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Mond, Small lead No. 22 Texas A&M to 26-23 win vs. Gamecocks
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) Tight end Jace Sternberger knew plenty of people were waiting for No. 22 Texas A&M to fall apart after its surprisingly strong start.
The Aggies showed Saturday they're not going away any time soon.
Sternberger had seven catches for 145 yards, Kellen Mond threw for 353 yards and Seth Small had four field goals as Texas A&M held off South Carolina 26-23.
Sternberger had heard too many comparisons with past Aggies teams who opened strong, then faded as the Southeastern Conference season wore on.
''We put a lot of pressure on ourselves this week,'' he said. ''We knew everybody was waiting to see how we were going to respond.''
The Aggies answered with a winning final quarter after squandering a 16-0 second-half lead.
''We were going to get over that hump and we were able to show that today,'' he said.
There are several more tests ahead for Texas A&M (5-2, 3-1), including road games with Mississippi State and Auburn and closing the regular season against LSU.
For now, though, the Aggies displayed the grit and resolve essential to succeed in the SEC.
''We've got some guys with heart and toughness, I can you that,'' first year Texas A&M coach Jimbo Fisher said.
The Aggies won their third straight this season and moved to 5-0 against the Gamecocks (3-3, 2-3) since joining the league in 2012.
Mond also had a 4-yard touchdown pass to Sternberger in the second quarter and, when Small hit a 32-yard field goal on the Aggies' first drive of the second half to go up 16-0, it looked like more than enough to put away the Gamecocks, who managed just 102 yards of offense the first 30 minutes.
That's when Jake Bentley, returning after missing last week's win over Missouri with a knee injury, led a pair of third-quarter TD drives - and the two-point conversions both times.
Bentley had a 22-yard scoring pass to Shi Smith to start the comeback, then hit Chavis Dawkins for a 33-yard touchdown throw off a flea flicker.
Bryan Edwards caught both two-point tries, stretching second across the line before falling out of bounds to tie the game.
Texas A&M responded with the winning drive next time out, moving 45 yards to set Small up for a 39-yard field goal with 9:16 left.
The Aggies sealed things with Trayveon William's 3-yard scoring run with 1:36 left.
South Carolina got a final TD pass from Bentley to Samuel with 48 seconds to go, but could not execute an onside kick attempt. Texas A&M ran out the clock.
Mond got the Aggies going when he found his big tight end Sternberger. The 6-foot-4, 250-pound junior had a 53-yard reception where he dragged safety Steven Montac (some 65 pounds lighter) about 25 yards inside the South Carolina 10.
Asked if he'd ever carried a player that far, Sternberger joked, ''Just my little brother.''
Small opened Texas A&M's scoring with a 52-yard field goal, the freshman tying his career long kick.
South Carolina struggled with Bentley back behind center in the opening half. The junior, talked about at times this season as an NFL prospect, was 6 of 17 passing the first 30 minutes for 46 yards. He had an awful interception in the end zone to kill off the Gamecocks best scoring chance of the half.
''We didn't take advantage of opportunities,'' South Carolina coach Will Muschamp said.
Mond was 25 of 37 passing. His 353 yards was the second most of his career after throwing for 430 yards in a 28-26 loss to No. 4 Clemson last month.
THE TAKEAWAY
TEXAS A&M: The Aggies have found ways to hang in games and overcome opponents at the end. It happened a week ago in a 20-14 overtime victory against previously undefeated Kentucky. And they did it against the Gamecocks when momentum had switched in South Carolina's favor.
SOUTH CAROLINA: The Gamecocks played another in a series of terrible first halves. Bentley had only nine yards passing two weeks ago at Kentucky the first two quarters and South Carolina trailed 23-14 at the break against Missouri before rallying. The Gamecocks must figure out a way to start faster or risk more such defeats this season.
TOUGH PUNTER
Texas A&M punter Braden Mann, who led the Football Bowl Subdivision with a gross average of 54.9 yards coming in, had a long of 67 yards against the Gamecocks. He also caused a fumble with a hit on South Carolina returner Bryan Edwards. ''He can sell popcorn, too,'' Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher said.
TARGETING
Two members of Texas A&M's secondary were ejected for targeting. Cornerback Debione Renfro was ejected in the first quarter while safety Donovon Wilson was thrown out in the final period. Fisher said he'll continue strongly reminding his players the right way to tackle.
