Clemson vs. Wake Forest postgame notes

by CU Athletic Communications - Sat Nov 19 23:04:22 GMT-04:00 2016

TEAM

Clemson won its second straight ACC Atlantic Division title (shared with Louisville), and fifth in eight seasons (shared in 2013) under head coach Dabo Swinney.

Clemson produced the program’s sixth consecutive 10-win season. The program had seven total prior to Swinney’s appointment as head coach in 2008.

The Tigers have won their last 10 road games, the nation’s third-longest active streak behind Alabama and Oklahoma (11).

Clemson finished its second straight regular season with a perfect road record (5-0).

The senior class won its 45th game on Saturday and can match the Clemson record (set by the 2015 seniors) next week at home against South Carolina.

Clemson’s senior class won its 28th ACC regular season game, matching the 2015 group for the program record.

Clemson scored 21 first quarter points and has outscored its opponents 70-3 on the road in the opening quarter this season.

It was the fifth time this season the Tigers scored at least 21 points in a quarter.

Clemson finished with over 200 rushing and 200 passing yards, the fourth occurrence this season. The program is now 79-0-1 all time when posting 200 of both in the same game.

Clemson has recorded a sack in 41 consecutive games, a streak that extended on Kendall Joseph’s 10-yard stop late in the first half.

INDIVIDUAL

Deshaun Watson moved to 28-3 all time as Clemson’s starting quarterback.

Watson accounted for three scores Saturday, putting him just two shy of becoming the second player (Tajh Boyd) in program history responsible for 100 touchdowns.

Watson secured his 20th career rushing touchdown on a three-yard scamper in the opening quarter.

Watson scored multiple rushing touchdowns for the first time this season, and for the fifth time in his career.

Watson finished with 249 yards of total offense, pushing his career mark to 10,579 yards. He is now fourth in ACC history for total offense, trailing only Philip Rivers of NC State, Boyd and Joe Hamilton of Georgia Tech.

Wayne Gallman surpassed 3,000 career rushing yards on a 42-yard touchdown run on Clemson’s opening drive. He is the sixth runner in school history to reach 3,000.

Gallman set a Clemson record by posting his 16th career 100-yard rushing effort. The previous mark of 15 had been held by Raymond Priester since 1997. He finished with a season-high 161 yards.

Gallman now has 3,125 career rushing yards, putting him fifth in Clemson history. He passed Travis Zachery (1998-01) on the career list.

Gallman finished with 22 carries, his high tally since opening the season with 30 rushes at Auburn.

Gallman matched his rushing touchdown total from 2015 with two more Saturday, giving him 13 on the season.

Mike Williams went over 1,000 receiving yards on a 15-yard touchdown catch in the first quarter. Williams joins Rod Gardner and Sammy Watkins as the only players in Clemson history with two seasons of at least 1,000 receiving yards.

Carlos Watkins recorded a sack, giving him a team-high 7.5 on the season. His total is the highest by a Clemson defensive tackle since Trevor Pryce also had 7.5 in 1996.

Mark Fields recorded his first career sack on a corner blitz in the third quarter.

Joseph finished with two tackles for loss, pushing his season total to 10, second behind Christian Wilkins. He celebrated his 21st birthday Saturday.

Richard Yeargin posted a career-high 1.5 tackles for loss.