David Perez // Alumnus
Former Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence dominated in Week 5 against the Chiefs, throwing for 250 total yards and scoring the game-winning touchdown on the ground.
In a “Monday Night Football” thriller on Oct. 6, the Jacksonville Jaguars stunned the struggling Kansas City Chiefs at home 31-28.
The match was a shootout down to the wire. The game finished with none other than a highlight-reel stumble into the end zone by Jaguars quarterback and former Clemson alumnus, Trevor Lawrence.
The Clemson legend, who turned 26 years old that same night, was the game changer in the victory. Lawrence threw for 221 yards and one touchdown, and even took 10 carries himself for 54 yards and two touchdowns.
Lawrence’s fifth interception of the year came in a controversial wide-open pick by cornerback Trent McDuffie. Viewers begged for pass interference on Chiefs safety Jaden Hicks, who seemed to have shoved Jaguars receiver Parker Washington down off of his route.
Lawrence took great pride in his running ability during the game, and believes he missed too many opportunities to rush in the Week 4 victory over the San Francisco 49ers. The strategy shift came after a rocky beginning to the pass game for the Jaguars, with Lawrence taking the lead role in identifying a way to overcome the pressure.
“That’s our greatest asset on third down besides guys getting open in coverage,” Lawrence said after the game. “The defensive schemes are really good, and sometimes they cover all the guys, and our O-line has been blocking really well, so being able to escape, use my legs, make the defense defend the whole field … made a big impact for us tonight.”
With 30 seconds left in the fourth quarter, down 28-24 on the goal line, Lawrence went to drop back into the pocket and was stepped on by Jaguars guard Patrick Mekari. As he stumbled down, the play seemed like a usual choke by a team facing too much pressure and an easy sack. Yet, Lawrence got up like it was nothing and set his sights on the end zone.
Touchdown, Jaguars. Game, set, match.
The amazement even hit Chiefs lineman Chris Jones, who witnessed Lawrence get up and decided not to move to tackle him.
“It’s a goofy finish, but what a tough moment for him to be able to say he wasn’t going to lose, and that’s kind of really what it comes down to,” Jaguars head coach Liam Coen said. “He wasn’t going to lose, and he made an unbelievable individual effort that hopefully can continue to springboard us.”
The play brought many football fans back to the 2018-2020 era — a confident, winning Lawrence who once donned the orange and purple himself. It was simply a flash of the No. 1 draft pick he was in 2021, Lawrence ready to lead his team to a deep playoff run.
Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney weighed in on the game during his Tuesday press conference.
“That’s the game (Trevor) needed,” Swinney remarked. “You know, Monday Night Football against Mahomes, birthday … if you’re gonna win it, you’re gonna have to make some throws in that window right there.
“That was a complete disaster in the last play, getting stepped on, and somehow or another, he got up untouched and was able to get in there. He made some big plays with his legs.”
Trevor Lawrence has had a solid fifth year with the Jaguars and under his third NFL head coach. He’s thrown 1,066 passing yards, he’s ranked No. 14 in the league and has thrown six touchdowns this season. Despite needing to learn a relatively new playbook year after year, Lawrence has led the Jaguars to a strong 4-1 start.
The Jaguars sit atop the AFC South, rivaled by the unexpected 4-1 Indianapolis Colts, led by quarterback Daniel Jones. Yet, Jacksonville has shown strength in its record, defeating the 49ers and the Chiefs, reigning AFC champion, in consecutive games.
The Jaguars will have a similarly stressful road ahead, with games against the Seattle Seahawks and Los Angeles Rams next, and later the Los Angeles Chargers in mid-November.
If Lawrence continues to show his leadership through the rest of the season, the Clemson alumnus may see a decent playoff run heading his way.