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Ken Ruinard/Associated Press
The Clemson Tigers did no longer smash well-known time declaring their dominance over the Pittsburgh Panthers.
Dabo Swinney’s team set up 31 first-quarter aspects Saturday in its first game since its defeat to the Notre Dame Combating Irish on November 7.
Quarterback Trevor Lawrence shone in his return to the self-discipline, which became once delayed after the Week 12 conflict with the Florida Impart Seminoles became once cancelled hours before kickoff.
The offensive production stalled a little bit of in the final three quarters, but Clemson’s defense did no longer allow the visiting facet to develop well-known trouble.
The victory bolstered Clemson’s No. 3 draw in the College Soccer Playoff rankings and gave it a pleasant enhance heading into the Week 14 conflict with the Virginia Tech Hokies, which is determined to attend as the final tune-up for the ACC Championship Sport.
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Ken Ruinard/Associated Press
Lawrence produced the 2nd 400-yard efficiency of his season in his first beginning in better than a month.
The junior quarterback set the Tigers ahead by 17 aspects halfway thru the first quarter, throwing a pair of touchdown passes and main a self-discipline-function drive.
Lawrence done better than 70 p.c of his passes for the fifth time this season and did no longer appear to face well-known effort loyal thru his time on the self-discipline. The finest blemish on the quarterback’s stat line became once a misplaced fumble initially of the third quarter. Pitt parlayed that turnover into seven aspects, but that became once the final time it scored.
The quarterback’s lack of rust became once well-known for the Clemson team to appear at with a restricted window before he has to be ready for a seemingly rematch with the Notre Dame Combating Irish. Had Lawrence struggled to get a rhythm in the pocket, Clemson will contain entered its next game with extra considerations.
As a change, Clemson looked love its normal self with Lawrence on the helm and appears to be in gigantic shape for the ability December 19 rematch.
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Ken Ruinard/Associated Press
Lawrence’s early dominance became once made ability by the Clemson defense.
Andrew Booth Jr., Mario Goodrich and Malcolm Green intercepted Kenny Pickett to draw up scoring plays on the following Clemson drives. Every of the three first-half picks contain been turn into into touchdowns by Lawrence and the Clemson offense.
The early wave of picks allowed the Tigers to prove that they’ll improve on their 47-level concession against Notre Dame. Within the sport prior to the Notre Dame loss, Clemson let up 28 first-half aspects to the Boston College Eagles at dwelling before pitching a 2nd-half shutout.
Clemson would no longer desire to abolish a pair of turnovers in every game transferring ahead, but if it would possibly perchance well perchance well set tension on opposing quarterbacks and limit the production of broad receivers, it’ll be higher willing to take care of Ian Book and the Notre Dame offense.
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Ken Ruinard/Associated Press
Freshman E.J. Williams has an opportunity to manufacture into one among Lawrence’s finest choices in the passing game in the coming weeks.
Williams hauled in three passes for 38 yards and scored his first collegiate touchdown in Saturday’s rout. With injuries ravaging the broad receiver depth chart, Williams has an opportunity to stir loyal into a role below Cornell Powell and Amari Rodgers.
Sooner than Saturday’s game, Williams had a single 50-yard efficiency and caught three passes on a single event. If Lawrence continues to manufacture believe in the Alabama native, Williams in overall is a X-ingredient in the ACC Championship Sport or College Soccer Playoff with extra attention paid to Powell and Rodgers.
Apply Joe on Twitter, @JTansey90. Statistics obtained from ESPN.com.
