Deshaun Watson Ties Rookie Record for Touchdowns in a Game
Once again, the former Clemson star was up to his old tricks in the NFL. In a battle with Marcus Mariotta and the Titans, the National Championship winning former Tiger Deshaun Watson got the Texans out to a 21-0 lead with 14:54 left to play in the 2nd quarter after a hot start.
Watson hit Bruce Ellington on the opening drive on a 35-yard strike to put Houston inside the 5-yard line. Watson would then pitch the ball to Lamar Miller for the Texans first touchdown of the day.
.@DeshaunWatson pitches it to @Millertime_6 for the @HoustonTexans TD! #TENvsHOU pic.twitter.com/0LchD1Tkpy
— NFL (@NFL) October 1, 2017
Houston's defense would put the ball back in Watson's hands after forcing a three-and-out. Next, the rookie quarterback led the Texans on an 11 play scoring drive capped by Watson hooking up with another former Clemson Tiger, Deandre Hopkins.
.@DeshaunWatson knows to look for @DeandreHopkins in the red zone. Another touchdown for the #Texans! #TENvsHOU pic.twitter.com/MMYSnSogCn
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) October 1, 2017
Typically the development of a quarterback in the NFL takes a significant amount of time. Deshaun Watson is proving to be a quick study. On the first play of the second quarter, Watson hooked up with former Notre Dame star Will Fuller for his second touchdown toss of the day.
.@deshaunwatson is on FIRE! He connects with @Will_Fuller7 to put the #Texans up 21-0! #TENvsHOU pic.twitter.com/aAgZ9Cfs6C
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) October 1, 2017
At the half, Watson is 14-20 for 166 yards and two touchdowns through the air. Watson has two carries for 10 yards and a one-yard touchdown run on the ground.
.@deshaunwatson will take it himself!#DW4 #WeAreTexans pic.twitter.com/5KwCjo7NXQ
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) October 1, 2017
Watson would hook up with Fuller again in the third quarter from 10 yards out, giving Watson three touchdown passes on the day.
Watson wasn't done there, however, as he would find an open Lamar Miller from 8 yards out to give him four touchdown passes on the day and five total.
Watson finished the game 25-34 for 283 yards and four touchdowns with one interception, while also rushing four times for 24 yards and a score in leading Houston to the 57-14 victory. His five total touchdowns tied an NFL rookie record, and he became the third rookie to have four passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown in a game, joining Charlie Conerly and Fran Tarkenton.
Former Clemson Tiger Deandre Hopkins had ten receptions for 107 yards and a touchdown as well in the ball game.