Aggies without seven starters against Rice
Texas A&M was without five defensive starters and two offensive starters when the Aggies kicked off the season Saturday against Rice.
The school announced before the game that senior linebacker Steven Jenkins, junior defensive end Gavin Stansbury, sophomore cornerback De'Vante Harris and redshirt freshman wide receiver Edward Pope were suspended for two games for "violating athletics department rules and regulations."
The school previously suspended starting defensive backs Deshazor Everett and Floyd Raven, who were charged with criminal mischief stemming from an April incident. Everett was suspended for a half-game while Raven a full game.
They join starting quarterback Johnny Manziel, who was banned for the first half after Texas A&M struck a deal with the NCAA to settle allegations that he was paid to sign autographs during the offseason.
Matt Joeckel started in Manziel's place over freshman Kenny Hill. Joeckel is the twin brother of Luke Joeckel, an offensive tackle who was drafted in the first round by the Jacksonville Jaguars in April.
Rice marched 96 yards up the field to score on its first possession of the game.
