Clemson football: Takeaways from 31-3 victory at Boston College to stay unbeaten
Clemson football's defense was smothering Saturday night in a 31-3 victory against Boston College at Alumni Stadium in Chesnut Hill, Massachusetts.
The fifth-ranked Tigers (6-0, 4-0 ACC) allowed only a second-quarter field goal and dominated the second half. They sacked Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec four times and forced the ball loose from him twice. The Eagles (2-4, 1-3) had 98 yards in the first quarter and outgained Clemson, 168-131, in the first half but finished with 220 yards total offense.
Clemson's offense, meanwhile, started slowly, and it was only 3-3 late in the second quarter. But the Tigers took control with touchdowns to end the first half and start the second. Quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei passed for three touchdowns and had a 40-yard run, the longest of his career.
Clemson plays Sept. 15 (7:30 p.m., ABC) at Florida State.
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Here are some takeaways:
Clemson defense turned up the heat
Boston College, trailing by 14 points in the second half an owning the second-worst rushing game in the country behind a beat-up offensive line, was in trouble against this Clemson defense. The Tigers started to blitz more against Jurkovec and came at him from all angles. In the first half, Jurkovec had some success by moving around. There was nowhere to run in the second half. Clemson forced two sack fumbles.
Late first-half TD provided much-needed boost
For the third consecutive game, Clemson took momentum into the halftime locker room with a late score. Will Shipley's 1-yard run with 45 seconds left until the break gave the Tigers a 10-3 lead. Last week, the Tigers scored a touchdown with 31 seconds left in half for a 13-10 lead on N.C. State. Before that, it was a field goal by B.T. Potter with 14 seconds left until the break for a 20-14 lead at Wake Forest.
Explosive plays finally came, provided cushion
His receivers weren't doing him any favors, but Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei was 0-for-4 with an interception in the first half on throws of at least 10 yards. The pick was bad. It looked like 2021 Uiagalelei. But he started the second half by providing a spark. He threw a 21-yard pass to Beaux Collins on third-and-7 and then immediately went deep 38 yards to Joseph Ngata for a 17-3 lead. It seemed like an early knockout blow.
Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas is back
The return of defensive end Xavier Thomas was like Clemson signing an NFL player off the practice squad. Thomas, who has been projected as a first-round pick during his college career but saw his stock drop a bit last season, was on a mission until he injured a foot in spring. He made his long-awaited return Saturday and announced his arrival with a crushing sack that forced a fumble on third down. He had a second sack later in the game.
Punt returner Will Taylor on shaky ground
Clemson punt returner Will Taylor muffed two attempts but was able to recover both fumbles. Taylor, also a baseball outfielder, occasionally looks like he's battling the sun on a pop fly. The first drop wasn't his fault. Taylor was hit by teammate Elijay Rogers before the ball got there. It was Taylor who pounced on the loose ball at the Tigers' own 10-yard line. Antonio Williams got the next chance at punt returner, but Taylor returned only drop another.
Todd Shanesy covers Clemson athletics for the USA TODAY Network.
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football: Takeaways from 31-3 victory at Boston College
