"I was in a zone I haven't been in before," Johnny Manziel told ESPN after Texas A&M's come-from-behind win on Saturday night in which he accounted for five touch downs. "Ever. I just wanted this game."
Down 38-17 at the half, Manziel's Aggies ended up winning 52-48 on a late pick six for the game's first turnover. Before that, it was all Manziel.
"I can't even talk about anything other than this game," Manziel said. "This was unreal. ... I haven't made (the decision) yet. I'm in the moment right now."
Perhaps no play during the thrilling victory defined the 2012 Heisman winner's college career better than a third quarter scramble beginning on the Duke seventeen yard line. Still behind the line of scrimmage, he attempted to hurdle a defender, was sent backwards, but somehow stayed on his feet. From there, he flipped a short pass to his wide receiver, who ran it into the end zone. It was trademark Manziel: athleticism, creativity, and just a little luck.
"It looked like we had him down three times," Duke coach David Cutcliffe said. "He's just strong, so strong."
Manziel and the Aggies needed this one badly. They'd already lost four games, and hadn't beaten a ranked team all season, despite playing tough (on offense at least) in all of their losses, besides the LSU game. Finishing 8-5 and losing the final game of the year would be something of a black mark on Manziel's record, and perhaps even hurt his draft stock. 9-4 and a bowl win sounds a lot better. Currently, most experts believe he'll find himself somewhere in the top ten and possibly even in the #1 spot. Some GM will fall in love with the charismatic talent.
Overall, Manzie probably had the best statistical game of his collegiate career, finishing 30-38 for 382 yards and four TDs. He also rushed for 73 yards on 11 carries and a TD.
