Watson helps No. 3 Clemson fend off N.C. State
The Sports Xchange
Oct 15, 2016
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Artavis Scott on Clemson's first possession of overtime as the No. 3-ranked Tigers survived North Carolina State, 24-17, on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Clemson (7-0, 4-0 in the ACC) remained unbeaten by the slimmest of margins in a battle of teams which entered the game undefeated in league play.
Kyle Bambard of N.C. State missed a 37-yard field goal attempt wide right on the final play of regulation that would have ended the Tigers' 42-game winning streak against unranked teams.
Watson finished 39 of 52 for 378 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Mike Williams was his favorite target, making 13 receptions for 120 yards and a score.
Clemson grabbed a 3-0 lead on a 25-yard field goal by Greg Huegel with 1:17 left in the first half.
N.C. State (4-2, 1-1) tied the game on a Bambard 28-yard field goal with 2:03 left in the first half, capping a 14-play, 88-yard drive -– the longest surrendered by Clemson's defense this season.
But the Tigers struck back with an impressive drive of their own, marching 74 yards in 10 plays and capping the effort with a 13-yard Watson-to-Williams scoring pass with 10 seconds left in the half.
N.C. State's Mike Stevens intercepted Watson's pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second half to tie the game 10-10.
It was the first interception return for a touchdown in Watson's career.
Clemson fumbled the next two times it had the ball, but kept the game tied by blocking a 48-yad field goal attempt late the third quarter, then driving 77 yards in 10 plays for a 17-10 lead, with Watson scampering into the end zone from four yards.
But the Wolfpack tied the game on its next possession, driving 75 yards in 14 plays, capped by a two-yard plunge by Matthew Dayes with 11:23 left.
Dayes had 106 yards on 22 carries for the Wolfpack while quarterback Ryan Finley was 20 of 40 for 231 yards.
NOTES: Clemson ranks third in the nation in forcing three-and-outs with 6.5 per game; only Michigan and Alabama rank higher. ... QB Deshaun Watson has thrown at least one touchdown pass in a school-record 22 consecutive games. ... WR Deon Cain has only 13 receptions this season, but has scored touchdowns on six of those. ... N.C. State leads the ACC in ball security, with only five turnovers in five games. ... QB Ryan Finley ranks second in the ACC and eighth nationally with a 69.5 completion percentage. ... DE Bradley Chubb has 8.5 tackles for losses, the fourth-best total in the ACC.
Oct 15, 2016
CLEMSON, S.C. -- Quarterback Deshaun Watson threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to Artavis Scott on Clemson's first possession of overtime as the No. 3-ranked Tigers survived North Carolina State, 24-17, on Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Clemson (7-0, 4-0 in the ACC) remained unbeaten by the slimmest of margins in a battle of teams which entered the game undefeated in league play.
Kyle Bambard of N.C. State missed a 37-yard field goal attempt wide right on the final play of regulation that would have ended the Tigers' 42-game winning streak against unranked teams.
Watson finished 39 of 52 for 378 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Mike Williams was his favorite target, making 13 receptions for 120 yards and a score.
Clemson grabbed a 3-0 lead on a 25-yard field goal by Greg Huegel with 1:17 left in the first half.
N.C. State (4-2, 1-1) tied the game on a Bambard 28-yard field goal with 2:03 left in the first half, capping a 14-play, 88-yard drive -– the longest surrendered by Clemson's defense this season.
But the Tigers struck back with an impressive drive of their own, marching 74 yards in 10 plays and capping the effort with a 13-yard Watson-to-Williams scoring pass with 10 seconds left in the half.
N.C. State's Mike Stevens intercepted Watson's pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown on the first play of the second half to tie the game 10-10.
It was the first interception return for a touchdown in Watson's career.
Clemson fumbled the next two times it had the ball, but kept the game tied by blocking a 48-yad field goal attempt late the third quarter, then driving 77 yards in 10 plays for a 17-10 lead, with Watson scampering into the end zone from four yards.
But the Wolfpack tied the game on its next possession, driving 75 yards in 14 plays, capped by a two-yard plunge by Matthew Dayes with 11:23 left.
Dayes had 106 yards on 22 carries for the Wolfpack while quarterback Ryan Finley was 20 of 40 for 231 yards.
NOTES: Clemson ranks third in the nation in forcing three-and-outs with 6.5 per game; only Michigan and Alabama rank higher. ... QB Deshaun Watson has thrown at least one touchdown pass in a school-record 22 consecutive games. ... WR Deon Cain has only 13 receptions this season, but has scored touchdowns on six of those. ... N.C. State leads the ACC in ball security, with only five turnovers in five games. ... QB Ryan Finley ranks second in the ACC and eighth nationally with a 69.5 completion percentage. ... DE Bradley Chubb has 8.5 tackles for losses, the fourth-best total in the ACC.
