Trevor Lawrence – Noteworthy
Trevor Lawrence came in wanting to leave little doubt about No. 3 Clemson’s championship goals this season and about his ability to take the Tigers there. He accomplished both Saturday in a 41-7 rout of No. 16 North Carolina State, helping Clemson dominate the showdown between the Atlantic Coast Conference’s last remaining undefeated teams. “We just didn’t want to leave any doubt that the game should’ve went a certain way,” Lawrence said. “It was clear how we won the game by a good bit.” And it was clear Lawrence, the strong-armed, long-haired freshman, has the goods to keep the Tigers out front.
He passed for a career best 308 yards including a 46-yard TD throw to Tee Higgins in his third college start. He directed three first-half drives of 50-plus yards as the Tigers took quick control of an expected tight contest. Travis Etienne ran for three touchdowns, increasing his ACC-leading total to 14 on the ground this season. Etienne said Clemson has adjusted well to Lawrence’s leadership since he took over as starting quarterback. “Trevor is out there doing what he does,” Etienne said. “We know what he can do and we’re excited about it.” The Tigers (7-0, 4-0) opened with seven straight wins for the third time in four seasons in topping the Wolfpack (5-1, 2-1) for the seventh consecutive season. – AP College Football