Clemson Outlasts North Carolina: The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

The Clemson Tigers put last week's heartbreaking loss at Florida State in the rearview Saturday night, knocking off visiting North Carolina 50-35. True freshman Deshaun Watson made his first start memorable, setting a Clemson record for touchdown passes with six, as well as a school-record for freshman passing yards with 435. North Carolina quarterback Marquise Williams had another strong night, finishing with 345 passing yards and four touchdowns. Clemson's defense iced the game when Robert Smith intercepted Williams in the endzone with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation. 

THE GOOD: WATSON AND WILLIAMS

In a game that many predicted to be a shootout, quarterbacks Deshaun Watson and Marquise Williams didn't disappoint. North Carolina's Williams stayed poised throughout the contest despite a slow start. After trailing 22-7 at the half, Williams tossed three second-half scores, inlucding a 75-yard connection to Ryan Switzer to pull the Heels within 15 in the fourth quarter. Unfortunately for Williams, his night ended with an interception in Clemson's endzone to hand Clemson the victory. 

What can you say about Deshaun Watson that hasn't already been said? Watson set the Death Valley on fire Saturday night, putting his name in the record book in more than one category. Watson set a freshman-record with 435 passing yards, six touchdowns, and became the Clemson's all-time single-season freshman leader with 914 yards passing and 10 touchdowns. Clemson fans were elated when Watson's first pass attempt of the night was a 74-yard touchdown to sophomore Germone Hopper. Perhaps Watson's most telling note is he didn't throw back-to-back incompletions throughout the entire contest. 

THE BAD: DEFENSE - OR LACK THEREOF

North Carolina's much-maligned defense limped into Death Valley on the heels of an infamous school-record last week, surrendering 789 yards and 70 points at East Carolina. Clemson's defense has one of the nation's best front seven, and on paper it appeared the Tigers had the upperhand. At halftime, Clemson had already tallied 218 yards, 193 against the Heels' porous secondary. Carolina had managed just 136 yards at the half, but exploded for 342 yards in the second half. Clemson's offense stayed on cruise control, finishing the night with 528 total yards. 

Both teams averaged a healthy six yards-per-play, and neither defense appeared capable of making a stand in the second half. One bright spot for Clemson's defense was the play of Vic Beasley. The All-American defensive end snagged two sacks, pulling within one of the school-record currently co-held by Michael Dean Perry and the late Gaines Adams. 

THE UGLY: WHERE IS THE RUNNING GAME?

Despite being loaded with talent at the tailback position, neither North Carolina nor Clemson managed to total 100 yards rushing. North Carolina utilized star freshman Elijah Hood throught the game, and Hood managed 72 yards on 13 carries with a score in the fourth quarter. Clemson's tailback-by-committee garnered a measly 78 yards on 26 carries against a defense that allowed over 300 yards against East Carolina the week before. Clemson's inability to earn tough yards in short yardage situations was highlighted in last week's loss, and the answers weren't found against North Carolina despite scoring 50 points. North Carolina's ability to rack up rushing yards was all but taken away when Clemson pulled ahead 22-7 at halftime. Both teams combined for a putrid 2.4 yards per carry in Death Valley.