The Clemson Insider handed out several helmet stickers to top performers from second-ranked Clemson’s 31-0 victory over third-ranked Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl on Saturday…
Deshaun Watson
Watson began his two-game Heisman snub revenge tour with one of his best performances of the season. He completed 23 of his 36 pass attempts for 259 yards and a touchdown against a vaunted Ohio State secondary ranked among the best in the nation. His second-quarter touchdown toss on a wheel route to CJ Fuller was a thing of beauty. In addition, Watson was Clemson’s second-leading rusher, gaining 57 yards on 15 carries and scoring a pair of touchdowns in the game.
Mike Williams
Clemson’s leading receiver reprised his role in the Tigers’ bowl game. Williams caught six passes for 96 yards in Saturday’s victory, leading his team in both categories. He did not score a touchdown in the game, but some of his catches came at critical times throughout the proceedings. His first catch of the day went for 37 yards on third down that set up Clemson’s first field goal. His 26-yard grab set up the Tigers’ touchdown on the next drive.
Wayne Gallman
After a bit of a slow start, Gallman started clicking as the game wore on and the Tigers needed to grind the clock. He finished with 18 carries for 85 yards—both team highs—and averaged 4.7 yards per carry against a tough Buckeye defense. His seven-yard run to the end zone punctuated the brief drive that followed a Van Smith interception in the fourth quarter. 45 of Gallman’s 85 yards came on his three fourth-quarter carries, after Ohio State’s defense had been sufficiently demoralized.
Andy Teasdall
Teasdall has taken his lumps this season—and for good reason. He came into the game at a significant disadvantage against his counterpart for Ohio State, but the veteran held his own. He averaged 41.2 yards per punt, pinned the Buckeyes inside the 20 three times, and boomed a 67-yarder on his first attempt of the game. Teasdall’s prowess allowed the Tigers to keep pace in the field position aspect of Saturday’s game.
Carlos Watkins
Watkins was a force on the interior of the Clemson defensive line. He had two of the Tigers’ three sacks, as well as two of the team’s 11 tackles for loss. Watkins and his counterparts up front harassed the Buckeyes’ offensive front for the entire game and never allowed Barrett to get comfortable in the pocket. Watkins was the only Clemson player to have multiple pass breakups in the game, tipping two of the five the Tigers managed in the contest.
Van Smith
Smith’s highlight reel interception return toward the end of the game will get the publicity, but he put together an all-around performance to be proud of against the Buckeyes. He finished second on the team with six tackles (including four solo stops), had 0.5 tackles for loss, and forced a fumble. His interception return spanned 86 yards and set up Clemson’s final touchdown.