Deshaun Watson Panthers postgame press conference

by Tony Crumpton - Assoc. Editor - Thu Aug 10 01:03:22 GMT-04:00 2017

First game: Today was good just to get back at it. Not just me, but all the rookies to get out there and experience for first NFL game. It was fun.

First game assessment: My main focus is us. Making sure I'm doing the right things as a quarterback. Leading the team ... Do whatever coach asks me to do and gameplan for.

Taking care of the ball: That's one of my goals - to take care of the football. Especially at this level. You can't turn the ball over. That's one of the biggest things we focus on is to take care of the ball. Whoever is handling it, runners or passers.

On his first TD: It's always good, regardless if it's a scrimmage, practice, preseason or regular season game - you get in the endzone, it's hard to do. It's a good feeling.

Ovation going onto the field: It was awesome. To be able to have that support from the fanbase, especially when I come back to this area. I just want to thank my fans and people who were supporting me.

Family on hand: It was good. God works in mysterious ways. My first NFL game is close enough for my family to see. Everyone showed up and supported.

First-game mindset: Just go out there and do my job - that's the biggest thing.

Moment with Cam Newton afterward: It was all love and support. There was some other stuff, but love and support. (Watson smiling).

TD: I was just extending the play. That's what coach always tells me. If there's nothing there do what I do and don't force anything. I extended the play and found a hole and tried to get into the endzone and I did.

Like ACCCG TD: It was. Actually when I came out for warmups, I told a couple guys that the last time I was in this stadium I won an ACC Championship. It was a good feeling to be back here and try to do the same thing.

Pace of the game vs. college and adapting: This is professional football. This is the highest level of the sport. Of course it's going to be faster with bigger guys and smarter guys, but at the same time, I'm doing the same thing they're doing and trying to play fast also. At the end of the day, it's still football and you have to go out there and operate and do your job.

Spots to improve: A lot of things, but I can't say anything right now because I haven't watched the film. So whenever we get back to West Virginia and watch the film tomorrow, we'll correct the mistakes and see the passes that I missed. It was a good day overall. I did what I needed to do and I felt comfortable doing it.

On Boulware on the opposing side: It was weird. Especially after the game when I saw him. Usually we're on the same sideline and I talked with him. It was weird, especially playing three years with him and being on the other sideline.

First preseason game and playing in front of Texans fans next: Hopefully it was good. It's a start. I've just got to enjoy the process and stay on track and find ways to get better in this league. That's what I've got to do is stay hungry and continue to work.

Preparation before the game: It prepared me to go out there and be confident in my work and operate in a new system and new environment and go out there and play my best and that's what I did.