With the help of former Clemson Tigers in their backfield, the Jacksonville Jaguars used two key performances from former Tigers to knock off the San Fransico 49ers.
During Sunday’s 26-21 win over the 49ers, Jacksonville was propelled by its two former Clemson football stars in its backfield to help it grab its third win on the season. Running back Travis Etienne Jr. and quarterback Trevor Lawrence were key for the Jaguars in their win over the 49ers on Sunday, with Etienne Jr. getting the job done on the ground and Lawrence protecting the ball while managing the passing game.
Finishing the game as the leading rusher, the former Clemson Tiger, Etienne Jr., posted 124 rushing yards on 19 carries, also adding a rushing touchdown to his stat line. 48 of his 124 rushing yards came on Etienne Jr.’s 48-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter to open the scoring for the Jaguars. Etienne Jr.’s 48-yard carry was the first and last play of the Jaguars’ drive after starting their possession after a 49er turnover.
Slidin’@swaggy_t1 | #JAXvsSF on FOXpic.twitter.com/69Fo6bqj2o
— Jacksonville Jaguars (@Jaguars) September 28, 2025
Etienne Jr.’s backfield mate, Lawrence, did enough to help secure the win over the 49ers. Lawrence went 21-31 (67.7 completion percentage) with 174 passing yards and a passing touchdown to Hunter Long. Lawrence protected the ball by not throwing an interception or having a fumble on his seven carries (seven rushing yards).
As Clemson’s third all-time passing yards leader (10,098 passing yards), only behind Tajh Boyd and Deshaun Watson, in program history, Lawrence has cemented himself as one of the best quarterbacks in program history. The current Jaguars’ starting quarterback played three seasons at Clemson before being selected first overall in the 2021 NFL Draft.
For Etienne Jr., he is Clemson’s all-time rushing leader in program history. In his four seasons, Etienne Jr. finished his collegiate career with 4,952 rushing yards, an average of 1,238 rushing yards per season. Etienne Jr. is also the program leader in rushing touchdowns and scrimmage touchdowns as a running back. Etienne Jr. was drafted 25th overall in the same draft as his college and NFL teammate Lawrence.
Etienne Jr. and Lawrence are the mainstays in the Jaguars’ offense. The former Clemson teammates have been successful together in the NFL and are looking to take the next step towards making a deep playoff push.