UP NEXT
Texas A&M is off next week and plays at Mississippi State on Oct. 27.
South Carolina is off next week and returns to play Tennessee at home on Oct. 27.
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Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 25 | 19 |
Rushing | 9 | 6 |
Passing | 15 | 8 |
Penalty | 1 | 5 |
3rd Down Conv | 3-13 | 2-9 |
4th Down Conv | 0-0 | 1-1 |
Total Net Yards | 448 | 289 |
Total Plays | 77 | 53 |
Avg Gain | 5.8 | 5.5 |
Net Yards Rushing | 105 | 76 |
Rush Attempts | 40 | 18 |
Avg Rush Yards | 2.6 | 4.2 |
Yards Passing | 353 | 223 |
Comp. - Att. | 25-37 | 17-35 |
Yards Per Pass | 9.3 | 6.1 |
Penalties - Yards | 12-117 | 4-39 |
Touchdowns | 2 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 1 | 0 |
Passing TDs | 1 | 3 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 1-1 |
Int. Thrown | 0 | 1 |
Punts - Avg | 4-52.3 | 6-50.7 |
Return Yards | 63 | 66 |
Punts - Returns | 2-15 | 2-34 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 2-48 | 2-32 |
Int. - Returns | 1-0 | 0-0 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
|
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
K. MondÂ
11 QB
|
K. Mond | 25/37 | 353 | 1 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
T. WilliamsÂ
5 RB
|
T. Williams | 19 | 78 | 1 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||
K. MondÂ
11 QB
|
K. Mond | 13 | 25 | 0 | 15 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. CorbinÂ
7 RB
|
J. Corbin | 5 | 21 | 0 | 9 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. SternbergerÂ
81 TE
|
J. Sternberger | 0 | 7 | 145 | 1 | 53 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Q. DavisÂ
1 WR
|
Q. Davis | 0 | 9 | 127 | 0 | 30 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. BuckleyÂ
14 WR
|
C. Buckley | 0 | 3 | 44 | 0 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. JonesÂ
9 WR
|
H. Jones | 0 | 3 | 24 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. CorbinÂ
7 RB
|
J. Corbin | 0 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. WilliamsÂ
5 RB
|
T. Williams | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. GillaspiaÂ
12 FB
|
C. Gillaspia | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
S. SmallÂ
47 K
|
S. Small | 4/5 | 39 | 2/2 | 14 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
B. MannÂ
34 P
|
B. Mann | 4 | 52.3 | 1 | 67 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
R. Paul 6 WR
|
R. Paul | 2 | 7.5 | 15 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
J. BentleyÂ
19 QB
|
J. Bentley | 17/35 | 223 | 3 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
T. WilliamsÂ
27 RB
|
T. Williams | 7 | 48 | 0 | 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. DowdleÂ
5 RB
|
R. Dowdle | 7 | 19 | 0 | 5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. BentleyÂ
19 QB
|
J. Bentley | 4 | 9 | 0 | 9 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
D. SamuelÂ
1 WR
|
D. Samuel | 0 | 7 | 88 | 1 | 32 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. SmithÂ
13 WR
|
S. Smith | 0 | 3 | 51 | 1 | 22 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
B. EdwardsÂ
89 WR
|
B. Edwards | 0 | 4 | 42 | 0 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
C. DawkinsÂ
83 WR
|
C. Dawkins | 0 | 1 | 33 | 1 | 33 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. AugustÂ
40 TE
|
J. August | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
K. PollardÂ
87 TE
|
K. Pollard | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. VannÂ
6 WR
|
J. Vann | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
R. DowdleÂ
5 RB
|
R. Dowdle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
B. JohnsonÂ
19 DL
|
B. Johnson | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. SterlingÂ
15 DL
|
A. Sterling | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. HinsonÂ
15 TE
|
