What makes Clemson special? Trevor Lawrence knows.

Why would anyone be happy, all but conceding the nations highest individual award, seeing the backups play when they could be on the field padding their stats? Because Clemson is just different.

CLEMSON— While Alabama, Washington State, Ohio State, Georgia, Oklahoma are busy playing their quarterbacks all game in hopes of running up the score and placing their respective signal-caller in the conversation for the Heisman Trophy, Clemson's starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence was happy to be out of the game with 11:55 in the second quarter of last Saturday's win.

Why would anyone be happy, all but conceding the nations highest individual award, seeing the backups play when they could be on the field padding their stats? Because Clemson is just different.

"I feel like that's what makes this place special, is that Coach Swinney, the way he runs his program and the way our team is, that guys get opportunities, and I love that," Lawrence said. "If I was in their shoes, I would want the same thing. So I feel like I look at it that way, and really just happy for those guys, that they get a chance."

It is that attitude that makes Clemson a unique place, where a five-star quarterback who was the Heisman favorite entering the season will get as much enjoyment out of seeing a backup quarterback throw a touchdown pass to a backup wide receiver as he does throwing for 400 yards and five touchdowns. 

"Hopefully, you know, it does resonate throughout college football that it's not about stats, you know, it's about managing your locker room, creating a culture... that's the culture that we have in place," co-offensive coordinator Tony Elliott said. "Coach believes in giving guys an opportunity to play that deserve to play, and we reward those guys for the way that they work in practice. 

"And so, you know, that's something that we believe in wholeheartedly, starting at the top of Coach Swinney, all the way down to the coaches through the locker room. And if it catches on, it catches on... but really we're focusing on ourselves. But, you know, here recently we've had a chance to kind of impact college football a little bit."

That culture is not fake at Clemson. And, for Lawrence, he gets as much enjoyment cheering on his teammates as he does tossing touchdowns. 

"(I spend my time on the sidelines) Encouraging. Cheering the guys on. It was really cool," Lawrence said. "Games like (Charlotte) are fun, and it's awesome to see a lot of the guys get to play that usually don't get an opportunity, that work really hard. So I love getting to see my friends and teammates go out there and do well."

The Tigers played an incredible five quarterbacks in Saturday's 52-10 win, but the most meaningful snaps came on the Tigers' final drive, when walk-on Patrick McClure entered the game.

McClure, began his collegiate career at Jacksonville University in 2017 prior to transferring to Clemson in 2018. However, for Swinney seeing him in the game was a special moment—especially when you understand what he has been through.

"(It was cool to get) McClure in there at the end," Swinney said. "You know, he was a kid it tore his ACL at the Cotton Bowl, you know out there in the dome getting ready for the game. He's just a scout team quarterback tears his ACL and you know for him to work his way all the way back from an ACL and have an opportunity to get in a game you know that's just that's just really cool."

It was not only Swinney who thought it was great to see McClure take the field Saturday.

"Means a lot. He's in our meeting room every day, and it's a guy that I'm with that I'm friends with," Lawrence said. "Like I was saying, it's just really cool to see him get an opportunity. He does a lot for this team and this program, as far as whatever it may be, scout team, in our meetings, contributing that way. He does a lot, and a lot of work that's not seen. It's like that with a lot of guys on the team, too, so it's cool to see them get an opportunity to get to play in front of everyone. It's really cool.

While the fanbase is busy trying to figure out the names of the 111 players that Clemson played Saturday, a small faction is worried that the quick pulling of the starters will create rust or inconsistency later in the season. 

But, at least for Lawrence, they need not worry.

"Obviously, in-game experience is important. But if I have that, and then also during the week, that's when I get my reps," Lawrence said. "I feel like I really get a lot better during practice and all of that. Then obviously the game, that helps a lot too. But I feel like I played ... play enough. Played a few drives, and things were going well. It was cool to see guys get their opportunity and get a chance to play."