All He Does is Make Plays and Score Touchdowns

3 min readNov 7, 2020

Since 2011, the Clemson Tigers have achieved tremendous success on college football’s biggest stage. They have recruited at a high level, year in, and year out. Tahj Boyd, Deshaun Watson, and Trevor Lawrence at quarterback. Andre Ellington and Wayne Gallman at running back. Lawrence gets the bulk of the press and publicity. But there is one player who seemingly doesn’t get enough recognition. All he does is make plays and score touchdowns.

A Tiger of a Different Stripe

Make Plays

A native of Jennings, LA, Travis Etienne signed with Clemson after his home state school LSU got into his recruitment too late in the process. He is now the all-time rushing leader in ACC history, surpassing the previous mark held by former N.C. State running back Ted Brown that stood for 42 years. His career yardage mark now stands at 4644 with 65 career touchdowns. And counting.

But his best skills could be his durability and his pass-catching ability, a skill that is coveted by NFL teams. Etienne has 1001 career receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.

Top Performances

2017

766 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns.

Kent State: 8 carries, 81 yds, 1 TD, 10 yds per carry.
Louisville: 6 carries, 98 yds, 1 TD, 16 yds per carry.
Syracuse: 5 carries, 68 yds, 1 TD, 13 yards per carry.
Boston College: 9 carries, 113 yds, 2 TDs, 12 yds per carry.
2 other games with 2 rushing TDs.
Averaged 7.16 yards per carry for the season.

2018

1658 yards, 24 TDs

7 games of 100+ yards rushing.
3 consecutive games with 3 rushing TDs.
5 games with 2 rushing TDs.
Syracuse: 27 carries, 203 yds, 3 TDs.
Pitt: 12 carries, 156 yds, 2 TDs, 13 yards per carry.
Notre Dame (National Semifinal): 14 carries, 109 yds, 1 TD, 7 yds per carry.
Alabama (National Championship Game): 14 carries, 86 yds, 2 TDs, 6 yds per carry.
Averaged 8.13 yards per carry for the season.

2019

1614 yards, 19 TDs

Ga. Tech: 12 carries 205 yds, 3 TDs, 17 yds per carry.
Florida State: 17 carries, 127 yds, 7 yds per carry.
Louisville: 14 carries, 192 yds, 1 TD, 13 yds per carry.
Wofford: 9 carries, 212 yards, 2 TDs, 23 yds per carry.
Boston College: 16 carries, 109 yds, 3 TDs.
Virginia (ACC Championship Game): 14 carries, 114 yards, 1 TD, 8 yds per carry.
Ohio State (CFP National Semifinal): 3 catches, 98 yds, 2 TDs, 1 rushing TD, 32 yds per catch.
LSU (National Championship Game): 15 carries, 78 yds, 1 TD.
2 other games with 2 rushing TDs.
Averaged 7.16 yds per carry for the season.

2020

606 yards, 9 TDs

vs #11 Miami: 149 yds, 2 TDs, 8.76 yds per carry.
Syracuse: 86 yds, 3 TDs.
Virginia: 5 rec, 114 yds, 1 TD, 22 yards per catch.
Boston College: 7 rec, 140 yds, 1 TD, 20 yards per catch.

Can He Make Plays in the Biggest Game of the Year?

Tonight, they take on the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame in South Bend. A Top 5 matchup. It will be a Top 10 defense against a Top 5 scoring machine.

Etienne will be running against a Fighting Irish defense that is allowing opponents just 93 yards per game on the ground. But, he can beat you with his legs and he can beat you with his hands catching passes.