Texas A&M 62, Oklahoma State 23

Saturday, October 15th 2005, 6:29 pm

By: News On 6

COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) _ Reggie McNeal threw three touchdown passes and ran for another score, and Texas A&M balmed concerns after getting blown out last week by routing Oklahoma State 62-23 on Saturday.

Jovorskie Lane, taking the place of injured starter Courtney Lewis, rushed for 139 yards and scored three touchdowns to help Texas A&M (4-2, 2-1 Big 12) shake the unease of an embarrassing 41-20 loss at Colorado last week.

Julius Crosslin had two touchdowns runs for Oklahoma State (3-3, 0-3), which fell behind again early in its third straight loss. The Cowboys trailed 27-3 in the first half after the Aggies scored on their first five possessions.

Last week, Oklahoma State trailed by 22 before closing the gap late in a 38-31 loss to Missouri. The week before, the Cowboys were beaten 34-0 by Colorado.

McNeal, held to minus-14 yards rushing against Colorado, ran for a career-best 150 yards on 12 carries. His last run was a 34-yard scramble he punctuated by diving over the end zone pylon and losing his helmet while tumbling out of bounds.

McNeal was ruled out at the 3, but the run brought the A&M crowd to is feet. It was the most convincing win for Texas A&M since routing SMU 66-8 on Sept. 17 for its first victory.

Following that win, the Aggies had trouble shaking Division I-AA school Texas State and needed overtime to beat perennial Big 12 lightweight Baylor. Both games were at home.

Then came last week's humiliation at Colorado, in which Texas A&M had just 252 total yards.

Against Oklahoma State, the Aggies had 694.

Chris Alexander, Boone Stutz and Brandon Leone caught their first touchdown passes of the year, all from McNeal. He finished 18-for-26 for 263 yards with an interception.

Oklahoma State sophomore Al Pena, making his first start in place of the injured Bobby Reid, was 13-of-32 for 194 yards and one touchdown. He also threw four interceptions, including two in Texas A&M territory in the third quarter that deflated hopes of a comeback.

The first snap was an ominous start for Pena _ dropping back to pass, he was stripped by Devin Gregg and Texas A&M recovered on Oklahoma State's 42-yard line. Lane, a 235-pound freshman, plowed into the end zone for his third touchdown on the following play.

Mike Hamilton led Oklahoma State with 97 yards rushing.

Jason Carter caught four passes for 58 yards to lead all Texas A&M receivers.