BC Loses to Clemson 34-7
By Patrick Toppin
It was always going to be a tough game. The Boston College Eagles (1-3, 0-2 ACC)
entered Death Valley as 34-point underdogs to the Clemson Tigers (4-0, 2-0), with most
people not giving the Eagles a shot to cover the spread, let alone win.
But the Eagles, led by Harold Landry and the defense, gave Dabo Sweeney and the
Tigers all they could handle for three quarters. The two teams locked into a defensive
struggle in the first quarter, with neither team scoring any points. Boston College had the
opportunity to strike first following an interception. Landry forced a bad Kelly Bryant
throw and Isaac Yiadom took advantage. The Eagles could not capitalize on the field
position though, as Colton Lichtenburg missed a 43-yard field goal.
Clemson scored in the second quarter, as Bryant led the Tiger offense 96 yards
down the field and scampered in for an 11-yard touchdown. Punter Mike Knoll and the
special teams unit gave Clemson long fields all day, repeatedly forcing the Tigers to start
drives inside their own 10-yard line. The Eagles won the field position battle in part
because of their inability to get deep into Clemson territory. The team punted on Clemson’s
half of the field several times.
At the half Clemson led 7-0, and the nation was put on upset alert. BC looked like it
had a serious chance to stun the reigning national champions.
Those hopes grew further in the third quarter. The Eagles capitalized on a Michael Walker punt return and set-up shop at the Clemson 37-yard line. Anthony Brown converted a crucial 4th and 2 pass to Jon Hilliman. AJ Dillon capped off the drive with a 1-yard touchdown rush to tie the game.
Clemson scored early in the fourth quarter on an Adam Choice touchdown run as
the Tigers methodically moved down the field. The key play on the drive was a 26-yard
pass from Kelly to Diondre Overton, who managed to get a food down in bounds on a jump
ball.
After that, the wheels began to come off for the Eagles. Another great Knoll punt
pinned the Tigers at 10, but Bryant and the running game managed to get to midfield.
Then, Travis Etienne took a run up the gut and burst through to the second level. He never
looked back as his elite speed led to a 50-yard touchdown run.
BC punted on their next possession, and Ray-Ray McCloud took the punt back 56
yards to the Eagle 24. Bryant took advantage of the short field and ran it in himself to put
Clemson ahead 27-7 (Alex Spence, replacing the injured Greg Heugel, missed the extra
point). On the next drive, Steve Addazio pulled Anthony Brown, and Darius Wade’s 2 nd pass
was intercepted on the BC 41. The next Clemson drive was four straight rushes from
Etienne straight into the end zone and a 34-7 lead.
It was so close for so long, but by the end the Clemson athleticism was just too much
for the Eagles and the game got out of hand. Swinney spoke highly of Boston College after
the game, and Addazio brought up the very legitimate opinion that the final score did not
represent the game. The Eagles can certainly be proud of the effort and play they put forth
on Saturday, but at the end of the day a loss is a loss.
BC looks to get back on the winning track next Saturday against Central Michigan,
while Clemson travels to Lane Stadium to take on Virginia Tech. You can listen to the WZBC Sports Broadcast on 90.3 FM.