SAN DIEGO — The besieged Texas A&M football coach, fresh off a startling upset victory at rival Texas, relished the chance to get a few things off of his chest. "There were a lot of things going against us," he said. "The press jumped ship, some former students jumped ship, some fans jumped ship. But our players made the decision to keep going." The coach was Jackie Sherrill, and the year was 1984. The Aggies wrapped up a 6-5 season with Sherrill's first victory over UT in three tries — 37-12 in Austin. The Aggies followed with three league titles over the next three seasons under Sherrill, who told his players during the '84 season that if they didn't get it going, they were "going to get his (rear end) fired," according to former All-American defensive end Ray Childress.
Begging the question: Will the 2006 season wind up this A&M generation's 1984 — the start of something big — or will it turn into another 2004, when Tennessee crushed a program figured to be on the rise in the Cotton Bowl, a blow that carried over into a 5-6 campaign in 2005. Thursday night's Holiday Bowl against favored Cal (9-3), the Pac-10 co-champion, should offer the Aggies (9-3) plenty of clues as to their program's direction under fourth-year coach Dennis Franchione. What they know for now, however, is winning in Austin 12-7 last month lifted a huge burden, as Franchione earned his first victory over UT in four tries. "If you're having a bad day," linebacker Justin Warren said of a newfound aura in Aggieland, "you put an A&M football shirt on, and you'll be all right." Added safety Melvin Bullitt, "People are a lot friendlier. I've been out to eat and taken a couple of pictures with people. I'm not used to that." The Aggies endured plenty of criticism earlier this year, after barely defeating Army in the Alamodome and losing in their league opener to Texas Tech. "We had to put in earplugs," Bullitt said. "All we've heard since we've been here is that Coach Fran is not going to be here much longer, you guys aren't any good, and we need to get some new guys. "But we beat the defending national champions, and we lost three games by a total of six points. We fought every game to the last minute. One or two more plays here or there, and we're playing (in the national title game). "This program is looking up." Two years ago, the 7-4 Aggies swaggered into Dallas for the Cotton Bowl, seemingly on an up-tick under Franchione (despite a narrow loss in Austin), before the Volunteers whipped them 38-7. A&M followed with a losing season, bringing hollers for Franchione's job. On Thursday, the Aggies will play in their first bowl since the Cotton. One thing's certain so far — the victory at UT has done wonders in College Station. "Any time you beat your rival and end a streak of losses," Franchione said, "it adds a little bounce in everybody's step."
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