Clemson Tigers vs Boston College Eagles Football Recap

Clemson 36, Boston College 14

Clemson survived a scare, but not necessarily on the scoreboard, in a 36-14 win over Boston College to move to 6-0 (3-0 ACC).

Up 23-7 just minutes into the third quarter, Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd rolled right on second-and-goal and hit tight end Dwayne Allen for a short pass, but took a vicious hit to his left leg, keeping him on the turf until he was carried off the field and eventually carted to the locker room.

Tests (MRI and X-rays) done during and post-game didn’t show the dreaded knee injury – both coming up negative with a strained hip diagnosis according to the school, leaving Boyd just “probable” for next week’s trip to Maryland.

The sophomore first-year starter was on pace for a career game, hitting 16-for-26 passes for 283 yards, two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing) and led Clemson in rushing yards at the half (46).

A 25-yard third-down completion to wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins and 29-yard connection with wide receiver Jaron Brown set up Boyd’s first touchdown pass, to a wide-open Brown, for an early 7-0 lead.

As Boston College’s offense stalled repeatedly, the Tigers added a 38-yard Chandler Catanzaro field goal, and a 14-yard touchdown rush by Boyd after BC quarterback Chase Rettig fumbled at his 16-yard line.

With Clemson up 20-0 in the second quarter, the Eagles put together their first sustained drive, going 10 plays and 80 yards – capped by a 20-yard touchdown rush by running back Rolandan Finch.

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The fateful Tajh Boyd injury play came on Clemson’s opening drive of the second half, two plays after an acrobatic 62-yard catch by Clemson wide receiver Sammy Watkins over the head of a BC defender. Freshman backup quarterback Cole Stoudt came in firing on his first play with a pass to the endzone, where the receiver couldn’t stay inbounds on the catch, setting up a field goal and 26-7 lead.

After trading punts, the Eagles (1-5, 0-3 ACC) hit the scoreboard again with a 24-yard strike over the middle of the field from Rettig to wide receiver Bobby Swigert, bringing Boston College within 12 points with 5:09 to go in the third quarter.

The Tigers tacked on another field goal, but Boston College remained within two possessions into the fourth quarter – they just needed one more score to put the game away.

Clemson running back Andre Ellington delivered those points – on fourth-and-one from the BC 35, Ellington hit the edge and carried on to the endzone untouched for the nail in the coffin, the Tigers taking a 36-14 lead with 11:24 to go.

The fast-paced spread of Tiger offensive coordinator Chad Morris took only slowed a bit when Boyd went down and the true freshman Stoudt entered – racking up 500 yards. Stoudt was a solid 6-for-10 with 37 passing yards in his first game-action since the season opener against Troy.

Clemson’s freshman receiver Watkins continued his tremendous start with his third game with 140 receiving yards or more, catching seven passes for 152 yards (his fourth game with seven or more receptions).

Tigers kicker Chandler Catanzaro hit 5-of-5 field goal attempts on the game with a long of 47.

Boston College receiver Bobby Swigert was the MVP for the Eagles with seven catches for 93 yards and a touchdown.

By: Brandon Rink
DFN Sports Staff Writer