In the midst of Texas rainfall, the No. 2 rated Clemson Tigers overcame a slow start, sloppy play, and a number of breakdowns in the secondary held up against an Aggie two-point conversion and escaped College Station with a 28-26 win.
On their opening drive, the Aggies converted on two third downs, including a 3rd and 6 putting the ball inside the Clemson 15-yard line. Clemson forced the Aggies to settle for a 26-yard field goal, but in rainy conditions, Daniel LaCamera's kick drifted wide right keeping A&M off the board.
Clemson took over and Kelly Bryant promptly threw short on a screen pass before Justin Falcinelli's "lookout" block on third down gave up a sack and forced Clemson to punt.
On A&M's second drive, they moved into the red zone and Clemson's defense stood up again. Austin Bryant blew up a 3rd and 14 screen pass before A&M attempted their second field goal of the game. LaCamera's second attempt was true giving the Aggies the opening points and a 3-0 lead with 4:28 left in the 1st quarter.
Clemson's offense continued to dial up the screen game, but moments later Amari Rodgers brought in a 64-yard pickup on 3rd and 13 putting the Tigers inside the red zone. Travis Etienne converted on a 3rd down screen and Bryant capped the drive with a nice run giving Clemson a 7-3 lead.
On A&M's next drive, the Tiger defense put the Aggies in reverse before forcing a punt and allowing the offense another crack at the scoreboard.
Enter, Trevor Lawrence.
The true freshman took his first snap in front of 104,000 fans and dropped a dime to Tee Higgins. Higgins made an acrobatic grab, then raced 64-yards to the house extending Clemson's lead to 14-3.
An exchange of punts between the two teams pinned Texas A&M inside the 10-yard line with 11:41 remaining in the 2nd quarter. The Tigers defense forced another three and out, but a 69-yard punt flipped the field giving Clemson their fifth drive of the game.
The Tigers decided to stick with Lawrence and facing a 3rd and 1 deep in their own territory, Lawrence was stopped short forcing another Clemson punt with 8:21 left in the first half.
The Tigers would allow A&M to get into field goal range again, but Christian Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence blocked the kick keeping the score 14-3.
On Clemson's next drive Bryant came back into the game and delivered high on third down, but a roughing the passer call kept the drive alive. Two plays later, Travis Etienne hit on a 28-yard run giving the Tigers first and goal at the ten-yard line.
On 4th and goal at the one, Dabo Swinney decided to bring in the jumbo package, featuring Wilkins and Dexter Lawrence, but a bad snap thwarted a Tiger score, giving A&M the ball back deep in their own territory just before the half.
Leading 14-3, Clemson opened the third quarter with Lawrence back in at quarterback, but Falcinelli's issues at center showed up with an early snap that backed the Tigers up. Following a Clemson punt, the Aggies moved the ball into field goal range and capped the drive with a field goal cutting the lead to eight, 14-6.
Once again it was Lawrence for the Tigers, and on third and long, he faced pressure off the edge and delivered a dart to Hunter Renfrow, but Clemson's sure-handed wideout made the grab just short of the first down marker for the second consecutive three and out by the Tigers.
A&M took over at their own 40 with another opportunity to cut into the Tiger lead with just 9:04 left in the third quarter. On second down, Mond stood tall in the pocket and flipped the ball to an open man for a 17-yard gain.
Three plays later it was Mond again, but this time with his legs making Clemson pay, scrambling for a huge first down facing pressure. After the play, Mond dropped to the turf appearing to cramp up, leading Nick Starkleel to enter the contest.
On Starkel's first play, Clemson pressured and forced a turnover.
Bryant returned to the game hitting on a deep ball to Higgins for a 50-yard gain before hitting Diondre Overton on the 4th play of the drive for an 8-yard score, but the Aggies hit back quickly with a two play 78-yard drive to make it 21-13 Tigers with 4:22 left in the third quarter.
On Bryant's next throw he hit Renfrow for a 40-yard deep ball setting the Tigers up in Aggie territory. After a ten yard run by Bryant, two plays later he found Renfrow again for a first down inside the 10-yard line and Etienne eventually powered into the end zone giving Clemson a 28-13 lead.
After the game, Swinney said of his senior quarterback, “Kelly stepped up big for us. Showed the heart of a champion.”
A&M's next drive was aided by a pass interference call on Xavier Thomas, Clemson's freshmen defensive end, downfield in coverage. Then after a 17-yard screen pass to Trayveon Williams, Wilkins was flagged for roughing the passer after driving Mond into the turf putting the ball at the 14-yard line. Mond, on 2nd and 10, rolled the pocket, being pressured by Isaiah Simmons, lobbed a ball dangerously across the field, but Quartney Davis found the ball just above the turf for the score.
Up 28-20, with 14:04 remaining, Clemson took over and Bryant navigated the Tigers out to their own 40, but a 44-yard punt by Will Spiers gave the ball back to A&M at the 13-yard line.
Clemson's defense once again allowed Mond to lead a nice Aggie Drive, but facing a 3rd and 18 at Clemson's 48, Simmons broke up what looked to be a sure first down forcing an A&M punt.
Bryant's name was called again at quarterback and the senior quarterback broke into the open field for a 27-yard run, but the drive eventually stalled as the Aggie defense stiffened.
Trailing, 28-20 with 4:04 to play, Mond went back to work hitting on back-to-back deep balls, giving Texas A&M the ball at the Clemson 27 with 3:05 left. With 2:22 left, facing 3rd and 8, Mond hit Davis who dove for the pylon, but Clemson's Wallace knocked the ball free and the officials ruled it a touchback for Clemson.
After review, the call on the field stood and Jimbo Fisher let the officials know that he wasn't satisfied with the judgment.
The 12th Man cranked up their volume and forced Clemson to punt the ball, and a shanked punt from Spiers gave the A&M faithful hope from midfield.
Mond hit Kendrick Rogers for a 10 yard gain, then an interference penalty on Mark Fields put the Aggies at Clemson's 24-yard line. On the next play, Mond found Rogers, who made an incredible touchdown grab cutting it to 28-26.
On the ensuing two-point play, the Tiger defense stood firm and shut down the A&M attempt with just forty-six seconds left.
The Aggies onside kick was caught by Hunter Renfrow and Clemson was able to kneel out the clock to bring in their second win of the year.
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