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Well, it almost happened. The Aggies gave No. 2 Clemson all it wanted, taking the Tigers to the final whistle before falling, 28-26, at Kyle Field.
It was a gutsy performance from a program that exhibited a will to win from beginning to end. There were far more positives than negatives in a game in which the Aggies outgained their visitors by nearly 100 yards (501-413).
Here are five things I liked about the game, and three things that could be improved upon moving forward.
Things I liked
1.Aggressiveness: The Aggies showed absolutely no fear in taking on what is clearly one of the top two programs in college football over the last few years. From playcalling to execution, Texas A&M was not intimidated on either side of the football. The defense limited Clemson to 115 yards rushing, while the offensive line provided enough protection for QB Kellen Mond and the Aggies to produce the aforementioned 500 yards against a front four that many believe will all be first-round draft picks.
2. Goal-line stand: The Aggies held Clemson out of the end zone on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line. Already trailing 14-3, the Aggies remained in the game by shutting down the Tigers and taking over on downs. A score there and the game could have gotten out of hand. Instead, the defense gave Texas A&M new life.
3. Playcalling: Head coach Jimbo Fisher worked up an excellent game plan against the aggressive Clemson defense. Screens, quick passes and well-designed routes were all among the strategies employed to keep the Tigers off Mond.
4. Mond escapability: Now, no one will confuse him with Johnny Manziel, but Mond was very Manziel-like in scrambling away from Clemson defenders and throwing for touchdowns. The sophomore threw for a career-high 430 yards, more than 100 yards better than his previous high of 301 last year against Louisiana-Lafayette. He also equaled his career high with three touchdown passes and set personal marks for attempts (40) and completions (23). None of that could have been accomplished without his ability to escape the pressuring Tigers defense.
5. Linebacker play from Otaro Alaka and Tyrel Dodson: The veterans led the charge defensively. Alaka posted a team-high 10 tackles, with Dodson adding seven more. The two combined for 3.0 tackles for loss and were instrumental in both rushing the passer and pass coverage.
Things I didn’t like
1.Daniel LaCamera missed FGs: Granted one of his two misses was blocked, but there’s no excuse for shanking a 26-yard attempt in a game of this importance, especially considering Clemson’s final margin of victory. LaCamera did connect on a pair of 40-yarders, but the early miss proved to be crucial.
2. Nick Starkel fumble: Trailing 14-6 in the third quarter, the Aggies were on the march. But after a 23-yard run by Mond to the Tigers 21-yard line, he left the game with cramps, and Starkel entered the contest for the first time. On first and 10, the Aggies tried a pass play rather than offering Starkel a simpler play to get him accustomed to being a part of the game. Starkel was sacked and fumbled the ball away, which started a Clemson touchdown drive that extended the Tigers’ lead to 21-6. It proved to be a critical turnaround.
3. No answer for Clemson QB Kelly Bryant: Clemson employed two quarterbacks, but only one was effective. Bryant threw for 205 yards and a touchdown, completing 12 of 17 passes. He also led the Tigers in rushing with 70 yards on 15 carries. The Aggies had far more trouble corralling Bryant than his backup, Trevor Lawrence.
Glenn Sattell is an award-winning freelance writer for Saturday Down South.
