Diondre Overton caught three passes against Boston College for 119 yards, Saturday, all went for touchdowns. (Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA)
Clemson came out of the blocks fast and blew Boston College off the line in a 59-7 victory, Saturday. BC would have preferred a wrestling match, but this contest quickly became a track meet and Clemson is built for speed. Running back Travis Etienne rushed for 109 yards and 3 touchdowns before handing the baton to receiver Diondre Overton who totaled 119 yards and tied a school record with 3 receiving touchdowns. Overton was named the game’s MVP and received the O’Rourke-McFadden trophy. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, unburdened in the pocket, hit 16 of 19 passes for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns. The outcome was decided by the end of the first quarter (17-0) and the game was a rout by halftime (38-7).
The Tigers (8-0) again took the opportunity to empty the bench in the second half of a one-sided game. Quarterback Chase Brice completed 8 of 16 passes for 97 yards and a touchdown. Thirteen different receivers caught a pass and 23 different defenders recorded a tackle in front of the Homecoming crowd. The statistics were as gaudy as the final score as the Tigers put up 674 total yards and 302 yards rushing.
Clemson takes a break from ACC play next week, playing host to FCS level Wofford at 4 p.m. The Tigers are back in conference action at NC State on Nov. 9th.
Amari Rodgers was a speed mismatch for Boston College and provided one of many offensive highlights with a 2nd-quarter catch and run. (Travis Bell/SIDELINE CAROLINA)
Notes from Clemson victory
It was offensive line coach Robbie Caldwell’s 500th game. He was presented with a cake in the locker room and was compelled to dance … to “Apple Bottom Jeans” by Flo Rida and T-Pain.
Boston College running back AJ Dillon totaled 76 yards rushing, making him BC’s all-time leader in career rushing yards with 3,741 yards.
Clemson defensive end Logan Rudolph, younger brother of Steelers quarterback Mason Rudolph, returned a fumble for a touchdown in the 3rd quarter.
The game got out of hand early and Clemson held a 394-119 total yardage advantage at halftime. Perhaps more telling, the Tigers advantage in first downs was 24-7 at intermission.
Running back Travis Etienne followed up his 192-yard performance at Louisville with 109 yards against Boston College. Etienne had 92 of those yards and three touchdowns by halftime.
Linebacker Isaiah Simmons tackled an Eagles running back as Boston College was attempting a flea flicker, causing a fumble. Then Simmons sacked the quarterback before he could get the pass off. It is another on the list of uniquely athletic plays he has made this season.
Clemson’s athletic group of receivers drew three pass interference penalties in the game’s first eight minutes.
The Tigers opened the game with a flea flicker, drawing a pass interference penalty, reminiscent of the halfback pass on the opening drive against Florida State two weeks prior.
Defensive coordinator Brent Venables’ unit limited Boston College to 177 yards, the fewest for any Clemson opponent this season.
Clemson did not commit a turnover in a game for the first time this season.
