Trevor Lawrence threw for 403 yards and two touchdowns in his first game in five weeks — and likely last one at Death Valley — as No. 4 Clemson throttled Pittsburgh 52-17 on Saturday.
Lawrence hadn't seen the field on game day since beating Syracuse on Oct. 24. He tested positive for the coronavirus the following week and missed Clemson's next two games, including its only loss this season — a 47-40 double OT defeat at No. 2 Notre Dame.
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Trevor Lawrence threw for 403 yards and two touchdowns in his first game in five weeks — and likely last one at Death Valley — as No. 4 Clemson throttled Pittsburgh 52-17 on Saturday.
Lawrence, a 6-foot-6 junior with a powerful arm, deft touch and flowing hair, was as crisp as ever in leading Clemson (8-1, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference; No. 3 CFP) a step closer to the league championship game and a likely rematch with the unbeaten Fighting Irish.
The Panthers (5-5, 4-5) were the last team to win at Clemson, 43-42 in 2016. But Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett threw four interceptions, three in the first eight minutes that all led to Clemson touchdowns, and the Panthers could not recover as the Tigers won their 28th straight at home.
Pickett passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns along with those four interceptions. The Panthers managed just 16 yards rushing, a season low.
Clemson: The Tigers played with a fire likely from losing at Notre Dame three weeks ago and missing the chance to recover a week ago with the Florida State postponement. Once Clemson opened a big first-quarter lead, it had trouble finding its offensive rhythm the rest of the way. The Tigers will need more consistency with bigger games ahead.
Clemson heads to Virginia Tech next Saturday.
The Clemson Tigers mascot performs during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardThe Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich (31) celebrates after making an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardThe Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers (3) is tackled for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardThe Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
A healthy, eager Lawrence expected to play last week, but a positive test from a Clemson offensive lineman on the Friday before the game led to a postponement at Florida State just hours before kickoff.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney talks to an official during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardPool Photo via AP)
Lawrence, a 6-foot-6 junior with a powerful arm, deft touch and flowing hair, was as crisp as ever in leading Clemson (8-1, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference; No. 3 CFP) a step closer to the league championship game and a likely rematch with the unbeaten Fighting Irish.
Cornell Powell had five catches for 176 yards, including a 43-yard TD catch off a flea-flicker pass from Lawrence. Powell also had an incredible, one-handed grab on a 70-yard pass to the Pitt 5 that set up Chez Mellusi's 2-yard TD run for a 38-3 lead.
Lawrence opened the scoring with a 5-yard touchdown pass to freshman E.J. Williams less than four minutes in. By the time reserve runner Lyn-J Dixon burst through for a 1-yard touchdown with 5 seconds left in the first quarter, the Tigers led 31-0 — the most points they had ever scored in the opening period.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) warms up with his team before an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardPool Photo via AP)
The Panthers (5-5, 4-5) were the last team to win at Clemson, 43-42 in 2016. But Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett threw four interceptions, three in the first eight minutes that all led to Clemson touchdowns, and the Panthers could not recover as the Tigers won their 28th straight at home.
Lawrence finished 26-of-37 passing and improved to 32-1 as a starter. He got a huge cheer from the crowd, limited to 18,819 due to coronavirus restrictions, when he took a solo run down Clemson's hill for those playing their final games at Memorial Stadium.
He said before the season began his plan was to play the season, graduate in December and head to the NFL, where's he's projected to be overall No. 1 pick.
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) warms up with his team before an NCAA college football game against Clemson Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardPool Photo via AP)
Pickett passed for 209 yards and two touchdowns along with those four interceptions. The Panthers managed just 16 yards rushing, a season low.
THE TAKEAWAY
Pittsburgh: The Panthers came in with the ACC's third-best defense in yards allowed, but Clemson had surpassed that figure (311) with 349 yards by halftime and finished allowing their most yards this season with 581.
Pittsburgh head coach Pat Narduzzi before an NCAA college football game against Clemson Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardPool Photo via AP)
Clemson: The Tigers played with a fire likely from losing at Notre Dame three weeks ago and missing the chance to recover a week ago with the Florida State postponement. Once Clemson opened a big first-quarter lead, it had trouble finding its offensive rhythm the rest of the way. The Tigers will need more consistency with bigger games ahead.
UP NEXT
Pittsburgh finishes its regular season at Georgia Tech on Dec. 10.
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence (16) during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardThe Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
Clemson heads to Virginia Tech next Saturday.
More AP college football: https://apnews.com/Collegefootball and https://twitter.com/AP_Top25.
Pittsburgh quarterback Kenny Pickett (8) looks to throw during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Clemson Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardThe Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
The Clemson Tigers mascot performs during the first half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardThe Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
Clemson cornerback Mario Goodrich (31) celebrates after making an interception during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardThe Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)
Clemson wide receiver Amari Rodgers (3) is tackled for a first down during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Pittsburgh Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020, in Clemson, S.C. (Ken RuinardThe Independent-Mail via AP, Pool)