Day 41

Fresh Start_41: The return of college football
Last night in Clemson, South Carolina, the Clemson Tigers brought back old-style football with their win over the Louisville Cardinals. The matchup showcased the top two quarterbacks in the country in Deshawn Watson and Lamar Jackson. The game was slow in the first quarterback with the punches being countered by both teams. This had the feel of a heavyweight boxing match. Whatever Watson did, Jackson and the Cards would have to respond. The Cardinals were the ones that did have the opening punch with a one-yard touchdown run by Jeremy Smith. Watson and the Tigers would respond, and respond in a big way.
Clemson would get the ball back and go a 28-3 run to end the half. The Louisville defense did a great job of bottling up the Clemson offense and keeping the Heisman hopeful Watson in his tracks. Jackson on the other hand in the first half and really the game, did what he wanted with the Tigers defense. Disregard a couple of plays that Clemson would get under the skin of Jackson, overall he had a good game. Jackson finished with three overall touchdowns (one passing and two rushing). Jackson also had two hundred and ninety-five passing yards and one hundred and sixty-two yards on the ground. Now, for me, winning is the ultimate test of a Heisman trophy winner and especially a hopeful quarterback. Lamar Jackson had the toughest test of the year last night, and a quarterback of his skill level; while only being able to do so much should have lifted his team to grind out a tough road win. Jackson did lead a comeback with a 27-0 run to start off the second half. The valiant effort by a truly special player just wasn’t enough. Jackson will continue to impress pro scouts, because you have to keep in mind that he is only a sophomore.
For the Clemson Tigers, that were the underdog in this game, even with the trip to the National Championship last year. Dabo Swinney gave his best coaching effort of the season last night, and the Tigers proved once again that not only is it extremely tough to win in Clemson, but the Tigers are not a team you should count out. The Tigers took over Louisville’s spot as the number three team in the country and rightfully so. If anyone forgot, Clemson has a quarterback by the name of Deshawn Watson and he was a Heisman finalist last year and the probable first pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Watson finished the night with three hundred and six yards passing with five touchdowns and three interceptions. Those interceptions were head scratching and worrisome, but the touchdowns and overall work load of 20/31 passing is impressive. Watson also added fourteen rushes for ninety-one yards, and at times it looked like Louisville forgot that Watson could use his legs to extend plays.
The matchup between the two heavyweight quarterbacks seemed like a National Championship preview and very well may be. The only thing that worried me about Lamar Jackson, was the Clemson defense did get under the young QB’s skin. A prospect and talent like Jackson needs to understand the magnitude of the situation and let the refs and coaches take care of the extra stuff that isn’t football on the field. Michael Vick did say that Jackson was better than he was in college and so far you have an argument for that, but Jackson cannot have a hot head for the cheap shots in the game. Everyone has seen it on the big leagues with the matchup of Odell Beckham Jr. and Josh Norman. I can’t lie watching Lamar Jackson for the first time last night, I have to say as raw of a talent he is right now, and he is really good. The quickness and the ability to slip in and out of tackles is impressive. Not only is that but the arm strength that he possess incredible. With another year to improve his raw skills and to get experience reading defenses and getting better throwing the football. Many believe that Deshawn Watson is the best quarterback prospect since Cam Newton and that very well might be true, this kid Lamar Jackson is the real deal. If Jackson ends up getting better and showcasing the talent level that he is playing at right now, the league might be in trouble. Overall the game of college football needs more battles like the one we say last night, to truly get to the next level and compete with its bigger brother—the NFL. Great things are ahead so continue watching.
Sources:(espn.com)

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