ACC QBS set to battle
Lawrence healthy for game vs. Book
Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, wearing a mask and standing on the sideline, watched his Notre Dame counterpart Ian Book rally the Fighting Irish to a dramatic victory last month.
Lawrence is expected to play a major role in what happens in the rematch when the second-ranked Fighting Irish (10-0, 9-0 ACC; No. 2 CFP) take on No. 4 Clemson (9-1, 8-1; No. 3 CFP) in the ACC championship game on Saturday in Charlotte, N.C.
Sidelined with COVID -19, Lawrence was a spectator in Notre Dame’s 47-40 double-overtime victory in November — Clemson’s lone loss this season. Lawrence traveled with the team to Indiana and gave advice to his backup, freshman DJ Uiagalelei, throughout the game.
It gave Lawrence a perspective of the game he usually doesn’t have and it left him very impressed with Book’s play.
“In big games like that, a quarterback has to play well to win and he played great,” Lawrence said. “He extended plays really well, made some big throws. I’ve got a lot of respect for him.”
It was a huge game, and there may be even more on the line this time.
Lawrence will look to lead the Tigers to a sixth consecutive league championship game — an unprecedented feat in the Power Five era. Fans should expect him to lead the way with his calm demeanor, strong arm and knack for making big plays at the most important times.
Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly said his team has heard too often about
Lawrence’s absence in that first game; he’s eager to face a healthy Lawrence.
“We recognize (Lawrence) is a great football player, and to have him on the field certainly is what you want in the championship game,” Kelly said.
Signing day: As Alabama, Ohio State, Clemson, Oregon, Notre Dame, Oklahoma and Florida prepared to play for conference championships, they signed top-10 recruiting classes for 2021 they hope to fuel their next title contenders. Alabama is on the way to having the highest-rated class in the country. The Buckeyes are not far behind. And it starts at the top. According to 247 Sports’ composite player rankings, there are 34 five-stars recruits in the class of 2021. As of late Wednesday afternoon, Alabama had signed five of them and was expected to land at least one more. Ohio State landed five five-stars. Georgia, which has been pushing Alabama in the Southeastern Conference but not yet been able to get over the hump, has four five-stars in the fold. Only Clemson, Miami and LSU also signed multiple fivestars.
Coastal Carolina: The school locked up coach Jamey Chadwell, extending his contract through 2027, a move to take the 43-year coach off the market for Power Five openings like Auburn. Financial terms were not disclosed.