ESPN: Clemson wins several accolades

by TigerNet Staff - Tue Dec 06 09:13:31 GMT-04:00 2011

From Heather Dinich of ESPN:

MVP: Clemson quarterback Tajh BoydTajh Boyd

RS So. Quarterback

#10 6-1, 225

Hampton, VA

View Full Profile . There’s a reason he was in the Heisman conversation during the first half of the season. He was the unanimous choice for the MVP of the Dr Pepper ACC championship game, and despite some struggles late in the season, Boyd came through in the clutch and had a record-setting season. He threw for 240 passing yards and three touchdowns in the title game against Virginia Tech, and added another rushing touchdown. He finished with 31 touchdown passes and five rushing for the season for a school-record 36 total in terms of touchdown responsibility. Boyd also set the school record for passing yards and total offense in a season. Boyd enters the Discover Orange Bowl with 3,578 passing yards, and 3,764 total yards.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR: Clemson receiver Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins

Fr. Wide Receiver

#2 6-1, 200

Fort Myers, FL

View Full Profile . His five catches for 80 yards against Virginia Tech set the school record for receiving yards in a season. He now has 77 receptions for 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns. He tied the Clemson season record for touchdown receptions. Watkins now has 12 total touchdowns, tying C.J. SpillerC.J. Spiller

Pro Running Back

#28 5-11, 195

Lake Butler, FL

View Full Profile ’s record for touchdowns in a season by a freshman. Watkins had 157 all-purpose running yards against the Hokies and went over 2,000 for the season. He is the second Clemson player to do that joining C.J. Spiller, who had a record 2,680 in 2009. Watkins now has 2,077 entering the bowl game.

COACH OF THE YEAR: Clemson coach Dabo Swinney. He led the Tigers, who were unranked this preseason, to the ACC championship this past Saturday with a 38-10 victory over No. 5 Virginia Tech. It was Clemson’s first ACC championship since 1991. Clemson finished 15th in the final BCS standings, tied for its highest finish in the BCS. Swinney guided the Tigers to a 10-3 record overall, including four wins over Top-25 teams, tied for the second most in the nation and the most in one season in school history. Earlier in the year, Clemson defeated Top 25 teams from Auburn, Florida State and Virginia Tech on consecutive weeks, the first ACC team to defeated teams ranked in both polls in three straight games. The 10 wins are the most for the Clemson program since the 1990 season.