Clemson’s Lawrence knows he wasn’t at his best vs. Georgia Tech

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence isn’t worried and says no one else should worry, either.“I am pretty hard on myself, but I see the big picture,” he said. “I didn’t play my best, but we won the game.”

He is confident he’ll improve this week when the No. 1 Tigers (1-0) take on No. 12 Texas A&M (1-0) at Death Valley on Saturday.

Lawrence was the talk of the offseason after Clemson dispatched Alabama 44-16 in the national title game, but he didn’t look as poised in a 52-14 opening win over Georgia Tech last week. He completed 13 of 26 throws and had two interceptions after throwing just four picks all of his freshman season.

It’s all good, Lawrence said, because the Tigers have so many playmakers who can pick up those who are a little off target. Georgia Tech changed the coverage schemes, forcing Clemson to go its ground game, which put up 411 yards.“They kind of forced our hand as far as running the ball,” Lawrence said. “Which is fine because we have a great offensive line and great running backs.”

Co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott agrees. Sure, he’d like for Travis Etienne not to have had an early fumble or Lawrence to go error-free. But Scott said the players responded to their miscues with passion and effort.

Etienne, who finished with a career-high 205 yards and three TDs, went for a 90-yard score the next time he touched the ball after coughing it up. Lawrence chased down the interceptor, stopping Tre Swilling on the 3-yard line. Clemson’s defense followed with a goal-line stand.

“No doubt there’s plenty for us to learn from and for us to get better with,” Scott said.