No. 11 Clemson gets past Louisville, 20-17

Deshaun Watson threw two touchdown passes, Wayne Gallman ran for 139 yards and No. 11 Clemson held off Louisville, 20-17, on Thursday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference opener for both schools.

Despite ragged stretches including two interceptions by Watson, Clemson (3-0, 1-0) followed up routs of Wofford and Appalachian State with a solid conference win. The sophomore was spot on when needed, finding Hunter Renfrow and Jordan Leggett wide open down the middle for touchdown passes of 32 and 25 yards, respectively.

Louisville (0-3, 0-1) started its third quarterback in three games with Kyle Bolin, and used freshman Lamar Jackson and sophomore Reggie Bonnafon behind center in a search for offensive consistency. The combination kept the Cardinals within reach of Clemson long enough to have a last shot at a win, but Bolin’s desperation pass was intercepted by Jadar Johnson in the final seconds.

The ending left Clemson players and fans relieved and happy with their second straight escape over Louisville, which has its first 0-3 start since 1984.

After exiting last year’s victory over the Cardinals early because of a broken hand, Watson completed 21 of 30 passes for 199 yards. Gallman rushed 24 times for his season-high yardage and helped the Tigers outgain the Cardinals, 401-272.

Clemson also spoiled Louisville’s second nationally televised appearance in three games, one that featured the presence of former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali in his hometown.

Bolin was 19 for 34 for 238 yards with two interceptions. Clemson kept the heat on all three quarterbacks, registering five sacks.

Oklahoma State wants depositions from Texas staff

Oklahoma State has notified Texas it wants new depositions from Longhorns head Coach Charlie Strong, three members of his staff, a quarterback and former athletic director Steve Patterson if a breach-of-contract lawsuit against a Texas assistant proceeds toward trial.

Oklahoma State is suing Longhorns assistant Joe Wickline for nearly $600,000, arguing he made a lateral move to Texas in 2014 and didn’t take a promotion with “play-calling duties” as stated in his previous contract.

Strong was already deposed in March. The pursuit of new testimony from the Texas coach, one of his key players and Patterson, who was forced to resign Tuesday after less than two years on the job, is an aggressive new step by Oklahoma State in an unusual case that has angered Texas fans and pulled back the curtain on the inner workings of a major college football program.

Oklahoma State plays at Texas on Sept. 26.

Oklahoma State attorney Sean Breen told the Associated Press on Thursday night the request for new depositions depends on whether a judge sends the case to trial or it is resolved beforehand.

“The case is going to get resolved one way or another. And perhaps the new fresh air at UT means it can get resolved in a business manner instead of in a courtroom,” Breen said.

Purdue cornerbacks arrested

Police say they have arrested Purdue freshman cornerbacks Evyn Cooper and David Rose on suspicion of trying to stealing bicycles.

WLFI-TV and the Journal & Courier report Purdue police arrested Cooper on suspicion of theft and Rose on suspicion of attempted theft about 1 a.m. Wednesday on campus. The two players, both 18, were booked into Tippecanoe County Jail and released on bond.

Police Chief John Cox said Thursday he could not release any more details because it was an ongoing investigation.