Lawrence lifts Tigers in his return

CLEMSON, S.C. — Trevor Lawrence threw for 403 yards and two touchdowns in his first game in five weeks — and likely last one at Death Valley — as No. 3 Clemson throttled Pittsburgh 52-17 on Saturday.

Lawrence hadn’t seen the field on game day since beating Syracuse on Oct. 24. He tested positive for the coronavirus the following week and missed Clemson’s next two games, including its only loss this season — a 47-40 double-overtime defeat at No. 2 Notre Dame.

A healthy, eager Lawrence expected to play last week, but a positive test from a Clemson offensive lineman on the Friday before the game led to a postponement at Florida State just hours before kickoff.

Lawrence, a 6-foot-6 junior with a powerful arm, deft touch and flowing hair, was as crisp as ever in leading

Clemson (8-1, 7-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) a step closer to the league championship game and a likely rematch with the unbeaten Fighting Irish.

“Last night in Death Valley, super special night,” he said. “Wouldn’t want to go out any other way.”

Cornell Powell had five catches for 176 yards, including a 43-yard touchdown off a flea-flicker. Powell also had an incredible, one-handed grab on a 70-yard pass that set up Chez Mellusi’s twoyard touchdown run.