CHESTNUT HILL, MASS.: Saturday’s Red Bandana game festivities had the Chestnut Hill crowd geared up for a potential upset over fifth-ranked Clemson, but the Tigers shook off a slow start to overwhelm Boston College, 31-3. Clemson (6-0, 4-0) finished the night with 364 total yards, 233 of those coming in a dominant second half.
Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw for 220 yards, three touchdowns and one interception on 18 of 32 passing. Uiagalelei also carried the ball 12 times for 76 yards.
The Tigers settled for a field goal on their opening drive before the Eagles pressured and picked off Uiagalelei on the next possession. BC (2-3, 1-3) knotted the game two possessions later, but were held in check by Wes Goodwin’s defense for the rest of the evening.
Will Shipley capped off Clemson’s final drive before intermission with a 1-yard TD run, making the halftime score 10-3 in favor of Clemson. The Tigers picked up the tempo in the second half, scoring on touchdown passes of 38 (Joseph Ngata), 10 (Beaux Collins) and 13 yards (Brannon Spector).
Clemson finished 4 of 4 in the red zone while holding BC to 1 of 2 on their opportunities.
Clemson’s defense brought pressure all night, finishing with four sacks, 11 tackles for loss, and 13 QB hurries. The Tigers played without safeties Tyler Venables and RJ Mickens, cornerback Sheridan Jones, defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, and running back Kobe Pace. In his postgame comments, Dabo Swinney said Pace may miss up to four weeks with injury.
Final Stats
Here’s my view from Alumni Stadium
Clemson postgame press conference
Dabo Swinney
Offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter and QB D.J. Uiagalelei
Defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin and DE Xavier Thomas
