Travis Etienne sets Clemson football record for most 100-yard games

Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images
Credit: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images /
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Travis Etienne put himself in the Clemson history books on the very first start of his senior year.

The ACC season officially kicked off this weekend, which means that college football and NFL fans got the chance to watch Clemson Tigers quarterback Trevor Lawrence, the presumptive first overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft. While Lawrence gets the majority of the attention, running back Travis Etienne makes sure you notice him during Tigers games with his elusiveness and lightning-fast speed. He did just that in Clemson’s season opener on Saturday.

In the third quarter against Wake Forest, Etienne scored a two-yard touchdown to extend Clemson’s lead to 34-3. With that carry, Etienne notched his 18th-career 100-yard game, a new program-record. The previous holder of that record was Wayne Gallman (17), current running back for the New York Giants. Now, Etienne has bragging rights.

Etienne wasn’t done making history, as he recorded a rushing touchdown in 10-straight games. He has the opportunity to further cement his legacy next week because he can tie the record for most consecutive games with a touchdown (rushing or receiving) set by Clemson alum C.J. Spiller (14).

Travis Etienne could be the first running back taken in the 2021 NFL Draft and could join Trevor Lawrence in New York as a Heisman Trophy finalist too

Upon Gallman leaving for the NFL, Etienne joined Clemson as a freshman, and the rest was history (pun intended).

In his very first season, Etienne rushed for 766 yards and 13 touchdowns on 107 carries. Those numbers were impressive, but they grew in the next two years. As a sophomore, Etienne rushed for a ludicrous 1,658 yards and 24 touchdowns on 204 attempts in 15 games with the Tigers, which included a CFP National Title. Last year, Etienne recorded 1,614 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns on 207 carries.

Etienne had the opportunity to declare for the 2020 NFL Draft but decided to return to school for one more year so he can earn his degree. Not only that, but he wanted to go on one final run with his Clemson teammates. Etienne is set to become the top running back prospect in the 2021 draft class, once he officially declares next year.

You can watch and see if Etienne ties Spiller’s record next week, as Clemson faces off against Citadel.

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