NCAAF teams
Andrea Adelson, ESPN Senior Writer 9y

Clemson to start QB Cole Stoudt

College Football, Clemson Tigers

No. 19 Clemson will start struggling quarterback Cole Stoudt on Saturday against Georgia State, coach Dabo Swinney said Tuesday.

With Deshaun Watson out because of a knee injury, Swinney decided to give Stout another chance to prove himself following a disastrous performance last week against Georgia Tech.

Stoudt threw three interceptions, with two returned for touchdowns, in a 28-6 loss to the Yellow Jackets. He was pulled late in the third quarter in favor of sophomore Nick Schuessler.

"Cole had a bad, day Saturday," Swinney said. "He was our MVP against Wake Forest, won the Leather Helmet. He can play better, and he will."

Stoudt began the season as the starter but quickly lost his job to Watson after the Florida StateĀ game in September. When Watson broke his finger against Louisville, Stoudt started the next three games but was not nearly as effective as Watson.

In the last five games that Stoudt got major playing time or started, Clemson has averaged 19.2 points. Watson came back to start against the Jackets, but he injured his knee in the first quarter. An MRI showed a sprained ligament and bone bruise -- not nearly as devastating as anticipated.

Swinney reiterated Tuesday that he still does not know whether Watson will be able to play next week against rival South Carolina.

"We're hopeful he can play next week, but we're not sure," Swinney said. "We expected the worst. But he's day-to-day."

^ Back to Top ^