Clemson vs. BC live updates: Tigers roar back from 18-point deficit, defeat Eagles
Clemson faces Boston College at noon Saturday on ABC. The State’s Matt Connolly is inside Memorial Stadium to report on the game. Follow our news and score updates here.
Final: Clemson 34, Boston College 28
The Tigers overcame an 18-point deficit — the largest in a home win since 1966. Freshman quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei threw for 342 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.
Thomas ejected for targeting
Clemson’s Xavier Thomas was ejected for targeting midway through the fourth quarter of Saturday’s game against Boston College. Thomas was called for targeting on Boston College QB Phil Jurkovec. The play wiped out an interception.Thomas will have to sit out the first half of next week’s game at Notre Dame.
Etienne TD: Clemson 32, Boston College 28
After breaking the ACC’s all-time rushing record, Travis Etienne kept motoring down the field, giving Clemson the lead on a 17-yard touchdown run. The Tigers burned through two timeouts as they tried to scheme a play for a two-point conversion, then B.T. Potter missed the extra-point attempt.
Etienne breaks ACC record
Clemson running back Travis Etienne became the ACC’s all-time leading rusher on a 16-yard run on the final play of the third quarter. Etienne broke a record previously held by N.C. State’s Ted Brown, who rushed for 4,602 yards from 1975-78. Etienne entered the game 43 yards away from the record.
Rodgers TD: Boston College 28, Clemson 26
Starting in place of Trevor Lawrence, D.J. Uiagalelei has thrown for 301 yards and two passing touchdowns, adding his second on an 8-yard pass to Amari Rodgers.
Uiagalelei TD: Boston College 28, Clemson 20
D.J. Uiagalelei is heating up. The freshman quarterback broke free for a 30-yard touchdown run, narrowing BC’s lead and opening the first half on a strong note.
BT Potter field goal, but BC leads Clemson at the half
Boston College leads No. 1 Clemson 28-13 at halftime. Tigers kicker BT Potter hit from 50 just before the half. According to ESPN, head coach Dabo Swinney “is 1-11 as Clemson’s head coach when trailing by double digits at the half.”
Joe Tessitore son in on fake field goal, Eagles add another touchdown
John Tessitore, son of play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore, executed a fake field goal to perfection, drawing Clemson offsides. Quarterback Phil Jurkovec followed up the play with a touchdown throw to C.J. Lewis, giving the Eagles a 28-10 lead over the No. 1 team in the country.
Potter FG: Boston College 21, Clemson 10
The Tigers inched somewhat closer, thanks to kicker B.T. Potter hitting from the 33-yard line. The Tigers offense is still finding its footing with D.J. Uiagalelei under center.
Sebastian TD after Etienne fumble: Boston College 21, Clemson 7
Clemson tailback Travis Etienne fumbled the ball at the goal-line, and Eagles cornerback Brandon Sebastian recovered the ball and ran it 97 yards for a mometum-shifting touchdown.
Uiagalelei off to strong start
Clemson quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei played well in the first quarter, making good decisions and throwing the ball accurately. Uiagalelei’s first career touchdown pass came early in the first quarter when he hit Travis Etienne out of the backfield for a 35-yard score. The freshman recognized the blitz on the play and made a quick decision. Uiagalelei finished the first quarter 11 of 13 passing for 112 yards and a touchdown.
Bailey TD: Boston College 14, Clemson 7
Clemson hadn’t trailed in a game all season before today. Now, the Tigers trail for the second time in one game. Phil Jurkovec is up to 107 yards passing, setting up an easy one-yard run for a touchdown from running back David Bailey.
Etienne TD: Clemson 7, Boston College 7
Running back Travis Etienne broke the FBS record for most games with a touchdown, with 42. Freshman quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei found him for a 35-yard reception.
Jurkovec TD: Boston College 7, Clemson 0
Boston College wasted no time, as quarterback Phil Jurkovec pushed the ball down field with three completions for 59 yards. He connected with receiver Zay Flowers for the touchdown.
No new COVID positives for Clemson
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney, in an interview on ESPN’s College GameDay Saturday morning, said there were no new positive COVID-19 tests from Friday’s round of results. Clemson tests Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence tested positive on Wednesday, and Swinney credited Clemson’s “awesome” protocols from preventing a spread on the team.
3 Clemson defensive starters out vs. BC
While there were no new positive tests from Friday, Clemson does have other players out. Starting linebackers James Skalski and Mike Jones Jr. will not play against BC. And starting defensive tackle Tyler Davis is also out with an injury. Skalski is Clemson’s leader and a player Swinney described as “the heart and soul” of the defense. Davis was named second-team All-ACC last year as a true freshman.
Trevor Lawrence zoomed with Clemson team Friday
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney told ESPN pregame that quarterback Trevor Lawrence addressed the team Friday on a zoom call. Lawrence is currently in isolation.
“We Zoomed him in. He’s doing well, he’s just disappointed he can’t play today,” Swinney said.
What Dabo expects from Uiagalelei
Clemson’s head coach believes the freshman quarterback will make the most of his opportunity during his first start on Saturday.
“He’ll play well. He’s been here since January. He’s a very, very smart young man,” Swinney told ESPN pregame. “He’s got a great football presence to him. He’s prepared. He’s played six games. He’s got some experience. It’ll be a big deal. He’s got some nerves.”
Will Trevor Lawrence be ready to play vs. Notre Dame?
Swinney was asked this by ESPN during pregame and said he is not concerned with that right now.
“I don’t know anything right now other than we’re getting ready to kick this thing off. That’s my only focus,” Swinney said.
This story was originally published October 31, 2020 at 10:48 AM with the headline "Clemson vs. BC live updates: Tigers roar back from 18-point deficit, defeat Eagles."
