Clemson Football: 3 takeaways from Week 14 rivalry win at South Carolina

3. Trevor Lawrence putting everything together

It has been a weird sophomore season for Trevor Lawrence. Entering the year the Clemson quarterback was one of the favorites to win the Heisman Trophy, and talk was that he would go first overall in the NFL Draft as soon as he was eligible to go pro.

That talk tempered a bit, as Lawrence threw twice as many interceptions through his first 11 games of 2019 as he threw all season in the national title run as a freshman. At the same time, he averages nearly a full yard more per attempt as he pushes the ball downfield and completes nearly three percent more of his passing attempts.Entering the Battle for the Palmetto State in Columbia, Lawrence boasted a passer efficiency rating more than 14 points higher than in 2018.

In the win over the Gamecocks, the Tigers star went 26-of-36 for 295 yards and three touchdowns. Eviscerating the South Carolina secondary, Lawrence expertly guided the offense as he got great production and put the ball right where his receivers could beat their marker. He also showed off his wheels, avoiding pressure and busting off 66 yards on eight keepers. The only real question was why he remained in the game once it proved out of reach for the Gamecocks.

After a slow start to the 2019 season, Lawrence is putting everything together at the right time. Heading into the ACC title game, he remains the catalyst for Clemson on offense. Against a middle-of-the-road Virginia secondary, Lawrence could put up huge numbers as he continues to play at a championship level at just the right time for the Tigers.