After defeating Syracuse 37-27 to cinch Clemson’s 10th win of the season, the players and coaches had a lot to say about how the game went in the Carrier Dome last Saturday.
Here is what we heard on Monday:
Co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott was proud of his offense’s ability to score two touchdowns in the first two drives of the game.
“Well first off, one of the things that we challenged our guys to last week was getting off to a fast start, and really harped on that from the beginning of the week all of the way to pregame because we knew that was going to be big on the read. I’m really proud that we couldn’t have gotten off to much quicker of a start than we did with the two quick touchdowns early,” Scott said,
However, he also noted that Clemson made a few costly and uncharacteristic mistakes that they will work on correcting before they take on Wake Forest in the last home game of the season.
“Sometimes you get to a point where you think it’s going to be easy, but it never is easy. The next two possessions, turning the ball over, the fumbles, I think obviously stalled our momentum. One thing I was proud about was our guys didn’t panic, very similar to some situations we may have had at NC State on the road when things didn’t go quite how we wanted for a little while. Our guys stayed locked in and when we executed, we moved the ball. We had some uncharacteristic penalties that hurt us on a few of the drives that caused us to punt. We had a couple of drops, but ultimately our message to our guys today will be the same one that we’ve had all year, which is it is all about us and it is all about our execution,” Scott said
Quarterback Deshaun Watson completed 34 of 47 passes for 360 yards and two touchdowns. He also had over 100 rushing yards and was named the ACC Offensive Back of the Week.
“As coaches, some of the best plays that he makes and some of the best things that he does no one would know, and that’s really making a decision on where to go with the ball on certain situations. I think his decision making at the line of scrimmage and when the ball is snapped is as good as I’ve ever seen and ever been around,” Scott said. “I think we’re all witnessing one of the best players at Clemson to play.”
After rushing for a game high of 105 yards, Watson said that was what he told the coaches he wanted to do.
“When it comes to crunch time, put the ball in my hands and let me make a decision, so it was just one of those games. I wanted it and they gave it to me,” he said.
Watson wasn’t the only Clemson player to be honored on Monday. Tight end Jordan Leggett was named a semi-finalist for the John Mackey award.
“I feel like I’ve accomplished something. I’m extremely happy. I definitely have to show thanks to my offensive coordinators just for trusting me by giving me the ball and stuff like that. I’m extremely happy. My family has been calling me all day just congratulating me. It’s a great feeling,” Leggett said.
Leggett’s good friend and fellow tight end, Stanton Seckinger shared how proud he was of Leggett’s honor.
“I just really enjoy going out and seeing him do so well. It’s fun to come and celebrate with him after the games with the couple of records that he has broken this year. It makes you feel like a proud father,” Seckinger said.
The senior will run down the hill for the last time this Saturday when all of the seniors will be honored before kickoff.
“Running down the hill is special regardless of how your season is going,” Seckinger said. “It’s going to be bittersweet for me.”