A&M, South Carolina QBs look to progress

COLUMBIA, S.C.—Texas A&M quarterback Kellen Mond and South Carolina signal-caller Jake Bentley know they’ve got room to improve midway through their seasons.

When the 22nd-ranked Aggies play at the Gamecocks on Saturday, the game could tell a lot about which one takes a step forward.

Mond and the Aggies (4-2, 2-1 Southeastern Conference) are trying to continue their rise in their debut season with coach Jimbo Fisher. Bentley, who missed last week’s game with a left knee injury, hopes to return to action with a better performance than his last outing against No. 18 Kentucky two weeks ago.

Mond is third in SEC total offense and fourth in the league passing at 241 yards a game. Texas A&M is seeking its third straight league win, something it has not accomplished in two years.

“I’m definitely not satisfied with my play, but I like where I’m at right now,” Mond said.

Bentley is averaging 232 yards passing per game, but has not looked strong in South Carolina’s biggest games. He had just nine yards passing in the first half at Kentucky as the Gamecocks trailed 24-3. Bentley also had three interceptions in the game.

He was medically cleared to compete last week against Missouri, but it was backup Michael Scarnecchia who threw three touchdowns and rallied the Gamecocks to a dramatic 37-35 win over the Tigers on Parker White’s 33-yard field goal with two seconds left.

“As long as I’m ready to go, that’s the plan” to start, Bentley said. “And Mike’s going to be ready to go.”