Sherman promises A&M victories

? Mike Sherman pronounced himself disappointed Monday, two days after his Texas A&M coaching debut ended in a stunning home loss to Arkansas State.

“We didn’t give them a win,” Sherman said of Aggie fans. “I feel a huge responsibility that they went home without a victory. They expected to see us win, and we didn’t do that. That was very disappointing for me personally.”

Arkansas State won, 18-14, on Saturday, its first victory over a Big 12 opponent in 15 tries. Texas A&M built a 14-3 lead and gained more than 230 yards in the first half, then self-destructed in the second half with four turnovers, a missed field goal and several blown defensive plays.

Arkansas State gained more than 400 yards of total offense.

Sherman also second-guessed a short-yardage call he made just before halftime. Instead of forcing the ball up the middle on fourth-and-one, Sherman chose to pitch it outside to running back Mike Goodson, who was tackled short of the first-down marker.

“It was not a great call on my part,” Sherman said. “I probably should have gone up the middle to keep that drive alive and get some points on the board.”

The Aggies play at New Mexico next week, suddenly a must-win with the difficult Big 12 slate looming. The Lobos lost 26-3 at home to TCU on Saturday in their opener.

“I’ve been doing this long enough to know … that I have complete confidence in how we do things, what we’re doing, the manner in which we do them,” Sherman said. “I have no doubt we will win. When that is exactly, I can’t pinpoint, but I know for a fact it will happen.”