Watson, Pinion Honored By ACC

CLEMSON, S.C. – Quarterback Deshaun Watson and punter Bradley Pinion were both honored with player-of-the-week selections by the ACC on Monday. Watson was named co-offensive back-of-the-week along with NC State quarterback Jacoby Brissett, while Watson also earned rookie-of-the-week honors. Pinion was named co-special teams player-of-the-week with Justin Vogel of Miami (Fla.).

Watson, who was also named national freshman-of-the-week by CBSSports.com and national true-freshman-of-the-week by 247Sports.com, completed 27-36 passes for 435 yards and six touchdowns in Clemson’s 50-35 win over North Carolina. It was Watson’s first career start for the Tigers.

The six touchdowns set a Clemson single-game record and tied an ACC record. They were the most touchdown passes by an ACC quarterback in his first career start and most by an ACC freshman in history. The 435 passing yards were second-most in Clemson history and second-most by an ACC quarterback in his first career start.

It was the second straight week Watson was named ACC Rookie-of-the-Week. He joined Kyle Parker as the only Clemson quarterbacks to be named ACC Rookie-of-the-Week twice in one season.

Pinion averaged 46.6 yards per punt and had three punts inside the 20. Four of his five punts were 46+ yards. He also handled kickoffs for the Tigers and had four touchbacks.