COLLEGE STATION -- The moniker fits Texas A&M freshman safety Trent Hunter perfectly. Junior linebacker Matt Featherston calls Hunter -- a "head hunter."

The 5-foot-10, 185-pound Hunter made 17 tackles in his first college start against Army and was named the Big 12 defensive player of the week.

Hunter started in place of the injured Jordan Peterson.

Coach Mike Sherman says Hunter was one of a handful of players he recruited after replacing Dennis Franchione last November. The former Katy High School standout will get a stiffer challenge this week.

The Black Knights attempted only five passes, and the Aggies (2-2) open conference play Saturday against Number 21 Oklahoma State (4-0), one of the nation's highest scoring teams, averaging 52 points per game.

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TRULY OFFENSIVE:-- The Aggies rank last in the Big 12 in scoring offense (21.5 points per game), rushing (111 yards per game), pass offense (186.5 ypg) and drives inside the red zone (8).

Coach Mike Sherman says the woes start with the offensive line, which had just one returning starter this season. The Aggies lead the league in sacks allowed (11).

On paper, A&M's strong suit on offense before the season started was the running game, with junior Mike Goodson leading a talented stable of backs.

But the Aggies don't have a running back among the league's top 12 and Goodson leads the team with an anemic 55 rushing yards per game.

Sherman says senior tackle Travis Schneider should be back this week after sitting out the Army game with an ankle injury.

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SHOULDERING THE LOAD:-- Sophomore quarterback Jerrod Johnson says his shoulder should be fully healed by Saturday.

Johnson first sprained his throwing shoulder in A&M's 41-23 loss to Miami, then aggravated it after taking a hit in last week's game against Army.

Johnson didn't throw at all before last week's game, but was pressed into service when senior Stephen McGee re-injured his throwing shoulder. Johnson went 6-for-10 for 53 yards and a touchdown against Army.

Sherman was leaning toward starting Johnson against Oklahoma State. Though Johnson has taken more snaps than McGee this season, his only start came against Miami.

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EXTRA POINTS: The Aggies have nine straight games and 17 of their last 20 in which they win the turnover margin. ... The Big 12 announced that the Aggies' October 11 conference home opener against Kansas State will not be televised. The game will kick off at 1 p.m. ... Goodson is one catch from tying Larry Stegent for second place on the school's all-time list for receptions by a running back. Stegent caught 71 passes from 1967-69. Keith Woodside is A&M's career receptions leader for a running back, catching 110 passes between 1983-87. ... Justin Brantly leads the Big 12 and ranks fifth nationally with a 45.6-yard punting average.

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QUOTABLE: "It's a major emphasis for both our lives right now, yes." -- Sherman, on whether he's still pressuring Jorvorskie Lane to control his weight.