CLEMSON, South Carolina (AP) – Trevor Lawrence pitched for 403 yards and two touchdowns in his first game in five weeks, and probably the last in Death Valley, when number 4 Clemson strangled Pittsburgh 52-17 on Saturday.
Lawrence had noticed the box on game day since he beat Syracuse on October 24, tested positive for coronavirus the following week and missed Clemson’s next two games, adding his only defeat this season: a double 47-40 loss in overtime in n. 2 Notre. Dama.
Lawrence, healthy and impatient, is expected to play last week, but a positive from a Clemson offensive lineman friday before the game led to a postponement to Florida State a few hours before the start.
Lawrence, a 6-foot-6-inch young man with a hard arm, a skilful touch and floating hair, as sharp as ever in Clemson’s leadership (8-1, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference; No. 3 CFP) a step closer to the league championship game and most likely a rematch with the undefeated Fighting Irish.
“Last night in Death Valley, a super special night, ” said Lawrence. “I need to pass out differently. “
Cornell Powell had five receptions for 176 yards, adding a 43-yard landing at a Lawrence pass. Powell also had a one-handed catch on a 70-yard pass to Pitt Five who prepared a 2-yard TD race from Chez Mellusi for a lead 38-3.
Lawrence opened the scoreboard with a five-yard landing pass for rookie E. J. Williams is less than 4 minutes away. By the time reserve runner Lyn-J Dixon broke in for a one-yard landing with five seconds to play in the first quarter, the Tigers were winning 31-0, the top problems they had never scored in the first period.
The Panthers (5-5, 4-5) were the last team to win at Clemson, 43-42 in 2016, but Pittsburgh Quarterback Kenny Pickett pitched four interceptions, three in the first 8 minutes that led to Clemson’s touchdowns, and panthers could not as the Tigers won their 28th consecutive home game.
Lawrence finished 26 of 37 assists and stepped up to 32-1 as a starter. He earned a massive cheer from the crowd, limited to 18,819 due to coronavirus restrictions, when he went down Clemson Hill only for those who bet their last games at the Memorial. Stadium.
He said that before the season began, his plan was to play the season, graduate in December and move on to the NFL, where he would be the first choice.
Pickett pitched for 209 yards and two touchdowns with all four interceptions. The Panthers controlled 16 yards per ground, one off-season.
Pittsburgh coach Pat Narduzzi said his team’s mistakes charge them early and put them in a tricky position to take on the talented Tigers.
“And Trevor Lawrence with that cannon arm, ” said Narduzzi. “I’ve noticed a guy throwing a ball as far away” as Powell’s long pass.
TAKE-OFF
Pittsburgh: The Panthers came in with acc’s third-best-defensive in yards allowed, but Clemson surpassed that number (311) with 349 yards in half-time and ended up granting his maximum of yards this season with 581.
Clemson: The Tigers played with a chimney they probably lost at Notre Dame three weeks ago and lost the possibility a week ago with the florida state postponement. Once Clemson opened a big lead in the first quarter, he struggled to locate his offensive rhythm the rest of the way. Tigers will want more consistency with the bigger games to come.
Following
Pittsburgh ends its season at Georgia Tech on December 10.
Clemson travels to Virginia Tech on Saturday.
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