CLEMSON: Clemson went north last weekend to Chapel Hill. This weekend the Tigers will travel to the northern most point of the ACC, Boston. The Tigers will face Boston College Saturday night at 7:30 seeking their second straight win and a return to the .500 mark on the season.
This will be the first meeting between the teams since 2022, and the second straight meeting at Alumni Stadium.
Dabo Swinney said after the win at North Carolina that the Tigers played their best game. Tuesday, he said the Tigers will need a similar performance to beat the Eagles for a 13th straight time overall and sixth straight in Chestnut Hill.
Despite a 1-4 start, Swinney said BC will be a tough out due to a talented quarterback, a big offensive line and a physical defense.
The Eagles are coming off a 48-7 shellacking at the hands of Pitt last Saturday. Much like the Clemson game at North Carolina, this one was over by halftime with Pitt leading 31-0. The Eagles managed just 216 total yards.
Quarterback Dylan Lonergan, a Georgia native Clemson and South Carolina showed interest in before he eventually signed with Alabama, was replaced in the third quarter by Grayson James after completing just 9-of-18 passes for 89 yards. Despite that, Lonergan still ranks 5th in the ACC and 27th nationally at 255 passing yards per game.
The Eagles don’t run the ball well, but when they do run, Northwestern High grad Turbo Richard is the guy. He has 331 yards and four touchdowns so far this season.
Key comments from Swinney
- Eagles are much better than their 1-4 record, some heartbreaking losses, they’ve competed their butts off, they’ve had a lot of guys out on defense.
- BC is a few plays from 4-1; probably the best OL they’ve faced, big and strong; running back is from Rock Hill; have good receivers including one who is an NFL prospect and another who is going to be the alltime leading receiver for BC.
- If you don’t know anything about the record, you just watch the tape, BC is very good on offense and strong and physical on defense, good linebackers, tight coverage in the secondary; they know and believe in their scheme.
- Randall has been better than they thought; he’s making plays in all area; he’s given them an opportunity to win; Parker had his best game of the season at UNC and was their defensive player of the game.
- BC QB Dylan Lonergan is someone they know, he’s from Georgia and he was in their camp, he loves to push it down the field and take some shots; Bill O’Brien always has a dynamic offense.
- Got a look at some young offensive linemen against UNC, really liked what he saw from Sewell when he played some center; Blanchard was only OL they held because they are saving his four games as long as possible, they are high on him.