So far this year, Deshaun Watson has completed 74 percent of his passes and has thrown for seven touchdowns.
Good numbers, right? Not for Deshaun Watson.
Through three games, Watson has thrown for just 641 yards and has thrown three interceptions. Not exactly the kind of numbers that will win him a Heisman Trophy or even have him in the discussion, which is where many expected him to be this year. But the Clemson quarterback does not care about any of that. The only thing that concerns him is what that scoreboard says at the end of each game.
“That is going to take care of itself,” Watson said on Monday. “I’m just here to do my part, do my job and to help us get wins. If I win the Heisman then I’m happy for me, but if not, it is not going to hurt me. Right now, I’m focused on the team, myself, and do what we have to do to win.”
That’s what the 10th-ranked Tigers did against Louisville last Thursday. Though Watson was not at his best, he and his teammates still found a way to win a crucial road game in the ACC Atlantic Division race.
Watson completed 21 of 30 passes for 199 yards and two touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. It wasn’t a pretty performance by no stretch, and what the statistics don’t show are the two wide open passes to tight end Jordan Leggett he missed that could have possibly gone for touchdowns.
“That is going to happen. Not every game is going to be perfect,” Watson said. “It is kind of hard to be perfect in this sport so it was good to get the win.”
Watson was perfect when he needed to be, however. He found wide receiver Hunter Renfrow from 32 yards out in the second quarter for the game’s first score, and then spotted Jordan Leggett down the seam for a 25-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Leggett’s touchdown was part of 13 straight points scored by the Tigers (3-0, 1-0 ACC) after Louisville had taken the lead to start the third quarter.
But now a different opportunity awaits Watson and his teammates on Oct. 3 when No. 6 Notre Dame visits Clemson for the first time since 1977. Many believe the Irish to be a true contender for the college football playoffs. A win and the Tigers could vault themselves to the front of the line, and all of a sudden Watson is a Heisman Trophy candidate once again.
“I’m anxious for it. Whenever that time comes, it will be very exciting,” Watson said. “People dream about playing in these types of games. Every game is the biggest game of the year so we will treat it like a regular game and will come out and be ready to play.”