Deshaun Watson ready to shift into running gear

Preferring to rely largely on his eyes and right arm, Deshaun Watson hasn’t needed to use his legs in 9th-ranked Clemson's first two games.

Eventually, perhaps as soon as Thursday night at Louisville, somebody’s going to make the Tigers' talented quarterback run.

Watson rushed for more than 4,000 yards at Gainesville (Ga.) High and as a Clemson freshman totaled 200 in five starts and pieces of three others. In two games this season, he has 39 yards on 11 carries, all the result of instant decisions.

“I think when he’s able to run, he creates an extra hat for us on offense,” said Tony Elliott, first-year co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach. “We know we’re going to have to run him a little bit, going to have to be strategic in how we do it, and use some of the misdirection.

“I think going forward he’s going to have to get involved in running the football,” he said. “You don’t want to run him and take away from his ability as a passer. You have to find a way to balance that and keep him sharp as a passer but effective as a runner so defenses can’t sit on tendencies.”

Not once in two games has a run been called for Watson. Frequently, he reminds receivers to remain alert after he starts to move. For instance, the 59-yard touchdown rainbow last Saturday was a result of Charone Peake staying alert.

“It really comes natural for this offense,” Watson said Monday. “It’s not designed for me to run. I have six running backs that can run the ball and we have some playmakers outside that can catch and make some big plays.

“If I have to run then I’ll run, but that’s not my first option. I like to throw the ball before I start to run,” he said. “We have guys who can do that job.”

Facing a Louisville defense gashed for 441 rushing yards, the opportunities would seem abundant. In addition to completing 23 of 33 passes for 236 yards and three touchdowns, Houston quarterback Greg Ward Jr. rushed for 98 yards against the Cardinals this past week. Further, Houston was 11 of 22 on third down and 2 of 3 on fourth down.

Despite losing six players to the NFL, Louisville has a defense that Elliott sees as being reloaded by adding three transfers – 6-foot-5 safety Josh Harvey-Clemons and corner Shaq Wiggins from Georgia, and outside linebacker Devonte Fields from TCU via Trinity Valley (Texas) Junior College.

“You don’t see a lot of different numbers, but the body types are similar,” Elliott said of the new faces on the Louisville defense. “They are aggressive and fast. They’re physical.”

Elliott also warned against presumptions about Louisville’s 0-2 record. “A wounded animal is a dangerous animal,” he said. “They’re back is in the corner.”

Though Clemson won last year in Death Valley, secured with a goal-line stand in Louisville’s final possession, Watson sustained a fracture in his throwing hand during the first quarter, trying to remain upright after breaking containment.

It was the first of two injuries that shortened his season and teased Clemson fans with the possibilities.

“Each game for me after having experience of injuries last year, I appreciate the game even more,” Watson said. “Each game is the biggest game for me, just to get through it. I just appreciate and thank God for the opportunity.

“It was just one of those things that happened, that I couldn’t control.”