Always friends no matter the outcome

Kickoff is at 7 p.m. on ESPN.

For area fans, the game holds special significance since a favorite quarterback and a favorite receiver meet for the final time in college football.

For Stephen McGee, it will be his last game as quarterback of the Aggies.

“It ought to be exciting,” he said. “I just want to finish strong, whatever it is, whatever my role. I want to finish it off strong and finish it off right.”

But he would not say whether he was going to start or even play because of the shoulder injury troubling his throwing arm.

“I don’t know about that,” he said. “We’ll see how the game goes and the situation we’re in.”

Longhorns receiver Jordan Shipley, however, believes his former quarterback will make an appearance.

“He’s definitely played pretty well in the last couple of games against us,” he said. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he plays. The good thing for me is I don’t have to worry about that because I’m on the other side of the ball. It’ll be fun to see what happens, and we’re just looking forward to playing.”

McGee has admitted this season has been frustrating for him because of the injury, especially since he is not used to being sidelined.

“There are a lot more downs than ups,” he said. “It’s been a rough road so far. But it’s part of the game and part of life.”

The quarterback said the shoulder does not hurt and feels fine. In fact, he said he could throw the ball. The question is whether the shoulder can hold up if he takes a good hit, he said.

“It’s one of those things that when you get hit, you know,” he said. “If I play, I guess I’ll find out.”

One of the players who can relate the most to McGee’s frustration about injuries is Shipley.

Shipley spent the first two years of his career recovering from a right hamstring injury and a bum left knee.

But both said they have been too busy to socialize together, unlike their days at Burnet High School.

“We don’t get to talk that much,” McGee said. 

“I haven’t talked to him,” Shipley said. “I know he’s had a lot of things that he’s kind of had to overcome this year.”

But McGee has watched his friend perform for the Longhorns.

“I’ve definitely been excited for him and the success he’s had this year,” he said. “As a person, he’s a great friend. I have a lot of respect for him.”

According to published reports, NFL scouts and teams love McGee’s size, throwing ability and leadership.

He said he plans to enter the 2009 draft. Meanwhile, because of the injuries, Shipley has received a medical redshirt, which means he can return to the Longhorns for the 2009 season.

But before either can look to the future, there’s still the matter of sharing the same field one more time on the collegiate level.

Shipley said this game — because of the Bowl Championship Series ranking and possible Big 12 championship and national championship game berths — is extremely important, aside from the obvious rivalry.

The other factor is the desire to snap a two-game losing streak to the Aggies.

“We’ve definitely had some tough games the last couple of years and you’ve got to give a lot of credit to A&M,” he said. “More than anything, we have to go out there and play well and hopefully take care of our big rivalry. As much as it is different, it is the same. If we don’t go out and take care of business, none of it means anything.”

“We have a lot of respect for what they have done,” McGee said. “We’ll see how this one unfolds.”