Clemson sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson jump-started his legendary status last year in the regular-season finale against rival South Carolina. Despite playing with a torn ACL in his left knee, Watson passed for 269 yards and accounted for four touchdowns in a 35-17 victory.
"He definitely made a statement, and it motivated the rest of us," Clemson tight end Jordan Leggett said of Watson's play. "I thought he was stupid at first for playing on a torn ACL, but once I talked to him, after we got the win, I felt a whole lot better. But I still don't think anyone else would have done it."
That game provided a glimpse of what was to come. Watson had surgery after the game, stuck to a rigorous rehabilitation schedule and entered fall camp in August ready and raring to go.
He hasn't disappointed, passing for 2,944 yards and 26 touchdowns this season while completing more than 70 percent of his passes and emerging as a Heisman Trophy candidate for the undefeated (11-0) and No. 1-ranked Tigers.
Watson, who has earned ACC Offensive Back of the Week honors four times in the last six weeks, has guided Clemson to at least 500 yards of offense in seven consecutive games.
On Tuesday, more honors poured in as Watson was named one of three semifinalists for the Maxwell Trophy (best player in college football) and the Davey O'Brien Award for quarterbacks.
"He's playing about as well as you can play," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.
Watson, who is 15-1 as a starter over the past two seasons, is eager for his second meeting against South Carolina, which has struggled to a 3-8 season.
"I didn't realize how big this rivalry was until I started getting recruited by Clemson," Watson said.
"After we beat them last year, it was just good to see the Clemson fans happy and excited. A lot of people came up to me and said they could go to work smiling and brag to their Carolina co-workers, so it was pretty cool to hear that."
NOTES, QUOTES
PLAYERS TO WATCH
--RB Wayne Gallman rushed for a career-high 191 yards in last year's win against South Carolina and could have a repeat performance against a Gamecocks defense that ranks 113th nationally against the run. Gallman, a 1,000-yard rusher this season, took last week off to continue healing a foot injury, but he should be full-go for South Carolina.
--WR Artavis Scott also came up big against South Carolina last year, with seven receptions for a career-high 185 yards and two touchdowns. He's quarterback Deshaun Watson's roommate and favorite target, leading the team with 74 receptions this season -- more than twice as many as any other Clemson receiver. There's no reason to expect any different this week.
--DB Mackensie Alexander will be the man on the spot against South Carolina, likely drawing the assignment of keeping tabs of Pharoh Cooper, who's the Gamecocks' leading receiver and primary playmaker. Alexander, who sat out last week's game with a knee injury, should be eager to return to the lineup. He savors challenges, and this may be one of his best to date.
