Texas AM quarterback Johnny Manziel (2) scrambles in the second quarter against Alabama at Kyle Field.(Photo Matthew Emmons USA TODAY Sports)
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COLLEGE STATION Texas Here's when it finally became apparent the force of nature we know as Johnny Manziel could in fact be stopped when that strange fantastic combination of talent confidence and occasional luck malfunctioned.
Third quarter down by two touchdowns but driving. Texas AM's quarterback dropped back spotted a receiver downfield and fired. Travis Labhart wasn't really open a few yards away Malcome Kennedy was but this was Johnny Football.
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Instead he underthrew Labhart a tad enabling Alabama's Jarrick Williams to catch up. The pass hit the safety in the back popped high in the air and strong safety Vinnie Sunseri picked it off.
Seventy three yards later a circuitous route that included a whiffed tackle by Manziel Sunseri reached the end zone. Top ranked Alabama led 35 14 and it was all over. The game the final was 49 42 and maybe Manziel's shot to win another Heisman Trophy.
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That last part shouldn't be true. Not after Manziel's performance which was uneven but still spectacular. As it turns out Manziel can't quite do it all.
Just almost.
As 87 596 watched at Kyle Field Manziel bedeviled the Crimson Tide early running and passing the Aggies to a quick 14 0 lead shades of AM's fast start in last November's victory in Tuscaloosa. He finished 28 of 39 for 464 yards passing and accumulated 562 total. He threw a 95 yard touchdown pass to receiver Mike Evans midway through the fourth quarter and another to Malcome Kennedy with 15 seconds left to make the final moments enthralling.
And it's only one loss with a lot of season left. The statement made by Alabama was emphatic. The Crimson Tide's offense mauled AM's defense. And yet Manziel almost almost kept up. Texas AM's 628 yard total was the most Alabama has ever allowed. Even with a number of Heisman moments a couple of mistakes on plays also will be etched in our memories.
Sometimes they work like in the first half when Manziel uncorked a far more ill advised pass than the third quarter interception and when it seemed he might actually be unstoppable.
It was 14 all early in the second quarter and a shootout seemed on the way especially after Johnny Football happened.
On third and long no one was open. Pressured then in the grasp Manziel spun away. Backpedaled. Spun. Backpedaled some more. And then unleashed an ill advised pass a heave off his back foot far down the middle into a hornets' nest.
And of course an Aggie emerged with the football.
The play took 13 seconds of the game clock and all anyone could do was shrug That's Johnny Football.
That's just a Johnny Manziel play said Alabama linebacker C.J. Mosley admitting it was frustrating.
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Last SlideNext SlideBut that drive ended four plays later when Manziel threw into the end zone. It was a much better decision but a much poorer pass (though the receiver's route wasn't the best and Manziel later hinted there had been a miscommunication). The overthrown lob was easily intercepted and it was a critical turning point.
That's on me Manziel said. It's either our ball or nobody's. I know that and I know better than that.
Alabama needed four plays to go 80 yards for the lead. And the next time Manziel tried his luck it had gone bad. He had a shot at Sunseri after the interception and Sunseri recognized it.
He's not a hitter Sunseri said. He was going for the ball and I knew he was going for the ball.
Which makes perfect sense. We all know and were reminded so many times Saturday that when Manziel has it anything can happen.
He played Johnny like Sumlin said. That's about the way to put it.
It was almost but not quite good enough.
George Schroeder a national college football reporter for USA TODAY Sports is on Twitter GeorgeSchroeder.
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