Watkins Named Capital One Cup Impact Performer of the Week

Oct. 20, 2011

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson freshman wide receiver Sammy Watkins has been named the Capital One Cup Impact Performer of the Week. The announcement was made by ESPN on Thursday. The ESPN.com website conducts a national poll of fans to determine the winner each week. Watkins had 37 percent of the vote in finishing first.

Watkins had 345 all-purpose yards in Clemson’s 56-45 win at Maryland last Saturday. The freshman from Ft. Myers, FL had eight receptions for 105 yards and two touchdowns and five kickoff returns for 205 yards and a touchdown. He also had a 33-yard run.

Watkins became just the second FBS player in the last 11 years to have at least 200 yards in kickoff returns, 100 yards in receptions and three touchdowns in the same game. Toledo’s Eric Page also accomplished the feat last year.

Watkins 345 all-purpose yards were a Clemson single game record, breaking the mark of 312 yards set by C.J. Spiller against Florida State in 2009. It was also an ACC freshman record and the fourth highest all-purpose running game in ACC history regardless of class.