Keys to the Game | A&M at Clemson - Texas A&M Athletics

Dealing with Etienne

The Clemson ground attack features one of the nation's best in Travis Etienne. The junior rushed for nearly 1,700 yards in 2018 and started his 2019 campaign in a big way last week with a career-best 205 rushing yards and three touchdowns in the victory over Georgia Tech. Texas A&M limited Etienne to 43 yards on eight carries in last year's meeting in College Station. Can the A&M defense put together a repeat performance against Etienne in 2019?

Coach Fisher Quote: "Etienne, he's a very, very talented running back. He's big, he's strong. He's direct. Fast. Can run with speed, power. Catches the ball."

More Physicality in the Rushing Attack

Texas A&M ran the ball effectively in week one against Texas State, totaling 246 rushing yards with a pair of scores on the ground. Both Isaiah Spiller and Jashaun Corbin went over 100 yards in the win, and the Aggies averaged over six yards per carry in the contest. The test will be greater on Saturday in Death Valley. The Tigers limited Georgia Tech to 157 rushing yards on 45 attempts last week. The Aggies managed just 71 rushing yards on 32 attempts in last year's 28-26 loss. Mond's 430 passing yards against the Tigers was great, but a balanced attack may be needed to grab a win in Death Valley.

Coach Fisher Quote: "Two things, keep their offense off the field and to keep those D-linemen from pinning their ears back, because you become one dimensional against a team that's that talented, against their defense, you get eaten alive. I mean, you have to have balance. You have to have physicality."

Continued Strong Play from the Secondary

The A&M secondary made a statement with four interceptions in the 41-7 victory over Texas State. Myles Jones led the way with two picks, while both Roney Elam and Leon O'Neal Jr. added picks on the night. How will this group fare against the Clemson passing attack led by quarterback Trevor Lawrence and wide receiver Tee Higgins? Lawrence struggled at times in week one, finishing 12-for-22 for 148 yards with a touchdown and two interceptions, but the Aggies know what he's capable of. Higgins, who went for 98 yards and a score last week, totaled 123 yards last year against the Aggies, including a 64-yard touchdown reception.

Coach Fisher Quote: "They're so challenging, because some teams have one dominant wideout where he's just so explosive. They've got 3, 4, 5 of those guys, their backs are the same way. So, it's an extremely tough challenge. It's gonna be a big burden on, everybody says our secondary, but your defense. It's your front, it's your linebackers, because at different times when you do different things there's gonna be pressure put on different guys within your defense."

Mond's Continued Success Against Top 25 Teams

Kellen Mond threw for 1,139 yards and 12 touchdowns against AP Top 25 teams in 2018. Those numbers trailed only Tua Tagovailoa of Alabama. Mond will get plenty of opportunities against top-25 teams again in 2019 starting on Saturday. Mond's career-high in passing yards came against Clemson last season, when he threw for 430 yards and three touchdowns. A hostile environment awaits. Can Mond lead the way to a signature win on the road?

Kellen Mond Quote: "I felt really comfortable (in the Texas State game) and felt like I was seeing everything on the field. It's a new week, and it takes another week of film study. I feel like if I put in the same week of preparation as Texas State, I should be good."

A&M O-Line vs. Clemson D-Line

Mond has plenty of weapons to target if he has time in the pocket. Can the A&M offensive line keep a dangerous Clemson defensive line at bay? Yes, the Tigers lost several key pass rushers to the NFL following the 2018 season, but the 2019 group will still be a force. Clemson finished with four sacks in week one, plus eight tackles for loss, a fumble forced and two interceptions.

Coach Fisher Quote: "Defensively, they really lost a lot of D linemen, but the same time it looks like just the same bodies in different numbers. I mean, guys running around making plays. They were dominant up front. They can rush the passer, they can play the run."

Schedule