E. Hinson | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
P. WhiteÂ
43 K
|
P. White | 0/0 | 0 | 1/1 | 1 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
J. CharltonÂ
20 P
|
J. Charlton | 6 | 50.7 | 3 | 61 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. SamuelÂ
1 WR
|
D. Samuel | 2 | 16.0 | 20 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
B. Edwards 89 WR
|
B. Edwards | 2 | 17.0 | 31 | 0 |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) 34-B.Mann kicks 65 yards from TXAM 35 to SC End Zone. touchback. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - SC 25 (15:00 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 89-B.Edwards. |
+26 YD | 2 & 10 - SC 25 (15:00 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley complete to 89-B.Edwards. 89-B.Edwards to TXAM 49 for 26 yards. |
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 49 (14:57 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley complete to 1-D.Samuel. 1-D.Samuel to TXAM 48 for 1 yard. |
+1 YD | 2 & 9 - TXAM 48 (14:40 - 1st) 5-R.Dowdle to TXAM 47 for 1 yard. |
No Gain | 3 & 8 - TXAM 47 (14:12 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 5-R.Dowdle. |
Punt | 4 & 8 - TXAM 47 (13:44 - 1st) 20-J.Charlton punts 30 yards from TXAM 47 to TXAM 17 fair catch by 6-R.Paul. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 17 (13:38 - 1st) 11-K.Mond complete to 7-J.Corbin. 7-J.Corbin to TXAM 20 for 3 yards. |
+8 YD | 2 & 7 - TXAM 20 (13:32 - 1st) 11-K.Mond complete to 1-Q.Davis. 1-Q.Davis to TXAM 28 for 8 yards. |
+1 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 28 (12:55 - 1st) 11-K.Mond to TXAM 29 for 1 yard. |
+4 YD | 2 & 9 - TXAM 29 (12:15 - 1st) 11-K.Mond complete to 5-T.Williams. 5-T.Williams to TXAM 33 for 4 yards. |
No Gain | 3 & 5 - TXAM 33 (11:38 - 1st) 11-K.Mond incomplete. Intended for 1-Q.Davis. |
Punt | 4 & 5 - TXAM 33 (10:52 - 1st) 34-B.Mann punts 67 yards from TXAM 33 to SC End Zone. touchback. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - SC 20 (10:47 - 1st) 5-R.Dowdle to SC 23 for 3 yards. |
+2 YD | 2 & 7 - SC 23 (10:39 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley complete to 89-B.Edwards. 89-B.Edwards to SC 25 for 2 yards. |
No Gain | 3 & 5 - SC 25 (10:21 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 89-B.Edwards. |
Punt | 4 & 5 - SC 25 (9:55 - 1st) 20-J.Charlton punts 50 yards from SC 25 to TXAM 25 fair catch by 6-R.Paul. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 25 (9:50 - 1st) 5-T.Williams to TXAM 30 for 5 yards. |
+6 YD | 2 & 6 - TXAM 30 (9:42 - 1st) 11-K.Mond complete to 7-J.Corbin. 7-J.Corbin to TXAM 36 for 6 yards. |
-1 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 36 (9:03 - 1st) 5-T.Williams to TXAM 35 for -1 yard. |
No Gain | 2 & 11 - TXAM 35 (8:26 - 1st) 11-K.Mond incomplete. |
Sack | 3 & 11 - TXAM 35 (7:47 - 1st) 11-K.Mond sacked at TXAM 25 for -10 yards (15-E.Hinson). |
Punt | 4 & 21 - TXAM 25 (7:38 - 1st) 34-B.Mann punts 50 yards from TXAM 25. 89-B.Edwards to SC 28 for 3 yards. Penalty on TXAM 34-B.Mann Personal Foul 15 yards enforced at SC 28. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+14 YD | 1 & 10 - SC 43 (7:02 - 1st) 27-T.Williams to TXAM 43 for 14 yards. |
+27 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 43 (6:47 - 1st) 27-T.Williams to TXAM 16 for 27 yards. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - TXAM 16 (6:15 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 89-B.Edwards. |
Penalty | 2 & 10 - TXAM 16 (5:58 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 1-D.Samuel. Penalty on TXAM 29-D.Renfro Personal Foul 8 yards enforced at TXAM 16. No Play. |
+3 YD | 2 & 2 - TXAM 8 (5:56 - 1st) 27-T.Williams to TXAM 5 for 3 yards. |
No Gain | 1 & 5 - TXAM 5 (5:20 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 6-J.Vann. |
