College Football Week Two Takeaways: Clemson endures haymakers

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COLLEGE STATION, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Travis Etienne #9 of the Clemson Tigers scores on a 1 yard run in the third quarter as he beats Donovan Wilson #6 of the Texas A&M Aggies to the endzone at Kyle Field on September 8, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

#2 Clemson holds on against the Aggies

An ACC-SEC matchup that didn’t appear close on paper, turned out to be a possible Game of the Year candidate.

The Clemson Tigers narrowly dodged a major upset by the Jimbo Fisher-led Texas A&M Aggies this past Saturday, 28-26. A failed two-point conversion with under a minute to play by the Aggies secured what was a tougher win than most anticipated for the defending ACC champion Tigers. For four quarters, the Tigers had to fend off a pesky Aggies offense that made critical plays at

COLLEGE STATION, TX – SEPTEMBER 08: Kendrick Rogers #13 of the Texas A&M Aggies catches a 9 yard pass for a touchdown over K’Von Wallace #12 of the Clemson Tigers at Kyle Field on September 8, 2018 in College Station, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

critical junctures of the game. Sophomore quarterback Kellen Mond was very impressive against an athletic and physical defense as he tossed for 430 yards and three touchdowns and more importantly, no turnovers. We may not see it this year, but Fisher will have the Texas A&M program on an elevated level among the elite in due time.

The Clemson Tigers showed plenty of resilience in this one and boy did it pay off. That is a trait that the program has developed over the years with close wins over Auburn, Notre Dame, and Alabama. Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant was a dual-threat weapon for Clemson that was tough for A&M to defend and a playmaker emerged at wideout in Tee Higgins. Clemson is dangerous and wins such as this displays a tough moxie.

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