Leggett just catches touchdowns for Clemson
Just call him “Touchdown Leggett.” Clemson tight end Jordan Leggett caught a touchdown pass for a fifth consecutive game when he snagged a 34-yard pass from Deshaun Watson for the Tigers’ first score of the day Saturday at Miami.
He’s the first tight end in Clemson history to catch at least one touchdown pass in five consecutive games. The junior has six TD catches this season.
“I’m excited about that; I’ve been feeling good,” Leggett said.
His catch jump-started a 58-0 win that surprised Leggett.
“We played a complete game, everybody was clicking on all cylinders,” Leggett said. “And when the backups came in they were clicking, too.
“They’re a team that likes to be up. They don’t like to play from behind, so as soon as we got up we just kept coming with it. We never let up. It was definitely a statement game for us.”
Cordrea on the spot
Cornerback Cordrea Tankersley had a 36-yard interception return that made the score 42-0 just 34 seconds before halftime.
“When I caught it, I was like, ‘I’m on my feet!’ ” Tankersley said. “Then I was like, ‘Alright, let’s score.’ ”
The interception was Tankersley’s team-leading third of the season and the fifth of his career.
It was an eventful day for the typically soft-spoken cornerback. When the teams butted heads during warmups, engaging in some verbal exchanges, even Tankersley couldn’t avoid it.
“I was one of the ones – it got a little antsy,” said Tankersley, who believed the altercation stemmed from what he called ‘field position.’ “We always do our workouts and stuff on that side of the field, and they were kind of getting in our way and stuff and they were looking at us the wrong way and it escalated from there. After that, it was kind of a wait-til-12-o’clock kind of deal.”
Bryant runs wild
Freshman quarterback Kelly Bryant came on in the fourth quarter and scored two rushing touchdowns for the Tigers on runs of 59 and 10 yards, and was mobbed by teammates after his long-distance dash.
“It was wide open and it was like I had tunnel vision – I just saw the end zone,” Bryant said. “When one player scores, we all score. We’re like a big family.”
No one was more excited for Bryant that offensive guard Eric Mac Lain.
“It was just beautiful to see that 4.4 speed getting loose,” Mac Lain said.
Sitting one out
Freshman wide receiver Deon Cain, who had seven catches for 193 yards in the Tigers’ last two games, didn’t play Saturday.
“I sat him today,” Coach Dabo Swinney said. “He could have played. Just sometimes it’s good for some of these younger guys ..it’s just part of the process. Sometimes everyone needs a little attitude adjustment every now and then. Sometimes it’s good for them to stand over there and see that you can win without them.
“He’s a good kid. I love how he responded. I don’t think I’ll deal with that anymore. He’ll be dialed in and ready to goMonday.”
Home-field advantage?
The visiting team has won five straight games in the Clemson-Miami series.
Racking up yards
Wayne Gallman had 118 yards, his fourth 100-yard game of the season. That’s the most 100-yard efforts in a season since Roderick McDowell also had four in 2013. QB Deshaun Watson had a career-high 98 yards rushing, including a 63-yard jaunt that’s the longest of his career.
Padding the stats
Shaq Lawson had two sacks, increasing his career total to 13. He has at least one tackle for loss in every game this season. Defensive ends Austin Bryant and Richard Yeargin recorded their first career sacks, both in the third quarter, on back to back plays.