Will Muschamp praises Kellen Mond’s toughness and ability heading into fourth matchup against Texas A&M QB
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It’s not often a head coach has the opportunity to face a college quarterback four times during the player’s career but that’s what is set to happen this weekend in Columbia as Will Muschamp’s South Carolina defense will get its final opportunity to beat Kellen Mond on Saturday.
As any Gamecock fan could tell you, South Carolina has yet to ever beat Texas A&M and this year’s challenge looks to be among the most difficult facing the program in the seven-year history between the two programs as the Aggies will enter the game ranked as one of the top 10 teams in the nation.
The Aggies are riding a three-game winning streak into the game with Kellen Mond showcasing a real hot hand heading into Saturday’s matchup. During his team’s current winning streak, Mond has completed 59 of 84 passes (70.2 percent) for 737 yards with eight touchdowns and one interception against Florida, Mississippi State and Arkansas.
In his three matchups against Will Muschamp’s South Carolina defense, Mond has completed 64 of 97 passes (65.9 percent) for 733 yards with two touchdowns with 167 rushing yards and another score on the ground.
Muschamp was asked on Tuesday to share his thoughts on the biggest issues Mond creates for South Carolina’s defense.
“Experience, No. 1. The guy has seen a lot of looks, he’s experienced as a player,” Muschamp said of Mond. “He’s got legs, he can hurt with his legs. He’s very accurate with the football. He was 21 of 26 (passing) the other night (vs. Arkansas).
“I think he has a very good understanding of what they want done offensively. He presents a lot of issues, No. 1 of a thrower and No. 2 as a runner. Their staff and their team believe in him an awful lot and the confidence they have in him.”
Muschamp was then asked if South Carolina has any advantage against Mond in this matchup considering the Gamecocks have seen the Texas A&M quarterback so many times.
“No because he’s a good player. I don’t know that it helps you at all,” Muschamp answered. “He’s a really good football player, an experienced guy. It’s very unusual to see a guy in his fourth year as a starter but to see where he’s come as a freshman and how he’s continued to progress every year.
“I think probably one of his most talented attributes is his toughness. This guy will stand in there. I think of last year, we rushed them pretty well, we got after him pretty good and he got up every single time… I know his element of toughness impresses Jimbo, from that standpoint, in our conversations. I have respect for the young man.”
One thing is clear, whatever South Carolina tried in the past to limit Mond, the Gamecocks may want to mix things up this season or another loss to the Aggies seems inevitable.
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com
