Cessna: Victory could be big for A&M

Maybe A&M's 24-23 victory over Oklahoma State will be the start of something special. Or eventually it might be remembered as nothing more than a statistical anomaly.

It's significance wasn't important late Saturday night. Head coach Dennis Franchione and his players just needed to savor what they'd accomplished. Nor was it time to ask them about this week's game at Texas Tech, where the Aggies haven't won since 1993.

"It always is tough to go there," Franchione said. "And they always are revved up for us. But you know what? I've got a few hours tonight I want to enjoy this one before I have to think too much about that one."

Cessna: A&M's test of faith comes Saturday

Coaches live in fear of being blind-sided, but Dennis Franchione was never so glad to be caught off-guard as he was Tuesday.

Texas A&M's 130 football players decided to demonstrate their unity behind the embattled coach at his weekly press conference. They politely waited until he showed up, then stood and clapped. They listened to his every word until someone reminded them to go back to class. Then they exited in an orderly fashion, shaking their coach's hand and, in most instances, hugging him.

It was a firm reminder that a show of actual hands does speak louder than words, especially those that are e-mailed, whether they're the words that Franchione sent to get himself in this mess or the words now being sent by irate fans wanting him fired.

Cessna: Darnell is Franchione's defensive handyman

Gary Darnell is a handy guy for A&M head football coach Dennis Franchione to have around.

Darnell is a pretty good defensive coordinator, but in 36 years of coaching he's also seen it all.

That's among the reasons Franchione asked his old buddy to replace Carl Torbush after the defenseless 2005 season.