Watson, Tigers rout Wofford
By: will-vandervort September 5, 2015

For those wondering how Deshaun Watson might look in 12th-ranked Clemson’s season-opener versus Wofford on Saturday, he is fine.

The sophomore return to Death Valley and threw for 194 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Tigers to a 49-10 victory over the Terriers.

Watson completed 18 of 22 passes and rushed for 22 yards as he was 5-for-5 in leading Clemson to touchdowns. He opened the game by completing his first 10 passes, including a four-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams, who injured his neck after running into the goal post.

Williams left the game on a stretcher and went to the Oconee County hospital in Seneca, but by the end of the game he was up and walking around. He was still in the hospital for test when the game ended. He had an MRI, but TCI was told it came back negative for any damage.

Clemson finished the game with 534 total yards. Wayne Gallman led all running backs with 92 yards and two touchdowns, while Tyshon Dye also scored twice. Zac Brooks had a 25-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

The Tigers rushed for 222 yards overall on 43 carries.

Eleven players caught at least one pass with freshman Ray Ray McLoud leading the team with eight catches for 80 yards, while Artavis Scott hauled in six passes including a 35-yard catch-and-run from Watson in the second quarter. That gave the Tigers a 21-0 lead at the time.

Clemson’s defense also did its part. The Terriers were held without a first down and less than 30 total yards on their first six possessions of the game. They did not pick up a first down until the 1:55 mark of the second quarter.

Overall, the Terriers triple-option attack was stuffed for 123 yards. They averaged 297 yards a game on the ground last season. Wofford had 213 total yards.

 

Kelly Bryant enters the game and runs for 14 yards, throws a four-yard pass and then hands it off to Tyshon Dye for a 1-yard touchdown. It was Dye’s second touchdown of the day.

Clemson’s leads Wofford 49-10 with 7:46 to play.

It appears Deshaun Watson’s day is complete. The Clemson quarterback led the Tigers on a 56-yard scoring drive on the Tigers’ opening drive of the third quarter. Watson finishes his day 18 of 22 for 194 yards and two touchdowns.

Look who is Deshaun Watson’s biggest fan.

Clemson leads 42-10 at the end of the third quarter.

Wofford and Clemson traded scores to open up the second half of play. The Terriers got a David Marvin 37-yard field goal, while Clemson running back Wayne Gallman capped a 9-play, 56-yard drive with a one-yard plunge to increase the lead to 42-10.

It was a big first half for Clemson wide receiver Artavis Scott.

As for injury updates, Clemson center Ryan Norton has a knee injury and will not return. Mike Williams continues to undergo tests at the hospital in Seneca. He is standing and has full use of extremities. Tests will continue today.

Here is Gallman’s touchdown run in case you missed it.

Thanks to a muffed punt from Hunter Renfro, Wofford was able to score on the final play of the first half when Chase Nelson capped a nine-play, 53-yard drive.

It appeared the Tigers got the stop on third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, but the Terriers were able to get a time out called before the half ended.

Up until that drive, Wofford had not picked up a first down and had less than 30 yards of total offense on its first six possessions.

Clemson totaled 367 yards in the opening half, while the Terriers had 85.

Clemson's defense held Wofford to 85 total yards in the first half. The Terriers had just 24 yards on the first five possessions.

Clemson’s defense held Wofford to 85 total yards in the first half. The Terriers had just 24 yards on the first five possessions.

Clemson takes a 35-0 lead on a 25-yard touchdown run by Zac Brooks with 5:16 to play in the first half. Brooks’ touchdown capped a 7-play, 65-yard scoring drive. The Tigers now have 367 total yards.

Wofford has 24 yards on five possessions with no first downs and is 0-for-5 on third down conversions.

Clemson has 302 yard and Wofford has 18 as the Tigers are rolling to a 28-0 lead in the second quarter. Tyshon Dye scored on a 1-yard run with 9:58 to play in the second quarter for the fourth touchdown. Following a 16-yard punt return by Artavis Scott, the Tigers needed five plays and 42 yards to get into the end zone.

Scott made that play look easy as it took the screen and followed his blocks for a 35-yard touchdown, giving Clemson a 21-0 lead with 13:49 to play in the first quarter. That touchdown capped an 88-yard drive that took seven plays and 1:19 off the clock.

