When Louisville entered Death Valley last season, no one could have predicted Clemson quarterback Deshuan Watson was going to suffer his first injury of the season.

Watson was forced to leave the game in the first half when he suffered a broken hand. He did not return to play until the Georgia Tech game where he became injured again, this time it was more serious.

After recovering from his torn ACL, Watson returned as the starter for the 2015 season and has led the ninth-ranked Tigers to wins over Wofford and App State. Now, Clemson will travel to Louisville for their first away game on Thursday night, and Watson will get the chance to play the Cardinals again for the first time since breaking his finger in last year’s game.

“Everything happens for a reason, and for me it was just one of those things that kind of happened, and that is something that I couldn’t control, nothing that I’m afraid of,” Watson said.

Watson believes the adversity he faced last season has only made him appreciate having the opportunity to play the game he loves more, and he is excited to face the Cardinals at their place.

“For me, having that experience of injuries last year, I appreciate the game even more,” he said. “Each game is the biggest game for me, just to get through it. I just appreciate and thank God for the opportunity, so I’m going to go in ready to play.”

The Louisville game is not only the first away test for the Tigers (2-0), but it is also the first ACC opponent. Watson knows his team will have to bring everything they’ve got to Louisville in order to come out successful because they will be facing a Cardinals team that is hungry for their first win.

“They’re very athletic and very well coached. They’re going to be fired up to play against us. They’re a great team,” Watson said. “They’re going to come fired up Thursday night and they’re playing at home, so we’ve got to bring our ‘A’ game.”

Although Louisville has lost both of its first two games, Watson says it has not affected Clemson’s mindset as it prepares for a challenging game. This road game will be the second game the Tigers will have to play in just five days, and Watson said  he does not think he has ever had that quick of a turn around.

“Each week we have a standard that we play to,” he said. “Each week we’ve got to come ready to play because we’re going to get everybody’s best and this Thursday is going to be a fun one.”