At Clemson, no less. He suffered a right ankle injury in the second half of Clemson’s 30-24 win over Troy.
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Front and center is Ray-Ray McCloud’s embarrassing mental gaffe when he flipped the ball on the 1-yard line as he was cruising into the end zone to celebrate a 75-yard punt return TD. Those showings have dropped the Tigers a spot to No. 3 in the rankings and raised questions about a letdown after a remarkable 2015.
So what’s wrong with Clemson’s offense?
“My freshman year I kind of came with enjoyment and excited to be here and a little bit last year”, Watson said.
Deshaun Watson, who turns 21 on Wednesday, Sept. 14, has much to prove this season after the Tigers’ lackluster triumphs over Auburn and Troy.
Watson finished the game 27-of-53 passing for 292 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw two interceptions. That’s a 52.9 completion percentage, which is well under the 67.8 percent clip he had last season. Clemson’s offense has really struggled to open the season, at least compared to past year, and Renfrow has four catches for 62 yards in two contests. Sep. A week after averaging 2.1 yards per carry against Auburn, the Tigers averaged 2.1 yards in the first half against the Trojans. Cook had 83 yards on 11 carries, including a 37-yard touchdown in the third quarter that extended FSU’s lead to 42-8.
The quarterback was not apologizing for his play in Clemson’s 2-0 start, but for his role in not fully appreciating the opportunity he has to play for the Tigers. Watson hit Hunter Renfrow for a 35-yard TD and Deon Cain for a 23-yard TD. They were good enough to win today.
Clemson (2-0) clung to a 13-10 lead entering the final quarter against Troy (1-1), which battled the Tigers on even terms throughout. But of Deshaun Watson’s six throws of 25 yards or more against Troy, just one found its intended target.
Watson’s completion percentage could have been significantly better if not for the multitude of drops by Tigers wide receivers over the course of the game.
Surprisingly, it wasn’t Clemson’s special teams holding them back.
Those short-term problems will affect clemson’s national perception. Alabama is ranked No. 1 and Florida State is No. 2.
Scott said if Clemson’s receivers make the plays they should, the Tigers experienced offense will look more like the juggernaut many expected from the outset of the season with Watson among the Heisman Trophy front-runners. When you’re dropping the ball the way we are, that affects your rhythm, third down, points, psyche and all that stuff.
That’s the big picture.
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Clemson redshirt sophomore receiver Hunter Renfrow will miss at least a month with a broken hand, head coach Dabo Swinney said Monday night. That’s a tough game, and Louisville follows that.
