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Clemson Quarterback Lawrence Named Offensive MVP
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence received the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic’s J. Curtis Sanford Offensive MVP Award after leading the No. 2 Tigers to a 30-3 win over third-ranked Notre Dame.
The freshman threw for 327 yards, completing 27 of 39 passes – marks that each rank fifth all-time in Cotton Bowl Classic history. Lawrence threw for three touchdown passes, which is tied for third (with seven other players) in the bowl’s history.
Lawrence set a Cotton Bowl Classic halftime record with 264 passing yards. All three of Lawrence’s touchdown passes came in the second quarter. He hit freshman Justyn Ross for scores from 52 and 42 yards out and completed a 19-yard touchdown pass to sophomore Tee Higgins with two seconds remaining in the first half.
“It makes it a lot easier on me when you have guys all around you that are just great players and take that load off of you,” Lawrence said. “There’s not much pressure when you have guys this good playing around you.”
Lawrence became the second player to pass for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns in a College Football Playoff game. His three touchdown passes are also a CFP semifinal record.
With one game still to play this season, Lawrence has now thrown for 2,933 yards and 27 touchdowns this year, completing 65 percent of his passes (239-of-365).
“Trevor, him and number eight (Justyn Ross) got it going early,” said Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. “That was the spark that we needed, and the big plays were definitely the difference in the game. I’m really proud of Trevor and his poise and how he managed the game the whole way through.”
With the win, Clemson advanced to the CFP National Championship Game which will be played on Monday, Jan. 7 in Santa Clara, California. The bout will mark the Tigers’ third appearance in the title game in the last four years.
The Sanford MVP Trophy is named in memory of Goodyear Cotton Bowl Founder J. Curtis Sanford, who was inducted into the inaugural class of the Goodyear Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame in 1998.
