App. State vs. Clemson Notes

TEAM NOTES

• Clemson has now won 29 consecutive games against unranked opponents, the longest streak of its kind in school history. All 29 of the wins have been by at least four points, the longest active streak in the nation.

• Jayron Kearse’s first-quarter interception in the endzone was the Tigers’ first forced turnover of the season.

• Carlos Watkins’ 15-yard interception return for a touchdown was Clemson’s first “pick-six” since Ben Boulware returned an interception 47 yards for a touchdown against Oklahoma on Dec. 29, 2014 in the Russell Athletic Bowl.

• With Clemson’s three first-half interceptions, the Tigers have had at least three interceptions in three of the last five games dating back to the 2014 season.

• Clemson’s defense forced four takeaways (three interceptions, one fumble).

• Clemson’s 28 second-quarter points were the most by a Tiger team since Nov. 23, 2013 against The Citadel.

• Appalachian State converted 3-16 third-down attempts. On the season, Clemson’s opponents are 7-32 (21.9 percent) on third down.

• Clemson’s defense recorded 10 tackles for loss. The Tigers have led the country in tackles for loss each of the last two seasons.

• Appalachian State scored just 10 points. It is the second-straight game the Tigers have held their opponent to 10 points. On the year, Clemson’s defense has allowed just two touchdowns and two field goals.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• Deshaun Watson passed for 248 yards and three touchdowns, both season highs.

• Carlos Watkins returned an interception 15 yards for a touchdown, his first career interception and first career touchdown.

• Watkins is Clemson’s first defensive lineman to return an interception for a touchdown since Kourtnei Brown returned an interception 20 yards for a touchdown against North Carolina on Oct. 22, 2011.

• Watkins is the first defensive lineman to score a touchdown since Tavaris Barnes recovered a fumble in the endzone for a touchdown against Louisville on Oct. 11, 2014.

• Jayron Kearse’s first-quarter interception was his seventh career intereption. Kearse leads all active Tigers in career takeways.

• Charone Peake hauled in his sixth career touchdown reception in the second quarter and his first since Sept. 6, 2014 against SC State.

• Peake caught a 59-yard touchdown pass from Watson in the second quarter, the longest reception of his career and Clemson’s longest play of the 2015 season.

• Peake’s team-leading 86 reception yards is a career high. He also scored two touchdowns, the first multiple-touchdown game of his career.

• Shaq Lawson recorded three tackles for loss, his highest total since Nov. 6, 2014 against Wake Forest when he had four.

• Lawson’s second-quarter sack was his first sack of the season and first since Nov. 6, 2014 against Wake Forest.

• Ben Boulware picked off a pass in the second quarter for his first takeaway of the season and fourth of his career (three interceptions, one recovered fumble).

• T.J. Green recorded six tackles, including a tackle for loss and his first career pass breakup.

• Austin Bryant led the Tigers in tackles with seven, also his career high.

• Ray-Ray McCloud returned a third-quarter kickoff 73 yards, the longest Clemson kickoff return since Oct. 15, 2011, when Sammy Watkins returned a kickoff 89 yards for a touchdown at Maryland.

• Greg Huegel nailed his first career field-goal attempt, a 39-yarder with 7:09 remaining in the first quarter. He later added a career-long 47-yard field goal with 1:01 remaining in the fourth quarter. The freshman was 2-3 on field goals in the game.

• Huegel recorded two special teams tackles, the first two tackles of his career.

• Andy Teasdall booted a 52-yard punt in the first quarter, his season and career long. Teasdall averaged 43.5 yards per punt.