Facing their perceived biggest challenge of the regular season, the Clemson Tigers breezed past the No. 12 Texas A&M Aggies by a score of 24 to 10. While Texas A&M kept the game within reach through all four quarters, the Tigers were in control from start to finish.
If there were any questions about Trevor Lawrence having a sophomore slump after a less than stellar opener against Georgia Tech, he answered them in a big way on Saturday afternoon. Lawrence finished the day with 268 yards on 24-35 passing and two total touchdowns. In his short career, Lawrence has shown time and time again that he plays his best game against the best opponents. When the spotlight is shining brightest, Lawrence orchestrates the offense with confidence and expertise. Saturday afternoon was no exception.
The first quarter went as many first quarters do when two powerhouse teams stack up with one another. The teams eased into the game with short gains and conservative plays. Clemson had a chance to get on the board early, but after converting a 51-yard field goal a week ago, BT Potter couldn’t put it through from 47 yards out.
The first score of the game came off the foot of Texas A&M kicker Seth Small. After converting on third down three times, the Aggies found their way into the red zone and scored the game’s first points. After aggressive play calling all the way down the field, Aggies Head Coach Jimbo Fisher opted to run the ball on third and ten from the Clemson fifteen yard line. The Clemson defense stuffed running back Jashuan Corbin at the line of scrimmage and the Aggies settled for three points. While A&M took an early lead, missing their chance to make a statement on the road in one of the nation’s most electric stadiums proved costly.
After holding Texas A&M to a field goal, the Clemson offense proceeded to march down the field en route to the game’s first touchdown. Aftering being held to short gains throughout much of the first quarter, Clemson had their first break through on a screen pass to Travis Etienne. Etienne caught the ball behind a wall of blockers and weaved his way across midfield for a 27 yard gain. Five plays later, Lawrence was flushed from the pocket after escaping the pass rush. Rolling to his left, Lawrence flipped a thirty yard pass to a wide open Justyn Ross. The score was the second passing touchdown of the season for Lawrence and the first receiving touchdown for Ross.
After allowing the Aggies to get on the board, the Clemson defense was stout throughout the remainder of the second quarter. A forced fumble by Nolan Turner on a scramble by Aggies quarterback Kellen Mond gave the Tigers the ball near midfield. Soon after, Potter added a chip shot field goal to give the Tigers a 10-3 lead.
After being helped off the field with a leg injury early in the first half, Xavier Thomas returned in a big way for the Tigers on the ensuing drive. Thomas and cornerback AJ Terrell teamed up to take down Mond on a big third down play, forcing the Aggies to punt again. With momentum on their side, the Tigers took the ball and rolled over the A&M defense to end the second half. The play of the drive came when Lawrence unleashed a bullet in the direction of Tee Higgins. With defenders converging around him, Higgins reached back and snatched the ball at the two yard line. Two plays later, Lawrence barrelled into the endzone on a quarterback keeper to give the Tigers a commanding 17-3 lead.
Down two scores, the Aggies needed to come out in the second half firing. Unfortunately for A&M, the Tiger defense was ready for the challenge. The Aggies couldn’t put anything together, failing to move the ball more than thirty yards on any drive in the third quarter. Throughout the entire game, the Clemson defense was torching the Aggie offense with defensive backs blitzing the quarterback. K’Von Wallace, Nolan Turner, and AJ Terrell were making Mond uncomfortable all game long, often laying some big hits on the junior quarterback.
While the Aggies offense stalled, the Tigers added on to their lead after Lyn-J Dixon capped off a seven play, 83-yard drive with a touchdown run. With time winding down in the third quarter, the Tigers led 24-7. When Texas A&M finally began to move the ball to start the fourth quarter, Tanner Muse delivered the dagger for the Tigers. Under pressure from Wallace, Mond lobbed a pass with no clear direction. Muse corralled the ball at the one yard line and the Aggies’ best scoring chance of the day was squandered.
Despite throwing an interception and allowing a garbage time touchdown, the Tigers held on for a decisive 24-10 victory. With the win, the Tigers improved to 2-0 while the Aggies fell to 1-1. Clemson will be back in action next Saturday at 7:30 p.m. when they take on the Syracuse Orange on the road.
