One year later, Simms again the starter against A&M

AUSTIN (AP) _ As tough as this season has been for Texas quarterback Chris Simms, it pales in comparison to his first start for the Longhorns. <br><br>About 25 minutes before last season's kickoff

Wednesday, November 22nd 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

AUSTIN (AP) _ As tough as this season has been for Texas quarterback Chris Simms, it pales in comparison to his first start for the Longhorns.

About 25 minutes before last season's kickoff against Texas A&M, one of the Longhorns' fiercest rivals, coach Mack Brown told the rookie he would start. Major Applewhite had a stomach virus and was too sick to play.

``Something I had always dreamed about,'' said Simms, who played admirably in the 20-16 loss but was pulled late in the game when Applewhite was ready.

A year later _ with few touchdowns, more interceptions and a questionable quarterback battle behind him _ Simms will start again Friday when 12th-ranked Texas (8-2, 6-1 Big 12) renews its rivalry with the No. 22 Aggies (7-3, 5-2 Big 12).

Applewhite is still considered questionable after spraining a knee three weeks ago in a victory over Texas Tech. Although Applewhite could play, Simms will start, Brown said Tuesday.

Unlike last year, Simms gets to play on his home turf in Texas' Royal-Memorial Stadium.

Last year, Simms got the last-minute call in front of 86,000 screaming Aggies at A&M's Kyle Field. Already an emotional rivalry, that game came right after the collapsed bonfire tragedy that had killed 12 people and injured dozens more. Aggies fans needed an outlet and Simms' No. 8 jersey was the perfect target.

``You know, sometimes it's more fun to play in that adverse situation where there's 90,000 against you. I kind of enjoyed that; it was my first time getting booed, it was loud and I like having all odds against us,'' he said.

``When I went to the line and started looking from side to side at (A&M fans) waving those towels, I thought `What am I doing here?''' Simms said. ``On TV, it looked like I was looking over the defense, but I was watching those fans wave those towels.''

Simms and Applewhite rotated as starters the first half of this season as the Longhorns stumbled to 3-2. Applewhite got more playing time and it was obvious he had better command of the offense. Simms, meanwhile, was making a bad habit of throwing interceptions that were returned for touchdowns.

After a blowout loss to Oklahoma, Brown made Applewhite his regular starter and Texas won four straight. Simms didn't get another start until Applewhite was injured against Texas Tech.

And again Simms struggled. But not for long.

Against Kansas, Simms threw yet another pickoff that was returned for a TD. He didn't get rattled and his two long touchdown passes to Roy Williams rallied Texas to what turned into an easy 51-16 win.

Between his one complete game and the shared playing time with Applewhite, Simms has passed for 681 yards, five touchdowns and seven interceptions.

Not quite the season he envisioned back in August when he had changed his jersey to No. 1 and was penciled in as the starter.

Although he would like a better touchdowns-to-interceptions ration, Brown said Simms has come a long way _ not only from last year's A&M game, but from the beginning of this season as well.

``I think he understands now how hard it is to play quarterback,'' Brown said. ``He's had a fast learning curve this year.''