K & # 39; Von Wallace Clemson takes nothing for granted in high season | Sports



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CLEMSON – K & # 39; Von Wallace is not proud of the performance he won against Texas A & M last season.

For the uninitiated, it may be difficult to pinpoint the frustration of Clemson's security. He recorded seven tackles, two missed passes and two forced fumbles in the Tigers' 28-26 win, in addition to intercepting the last-minute conversion attempt from Kellen Mond de Aggies.

But the numbers do not tell the full story. Wallace, as he said Monday, "left a lot of things" in College Station, Texas. The fact that the Aggies had the chance to tie the game late is actually a product of Wallace flapping, which would have been an interception ending the game from the previous game. The ball fell into the hands of wide receiver Texas A & M Kendrick Rogers for a touchdown.

Wallace said that he had no problem celebrating the victory. A victory is a victory. Nevertheless, he can not help but participate in the revenge of this weekend in Death Valley, believing that he has something to prove.

"It's a personal matter for me," he said. "And to redeem this game, it's me, personally, what I feel."

In Clemson's 15-0 campaign, the two-point victory over the Aggies represented the Tigers' slimmest margin of victory. It was also one of the few times that the team of coach Dabo Swinney was mastered by an opponent. Clemson totaled 413 yards on offense, compared to 501 for Texas A & M.

Mond scored for 430 yards and three touchdowns, including the 24-yard touchdown against Rogers with 46 seconds left to bounce off Wallace's hands. It was not Wallace's only regret for the contest.

"I almost had four interceptions," he said afterwards. "If you go back to see the movie, I almost had four interceptions – I dropped each of them.

"Before and after the workout, I do the whole day at the JUGS machine, it happens all the same, God gives all the people he loves challenges, so I feel like I'm working harder. more blessings would come to me. "

Things seem to be going in the direction of Wallace now. He is a veteran Clemson defense leader with only four returning starters and is about to receive his undergraduate degree in December.

And the native of Richmond, Virginia, takes nothing for granted.

"I have a lot of people at home who respect me," he said. "I have a lot of family that relies on me to succeed, not just on the field, but also on the field."

This season is Wallace's last year of eligibility, which means he will likely declare himself for the NFL 2020 draft and will attempt to win a professional contract and provide for his family.

First, he must help lead a Clemson defense that some outsiders consider less powerful than the attack strewn with Tigers stars. Defensive coordinator Brent Venables, for what it's worth, was delighted with the behavior of his unit.

"(It's) more fun to deal with guys with a selfless attitude," said Venables. "It's something very, very noticeable with this group of guys."

For Wallace, altruism is a constant approach. On Monday, he was reluctant to call on Texas A & M offensive lineman Jared Hocker, who said "there will be a surprise" this weekend.

"All we can do is focus on what we control, and it works well," said Wallace. "It's all we can do."

Follow Joshua Needelman on Twitter @joshneedelman.

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