COLLEGE STATION -- Some of the most satisfying times at practice for Texas A&M's Tyrel Dodson comes when he is counting.
Occasionally, the sophomore linebacker can get all the way up to 25, his jersey number, as he keeps track of the reward for winning a third-down drill against the offense -- counting off the up-downs or push-ups after a successful stop.
The reward for winning those battles in practice pales in comparison to the big picture. Because the Aggies (5-2, 3-1) made tremendous strides in stopping opponents on third downs, it's led to a more rested defense heading into Saturday's game against Mississippi State (5-2, 2-2).