The concept of having a balanced offense is to take pressure of the quarterback, and No. 17 Texas A&M’s Kellen Mond didn’t have the luxury in the 28-20 loss to the No. 8 Auburn Tigers at Kyle Field.
The Tigers limited the Aggies to 56 yards on 21 carries for 2.7 yards per rush. Mond had to mount the failed comeback with his arm, completing 31-of-49 for 335 yards, and two touchdowns. Mond didn’t feel the game was all on his shoulders though.
“I feel like, you know, we always have a good balance,” Mond told reporters. “But, you know, we got to find a way to get that running game going and still we can be more consistent on — in the passing game.”
While Aggies coach Jimbo Fisher acknowledges that there were some plays Mond could have performed better, he overall was impressed with his resolve in the face of adversity.
“He kept battling,” Fisher said. “He kept us in there and found a way for us to do it. That’s one of the things Kellen can do with his legs and his arms. I’m very proud of the way he competes. The guy competes his tail off.”
Even though it would be beneficial for Kellen Mond, he wants the running game to be fired up, not just to save his own skin, but for the good of the team.
“Just as a whole, offense, we got to figure it out,” Mond said. “And we’re not pointing any fingers ever. We’re a collective unit. Me and Coach [Jimbo] Fisher, [offensive coordinator] (Darrell) Dickey, and the coaches we got to find out what’s going to be best for us.”
The Aggies will have a chance to get the run game going as they take on the Arkansas Razorbacks next Saturday at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, for the Southwest Classic. Both squads are looking for their first Southeastern Conference win after falling 0-1 in their conference openers.