Tigers manage to hang on
They avoid upset loss behind Bryant’s arm and legs as Mond rallies the Aggies.
NO. 2 CLEMSON 28 TEXAS A&M 26
COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Kelly Bryant threw for 205 yards and a touchdown and ran for a score to help No. 2 Clemson escape with a 28-26 victory over Texas A&M on Saturday night in front of more than 104,000.
Kellen Mond threw for three second-half touchdowns, with a 14-yard pass to Kendrick Rogers cutting the Aggies’ deficit to 28-26 with 46 seconds left. But Texas A&M came up short when a two-point conversion attempt was intercepted in the end zone.
“The moment was not too big for him, his composure in the game and his decision-making was excellent,” said coach Jimbo Fisher, who arrived at Texas A&M from Florida State on a 10-year, $75-million contract.
“It disappoints me that I couldn’t make the call to help them win the game.”
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said it was a shame anyone had to lose.
“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 career-high 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.
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 extend the lead to 15 points.
Mond got the Aggies to 28-20 when he threw a 14yard 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.
Clemson’s vaunted defensive line, led by first-team All-America end Clelin Ferrell and tackle Christian Wilkins, and second-team All-America tackle Dexter Lawrence, helped the Tigers pile up 10 tackles for losses and four sacks.