Tigers edge Jimbo’s Aggies
QB Bryant takes over in second half, helps Clemson survive scare
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Kelly Bryant threw for 205 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score to help No. 2 Clemson escape with a 28-26 victory over Kellen Mond and Texas A&M on Saturday night.
Mond was spectacular in the second half, throwing for three touchdowns, with a 14-yard pass to Kendrick Rogers cutting the lead to 28-26 with 46 seconds left. But his big performance came up just short when the two-point conversion was intercepted in the end zone.
“The moment was not too big for him . . . his composure in the game and his decision-making were excellent,” Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said it was a shame anyone had to lose this one.
“I thought we had opportunities to really get control of the game in the first half, and we didn’t take advantage of it,” Swinney said.
Mond finished with a careerhigh 430 yards passing, and Rogers had 120 yards receiving and two touchdowns.
“Just one play short, and those small details matter the most,” Mond said.
Many in the crowd of more than 104,000 chanted Fisher’s name as he walked off the field after the loss.
Fisher, who came to A&M from Florida State on a 10-year, $75 million contract, said he appreciated the passion of the fans but wished it could’ve come after a win.
“It disappoints me that I couldn’t make the call to help them win the game,” he said.
Freshman Trevor Lawrence started the second half but failed to move the ball effectively, and Bryant took over and led the Tigers on two touchdown drives in the last five minutes of the third quarter to increase the lead to 15.
Mond got the Aggies to 28-20 when he threw a 14-yard pass to Quartney Davis with about 14 minutes left.
The Aggies were driving with about two minutes left when Davis ran after making a catch, and K’Von Wallace caused him to fumble the ball out of the back of the end zone for a touchback to give Clemson the ball.
The call was reviewed but upheld, and Fisher got in the face of one of the officials and yelled for a bit as Davis doubled over in disbelief and covered his face as he was consoled by teammates.
Clemson’s vaunted defensive line, led by first-team All-America end Clelin Ferrell and tackle Christian Wilkins and second-team AllAmerica tackle Dexter Lawrence, helped the Tigers pile up 10 tackles for loss and four sacks.
Lawrence has a lot of raw talent and impressive arm strength, but the 18-year-old might not be quite ready to lead Clemson. Though Bryant struggled to move the offense at times, he showed maturity and poise at key moments to come away with the win.
This was a coming-out party of sorts for Mond, who has played well sporadically but never controlled a game like he did against Clemson.