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STATION COLLEGE – Immediately after watching Clemson's playoff win, some Texas A & M players made sure to keep some of their knowledge.
Although Clemson dominated Alabama 44-16, A & M played against the Tigers in a 28-26 loss to Kyle Field. Junior quarterback Kellen Mond and his receivers created a group text to remember digitally what the 2019 season could bring.
"It was an important motivator," Mond said. "We saw how we played against them, a two-point game and we saw only all the opportunities we left on the pitch. Seeing where we are and all the opportunities we had, we felt we could have beaten them. "
Now, the Aggies have a rematch Saturday in Clemson's Death Valley, and Mond is the key to success if A & M can freeze as an outsider with 17.5 points.
A year ago, Mond played his first game against the Tigers, scoring 430 yards in a tight defeat. Even though it was not a stable trajectory – Mond was almost up but bounced back to a win over Ole Miss – he's a much better quarterback than 12 months ago.
"We will not see anyone better than him all year long," said Brent Venables, coordinator of defenses for Clemson, on Monday.
The difference in Mond was underscored by a 40-yard dart to Jhamon Ausbon in the opening quarter of an inaugural win over Texas State. It may be the best shot of Mond's A & M career.
His teammates shrugged, claiming that they had seen similar players on several occasions at the training.
"He's doing a lot of good games," said Ausbon.
A native of San Antonio, who played his final season in high school at Florida's IMG Academy, Mond was the third quarter of the country at double threat in the 247Sports composite.
In his debut as a rookie in 2017, Mond had to replace injured Nick Starkel against UCLA, who had managed to defeat a 34-point deficit.
He has made great progress since then, winning the competition with Starkel before last season. He scored 3,107 yards and 24 touchdowns while tackling 474 yards and seven touchdowns, which earned him the victory in A & M's seven-overtime win over LSU.
Mond was not perfect with nine interceptions and a 57.3 completion percentage.
"Kellen has worked a lot this season," said receiver Kendrick Rogers. "He is constantly perfecting things."
Relaxed by nature, Mond took a step forward vocally. On SEC media days, he called himself "best" of the nine quarters present in Hoover, Ala.
"And it's not just because I'm a confident person," said Mond to reporters, "but I really believe it.I have the impression that my teammates believe in me too. And coach [Jimbo] Fisher does. "
Mond has also adapted to Fisher's resolute approach to coaching shifts. He has already shown a better percentage of achievement, rising from 19 to 27 at the opening of the season against Texas State.
"With more knowledge of the game, I'll just be more precise, more decisive and more confident in my shots," said Mond. "Sometimes I had ups and downs last year, but I feel like more studies on the movies and more knowledge about the offense – which I feel I have have come a long way – come with more precision.
Receiver Camron Buckley noticed a difference at Mond as vocal leader.
"This year we all had a team meeting, and he stepped in and let us know that this year will be different," said Buckley, remembering Mond's address. "We will all participate. -In, and if you do not buy, we do not need you here because we want to do something special here in Texas A & M.
"After that, you must respect him for saying that because he is our quarter, he is our leader and we will follow him wherever he goes."
Texas State coach Jake Spavital, who initially recruited Mond as an A & M assistant, combines the same set of intriguing skills with growth.
"He's a handsome kid watching," said Spavital. "He is wearing with a lot of confidence. You see how he manages the game. He's not afraid to sit there and hold the ball and try his luck if it's necessary for a big game, but he also has that unique ability to play with the feet. "
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