It was a good first quarter for Clemson. The Tigers lead 14-0 at the end of one quarter. The Tigers tallied 162 total yards, while holding Wofford to 15.

Deshaun Watson was 11 of 13 for 76 yards in the opening quarter, including a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams. He completed his first 10 passes in the game.

The Clemson defense was impressive, too. They forced three three-and-outs to open the game. Wofford had no first downs.

Here some notes on Mitch Hyatt’s start at left tackle today.

•He is first Clemson true freshman to start the first game of the season at offensive tackle since Phil Prince started the opener against Presbyterian in 1944.

•Hyatt is the first true freshman to start the season opener at any offensive line position since James Farr started the 1980 season opener at center against Rice.

•Hyatt is first freshman (true or red-shirt) to start the season opening game at any offensive line position since Nathan Bennett against Georgia in 2003.  Bennett was a red-shirt freshman.

•Hyatt is just the third true freshman to start the season opener at any position under Dabo Swinney.  The others are Chandler Catanzaro (2010, PK), and Adam Humphries (2011, WR).   (Yes Humphries, not Sammy Watkins).

•Since freshman eligibility returned to college sports for the 1972-73 academic year, Hyatt is the ninth freshman (red-shirt or true) offensive lineman to start the season opener.  The others are Gary Brown (1979, OT), James Farr (1980, C), Frank DeIuliis (1985, OT), 1987 Eric Harmon (1987, OG), Jim Bundren (1994, OG), Glenn Rountree (1994, OG), Jermyn Chester (2000, OG), Nathan Bennett (2003, OG).  All were red-shirt freshmen other than Farr.

Clemson’s third drive showed promise as Nick Schuessler moved the Tigers deep in Wofford territory, but he he fumbled and the Terriers recovered. Deon Cain had his first career catch on the drive, an 11-yard reception.

Clemson’s defense is getting it done as the Tigers have forced two three-and-outs to start the game.

Clemson takes a 14-0 lead with 6:15 to play in the first quarter. Wayne Gallman punches one in from two yards out. The drive was 10 plays, 60 yards, 2:58 on the drive. Another efficient series for the Clemson offense.

Touchdown #Clemson. Tigers take a 7-0 lead on a 4-yard touchdown pass to Mike Williams. The touchdown drive was a 12-play, 75-yard drive that spanned 3:53 in the game. Impressive opening drive by the Tigers.

Watson was 6-6 for 42 yards on the Tigers opening drive.

 

Mike Williams ran into the goal post while trying to catch a pass from Deshaun Watson and he seems to be really hurt. They are tying him to the board and making him un-mobile. His day is over. We will get an update to you when we can.

Clemson has arrived.

It’s Game Day in Death Valley as the Tigers get ready to host Wofford in a couple of hours to open the 2015 football season.

It will be an exciting day for a lot of reasons. For one, Deshaun Watson is back at quarterback. The last time we all saw him he was tearing up the Gamecocks for 269 yards and four total touchdowns on one leg. It will be fun to watch him play again.

It is also going to be fun to watch all the skill players that are surrounding him. Artavis Scott, Mike Williams, Ray Ray McCloud, Deon Cain and Charone Peake. Who will get the ball? And how often?

Defensively, I’m anxious to watch this defense. They replace nine starters from last year’s defense that led the nation in 11 different categories, but Jayron Kearse is back and I think he will be a freak. I also love the secondary and th swagger they carry with Mackensie Alexander leading the way.

The defensive front is going to be really good. Shaq Lawson is the real deal, and so is Carlos Watkins. Christian Wilkins is going to be really good. I love watching that young man play the game. He has a chance to be one of the Tigers’ best defensive tackles of all-time if he does what I think he will do.

I’m concerned about the linebackers, though. Ben Boulware, B.J. Goodson, Travis Blanks and Dorian O’Daniel will be fine, but how will freshmen Jalen Williams and Kendall Joseph do? Can they step up, fill in and give this position some depth.

It will be fun to watch.

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Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson leads the Tigers into Memorial Stadium as the Tigers get set to take on Wofford this afternoon.

Tiger Walk. Clemson is now starting to warm up on the field as we approach one hour before the opening kickoff. Earlier, the Tigers participated in Tiger Walk, as they always do since Dabo Swinney became head coach. Here is a link to our gallery if you have done seen it.