We noted earlier this evening that Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins was off to a slow start this season, and understandably so. He’d missed three games already due to suspension and illness. But, here the Tigers were seven games into the 2012 season and Watkins, an All-American, was without a receiving touchdown. Yes, Watkins had a pair of scores running and throwing the football, but still no touchdowns in his primary area of expertise.
That changed Thursday night in No. 14 Clemson’s 42-13 win over Wake Forest. Watkins actually matched his season total to date of 202 yards receiving against the Demon Deacons and reeled in his first touchdown of the season -- a 61-yard pass from Tajh Boyd. Most of Watkins’ numbers came in the first half, but with a 35-7 halftime lead, the game was secure by that point.
But as great as Watkins was in his 2012 coming out party, you have to talk about how efficiently Boyd played. The junior went 27-of-38 for 428 yards (a school record) and five touchdowns, all of which went to different receivers. The weapons the Tigers have on offense is borderline unfair. Clemson will have a chance to rack up big numbers with those weapons in the next few weeks against Duke, Maryland and North Carolina State (the Wolfpack actually control their own destiny in the ACC Atlantic).