PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Trevor Lawrence continues to play better on the road than at home and is coming off a game at Boston College that saw him complete 29-of-40 passes for 295 yards and a touchdown. He also scored the first rushing touchdown of his career on a six-yard run. Now Lawrence has a chance to improve his numbers at Memorial Stadium as Clemson’s final two regular-season games are both at home, beginning Saturday against Duke. Lawrence leads the ACC with 19 touchdown passes and should add to that total against the Blue Devils. “His demeanor is the same every single day, and I think that makes him special,” Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said.
–WR/PR Amari Rodgers not only is rounding into the Tigers’ top option as a receiver, he’s also making waves as a punt return specialist. His 58-yard punt return for a touchdown against Boston College in the fourth quarter was his first of the season and couldn’t have been more timely. “The punt return was awesome,” Coach Dabo Swinney said. “That was kind of the dagger.” Rodgers also is the team’s second-leading receiver with 38 receptions this season.
–S Tanner Muse had a season-high 10 tackles last week at Boston College, including half a tackle for loss, and has become a solidifying force at free safety. He was a key part of the Tigers limiting AJ Dillon, the ACC’s leading rusher, to a season-low 39 yards. “Our confidence is sky high right now,” Muse said. “We’ve played so many different offenses, we’ve done it all. We know we can do just about anything asked of us.”
–WR Hunter Renfrow will be seeking a reception in his 39th consecutive game on Saturday. A catch will break the school record of 38 set by Artavis Scott from 2014 to 2016. Renfrow is coming off his best game of the season — an eight-catch, 80-yard night at Boston College. He ranks third on the team with 35 receptions this season.
SERIES HISTORY: Clemson leads the series, 36-16-1, and has won four straight.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “He just continues to get better, and the bigger the moment, the better he plays.” — Clemson co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott on freshman quarterback Trevor Lawrence.
