flat to Herbie Smith, who then lateraled to Jarrin’ John Kimbrough, a.k.a. “The Haskell Hurricane” at the 18-yard line. Kimbrough fought his way to the end zone as the New  New Orleans Tribune recounted: “… brushing off Green tacklers like Gulliver flicking Lilliputians off his coat lapel.”



4. Johnny Manziel touchdown pass vs. Alabama (Nov. 10, 2012): Already holding a 7-0 first quarter lead, the Aggies were facing third-and-goal at the Alabama 10-yard line. Manziel dropped back to pass and was moving in the pocket when he bumped into right guard Cedric Ogbuehi. That contact made him lose the football for a split second. He quickly regained control, rolled left and then located a wide-open Ryan Swope in the end zone for a touchdown that staked A&M to a 14-0 lead. The play prompted announcer Verne Lundquist to exclaim: “Oh my gracious! How about that!"



3. Quentin Coryatt administers “The Hit” vs. TCU (Nov 7, 1991): TCU was attempting to convert a third-and-five when receiver Kyle McPherson tried to catch a slant pass. Instead, McPherson was hit by Coryatt, who seemed to get all of his 250 pounds into the collision. McPherson was knocked unconscious and broke his jaw in three places. The Aggies won 44-7, and the play was named the “Hit of the Year” by ESPN.



2. Matt Bumgardner catch vs. Texas (Nov. 26, 1999): Just days after the Bonfire tragedy that took the lives of 12 students, an emotional Kyle Field crowd witnessed the inspired Aggies’ bid to upset the No. 5 Longhorns. The Aggies trailed 16-13 with just over five minutes remaining, but had driven to the Texas 14-yard line. There, the Aggies faced second-and-11 when quarterback Randy McCown lofted a pass to Matt Bumgardner near the right pylon. Bumgardner made an adjustment on the ball and leaped over Texas cornerback Ahmad Brooks for a touchdown that provided the winning points in a 20-16 A&M victory.



1. Sirr Parker’s touchdown vs. Kansas State (Dec. 5 1998): Though Texas A&M was a two-touchdown underdog in the Big 12 Championship Game, the Aggies came back from an eight-point fourth quarter deficit to force overtime. Trailing 33-30 in the second overtime period, the Aggies faced third-and-17 at the 32-yard line. Quarterback Branndon Stewart hit running back Sirr Parker on a slant. Parker ran through one attempted tackle, veered right and outran another K-State defender to the pylon for a touchdown that lifted the Aggies to the Big 12 championship.