Watson, Gore Honored by ACC

CLEMSON, S.C. — Sophomore quarterback Deshaun Watson and senior offensive tackle Joe Gore were both honored by the Atlantic Coast Conference on Monday. Watson was named the ACC Back of the Week for the second time this year and the fourth time in his career, while Gore was named the ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week for the first time. 

Watson completed 23-30 passes for 383 yards and five touchdowns in Clemson’s 56-41 win over NC State.  He also added 54 yards rushing in 14 attempts and a touchdown.  He finished the day with 437 yards of total offense and six touchdowns. The six total touchdowns tied for the second most in a game in Clemson history. 

Watson, who is second in the nation in QBR according to ESPN, had a passing efficiency rating of 238.91, the best in Clemson history given a minimum of 30 attempts, and the best by an FBS player this past week, giving a minimum of 30 attempts.

Watson was also named the National Offensive Player of the Week by the Walter Camp Foundation on Sunday.

Gore played all 80 snaps for the Clemson offense and graded a career best 91 percent in the Tigers 56-41 win at NC State. He had three knockdown blocks and did not allow a sack or have a penalty.

Gore was a big reason Clemson had 623 yards of total offense, second most in school history in a road game, and scored 56 points on seven touchdowns and three field goals.   

This marked the third time this year a Clemson offensive lineman had been named ACC Offensive Lineman of the Week. Starting center Jay Guillermo was honored twice earlier in the season.