Deshaun Watson scores four TDs as Clemson routs NC State, 41-0

On Saturday Vic Beasley looked like Vic Beasley again.

Clemson’s consensus All-American defensive end didn’t look so dominant for much of the early season. Six sacks in four games were solid, but there was no virtuoso play to lift everyone out of their seats.

Then “the snatch” happened in the third quarter against N.C. State. With the Tigers leading 34-0 early in the second half this game might have already been over. It certainly was after Beasley blindsided Wolfpack quarterback Jacoby Brissett, stripped him of the ball and ran unimpeded 16 yards into the end zone.

That touchdown accounted for the final score – Clemson 41, N.C. State 0 – played to 78,459 ecstatic fans at Death Valley.

“We’ve been trying to get a shutout this whole year,” Beasley said post-game, still clutching the football he ripped away from Brissett. “Coach (Dabo) Swinney ask us for a total game and that’s what we gave him – offense, defense and special teams.”

Beasley has 28 career sacks, most among active FBS players. But he was hugging that football Saturday like he might never put it down.

“I only got two in my career, so I really cherish these moments,” Beasley said.

The Tigers (3-2 overall and 2-1 in the ACC) expected a tough game from a Wolfpack squad that entered this game 4-1 and gave Florida State a scare a week ago.

Instead the defense held N.C. State to just 38 yards and five first downs in the first half. Meanwhile freshman quarterback Deshaun Watson, making his second college start, threw for two touchdowns in the first half and ran for two more.

Watson found wide receiver Mike Williams for touchdown connections of 56 and 31 yards in the first quarter. Watson was following up a debut in which he threw a Clemson record six touchdown passes in a victory over North Carolina.

“There are a lot of one-on-one opportunities out there,” Williams said of beating the coverage for long completions. “(Watson) trusts me to go get the ball.”

Watson completed 17 of 29 passes for 267 yards. He also ran 15 times for 62 yards. Offensive coordinator Chad Morris said Watson is at his best when he’s on the move.

“He’s more of a threat that way because he keeps his eyes down the field,” Morris said.”"You just let him make plays. He’s more dangerous outside the pocket. Most quarterbacks at that point just become runners. He keeps looking for the pass.”

Brissett demonstrated similar ability to extend plays against Florida State. But the Tigers bottled him up and made him a non-factor. Brissett completed four of 18 passing attempts for 35 yards and he was sacked three times.

N.C. State’s best chance to score was at the end of the first half when the Wolfpack came within two yards of the end zone. But a delay-of-game penalty pushed the ball back five yards and Brissett’s pass as the half expired went out the back of the end zone.

“We smacked their quarterback around and he’s a pretty great player,” said Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables. “We played four quarters today. That shutout was a byproduct of doing everything else right.”

The topper on all that was Beasley’s signature takeaway.

“Vic is a great player,” Venables said, “a special player with a unique skill set.”

This story was originally published October 4, 2014 at 6:54 PM with the headline "Deshaun Watson scores four TDs as Clemson routs NC State, 41-0."