Int | 2 & 5 - TXAM 5 (5:15 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 6-J.Vann INTERCEPTED by 21-C.Oliver at TXAM End Zone. 21-C.Oliver touchback. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Int | 3 & 5 - TXAM 5 (5:20 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 6-J.Vann INTERCEPTED by 21-C.Oliver at TXAM End Zone. 21-C.Oliver touchback. |
+22 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 20 (5:15 - 1st) 11-K.Mond complete to 14-C.Buckley. 14-C.Buckley to TXAM 42 for 22 yards. |
+7 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 42 (5:09 - 1st) 11-K.Mond complete to 1-Q.Davis. 1-Q.Davis pushed ob at TXAM 49 for 7 yards. |
+3 YD | 2 & 3 - TXAM 49 (4:32 - 1st) 5-T.Williams to SC 48 for 3 yards. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - SC 48 (3:53 - 1st) 5-T.Williams to SC 46 for 2 yards. |
No Gain | 2 & 8 - SC 46 (3:11 - 1st) 11-K.Mond incomplete. Intended for 1-Q.Davis. |
+9 YD | 3 & 8 - SC 46 (2:31 - 1st) 11-K.Mond scrambles to SC 37 for 9 yards. |
+2 YD | 1 & 10 - SC 37 (2:25 - 1st) 7-J.Corbin to SC 35 for 2 yards. |
No Gain | 2 & 8 - SC 35 (1:46 - 1st) 11-K.Mond incomplete. Intended for 9-H.Jones. |
Field Goal | 4 & 8 - SC 35 (1:03 - 1st) 47-S.Small 52 yards Field Goal is Good. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (0:45 - 1st) 34-B.Mann kicks 65 yards from TXAM 35 to SC End Zone. touchback. |
Kickoff | (0:45 - 1st) 34-B.Mann kicks 65 yards from TXAM 35 to SC End Zone. touchback. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - SC 25 (0:31 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 1-D.Samuel. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - SC 25 (0:31 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 1-D.Samuel. |
+3 YD | 3 & 4 - SC 31 (0:24 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley complete to 87-K.Pollard. 87-K.Pollard to SC 34 for 3 yards. |
+3 YD | 3 & 4 - SC 31 (0:24 - 1st) 19-J.Bentley complete to 87-K.Pollard. 87-K.Pollard to SC 34 for 3 yards. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Punt | 4 & 1 - SC 34 (15:00 - 2nd) 20-J.Charlton punts 54 yards from SC 34 to TXAM 12 fair catch by 6-R.Paul. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 12 (14:30 - 2nd) 11-K.Mond to TXAM 17 for 5 yards. |
-5 YD | 2 & 5 - TXAM 17 (14:11 - 2nd) 11-K.Mond to TXAM 12 for -5 yards. |
+9 YD | 3 & 10 - TXAM 12 (13:30 - 2nd) 11-K.Mond complete to 1-Q.Davis. 1-Q.Davis to TXAM 21 for 9 yards. |
+29 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 42 (12:08 - 2nd) 11-K.Mond complete to 81-J.Sternberger. 81-J.Sternberger to SC 29 for 29 yards. |
+29 YD | 1 & 10 - TXAM 42 (12:08 - 2nd) 11-K.Mond complete to 81-J.Sternberger. 81-J.Sternberger to SC 29 for 29 yards. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - SC 29 (11:47 - 2nd) 11-K.Mond incomplete. |
+3 YD | 3 & 8 - SC 27 (11:10 - 2nd) 11-K.Mond scrambles to SC 24 for 3 yards. |
+3 YD | 3 & 8 - SC 27 (11:10 - 2nd) 11-K.Mond scrambles to SC 24 for 3 yards. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - SC 25 (9:45 - 2nd) 5-R.Dowdle to SC 29 for 4 yards. |
+5 YD | 2 & 6 - SC 29 (9:42 - 2nd) 5-R.Dowdle to SC 34 for 5 yards. |
+2 YD | 3 & 1 - SC 34 (9:13 - 2nd) 19-J.Bentley to SC 36 for 2 yards. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - SC 36 (8:56 - 2nd) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 89-B.Edwards. |
Penalty | 2 & 10 - SC 36 (8:29 - 2nd) Penalty on SC 50-S.Hutcherson False start 5 yards enforced at SC 36. No Play. |
-3 YD | 2 & 15 - SC 31 (8:21 - 2nd) 27-T.Williams to SC 28 for -3 yards. |
No Gain | 3 & 18 - SC 28 (8:21 - 2nd) 19-J.Bentley incomplete. Intended for 13-S.Smith. |
Punt | 4 & 18 - SC 28 (8:10 - 2nd) 20-J.Charlton punts 61 yards from SC 28. 6-R.Paul to TXAM 11 for no gain. Penalty on TXAM 28-T.Fuller Illegal block in the back 5 yards enforced at TXAM 11. |