As he broke into the open field midway through the fourth quarter in last Saturday’s win at Syracuse, it appeared Deshaun Watson was going to make a house call. After stiff arming a defender, the Clemson quarterback cleared the second level and the only thing that stood between him and the end zone was a lot of green turf.

But as he went to move the ball from his left arm to his right, his leg hit it, causing him to lose control so he just went down to the ground to secure it. The gain was 39 yards, but Syracuse was lucky that it was not 85.

In the last two week, Watson and top-ranked Clemson have exhibited his ability to run, especially when the Tigers need it the most. Against Florida State he rushed for 107 yards to key a Clemson victory and then against Syracuse he had 101 yards.

In the last four games, Watson has gained 360 of his 594 rushing yards.

So what’s the difference? Why is he running the football more? Is the knee just responding better or is it just the way the games are being called.

“I was comfortable at the beginning of the season, too,” Watson said. “We had Wayne and a whole bunch of running backs at the time and (the coaches) just want me to get a feel of the game.

“At the beginning of the year, the first few games, I only played a half so there was no need for me to run the ball. It just depends on the situation of the game. I’m comfortable now like I was at the beginning of the year.”

But is he faster now? Earlier in the season at Miami, he broke into the open field for a 66-yard run, but was caught from behind and pushed out of pounds before he could get to the end zone. Fast forward three weeks later, and it seemed like no one was going to catch him during his long run against Syracuse.

Watson also seems shiftier than he was at the start of the season. He seems to be able to move laterally faster and better than before. Case in point, when he broke off several long runs against FSU, defenders were in position to make plays. But Watson was able to make them miss.

“I guess you can say that, but I’m just having more opportunities to run the ball now, and depending on the game plan and what the coaching staff wants me to do,” he said. “I’m just taking advantage of it. Coach (Joey) Batson and those guys down there are making sure we are staying in shape, keeping our speed up, staying strong and making sure we can compete at an elite level at this time of the year.”

With the added threat of his running ability, plus the fact he is still the most accurate passer in the ACC and lights opponents up with 300-plus passing games, Watson has shot up the Heisman Trophy list, and is one of the favorites as they into the last two weeks of the regular season.

“For me, with all the Heisman talk and all that is going on, I just worry about myself and my teammates,” Watson said. “I don’t worry about all the outside stuff. That stuff is going to take care of itself so it is what it is and I just keep playing ball.”

And doing that with his refined running game, just might land him in New York.

“It would be an honor. It would be another step on where I want to be and a goal I want to achieve,” Watson said. “If it happens, then my family and myself, the coaching staff and teammates will enjoy it and we will celebrate it.”