Sunday will mark Denver Broncos rookie cornerback Patrick Surtain’s first start and it will be against a familiar foe: Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawerence.

The last time the two matchup was in the national championship game when Clemson defeated Alabama 44-16, a game Surtain hasn’t forgotten.

Surtain said this about Lawerence per AP:  “We were both freshmen at the time, both young pups,” he said. “He got the edge on us.”

And boy did he. That night, Lawerence threw for 347 yards and 3 touchdowns. His performance elevated not only his Heisman Trophy chances, but his draft status as well. He went on to be one of the most prolific passers in Clemson history and eventually the No. 1 overall draft choice of the Jaguars in this year’s NFL Draft.

Surtain’s status since that game also has risen over the years. He became a unanimous All-American, the SEC Defensive Player of the Year for 2020, and was the ninth overall pick in the draft.

“He’s a great quarterback,” Surtain said. ” So, it should be a great game.”

Surtain is starting in place of cornerback Ronald Darby, who went on injured reserve with a pulled hamstring.