Clemson vs. Boston College Football Game Notes

Nov. 12, 2007

Complete Clemson vs. Boston College Football Game Notes

Clemson vs. Boston College Series •Clemson holds a 7-7-2 advantage in the series with Boston College, a series that dates to the 1939 season and the January 1, 1940 Cotton Bowl. That was a landmark victory for the Clemson program, the school’s first bowl game and the school’s first ever win over a top 20 team. Boston College was ranked 11th in the nation entering the game. Clemson won 6-3 behind 115 yards rushing from Charlie Timmons and four pass deflections in the fourth quarter by Clemson legend Banks McFadden.

•This will be the 17th meeting between Clemson and Boston College. Only Miami (FL) has played Boston College more among ACC teams entering.

•Two of Clemson’s victories in the series took place during undefeated Tiger seasons. Clemson won 26-19 in 1948 on the way to a perfect 11-0 season, and won 35-14 in 1950 on the way to a 9-0-1 season.

• In 1983, in Boston, the Eagles gained a 31-16 win behind Doug Flutie. Clemson had a 16-3 lead with 25 minutes left in the game, but the Eagles went on a 28-0 run to end the contest behind Flutie. Flutie was 20-36 for 223 yards and two touchdowns against a Clemson defense that featured All-American William Perry. The Eagles gained 504 yards of total offense on the night, 281 rushing and 223 passing. It was Clemson’s only loss in 1983 (9-1-1).

•The two teams tied in a 1982 game in Death Valley. The game was televised by CBS on a regional basis, the first CBS broadcast from Clemson Memorial Stadium. Clemson had a 14-0 lead at intermission, but sophomore quarterback Doug Flutie led Boston College back to take a 17-14 lead. The Tigers tied the game in the fourth quarter, on a field goal by Donald Igwebuike, who played soccer and football for the Tigers that fall. Igwebuike then had another attempt from 43 yards with eight seconds left, but the kick missed and the game ended in a 17-17 tie. Clemson won the total offense battle 370-343. The Tigers had 218 yards rushing led by Cliff Austin, who had 20-94. Flutie was 18-35 for 242 yards and a touchdown. Clemson’s Homer Jordan was 13-25 for 152 yards. Frank Magwood led Clemson receivers with 103 yards on six catches, the only 100-yard receiving game of his Clemson career.

*Clemson had just two losses and two ties over a three-year period from 1981-83. One of the losses and one of the ties came against Boston College in that 1982-83 period. . •The 2005 game at Clemson was an overtime meeting, a 16-13 Boston College victory, was the first between the two schools as an ACC matchup. The game was tied 10-10 at the end of regulation. The two teams played another overtime affair last years, a 34-33 Boston College victory.

•Clemson has not beaten Boston College since 1958, a 34-12 victory at Clemson. Boston College has a 4-0-1 lead in the last four games that have been played since that Tiger victory.

•The two teams played three games at famed Fenway Park in Boston, the home of the Boston Red Sox. Clemson won the first meeting there in 1941 by a 26-13 score. The same two teams met at Fenway the following year, and Boston College won 14-7. The two teams played to a 14-14 tie in 1953 at Fenway. So the series stands at 1-1-1 in games played at Fenway Park. The two teams also played at Braves Field in Boston, then the home of the National League’s Boston Braves (now the Atlanta Braves). Clemson had a 3-1 advantage in games played at Braves Field all between 1942-52.

*The series is tied 2-2-1 in games played at Clemson.

Two Straight Overtime Decisions Clemson and Boston College have gone to overtime each of the last two years and both games have ended in Eagles victories. Those losses to Boston College kept Clemson out of the ACC title game each year. The way the tie breakers fell each of the last two years, had Clemson scored just one more point in regulation against the Eagles, Clemson would have been Atlantic Division Champions each year.

Boston College won the last meeting between the two teams at Death Valley by a 16-13 score in overtime. Then the Eagles won last year in Boston by a 34-33 score in double overtime. This is not the only Clemson series vs. an ACC team in which back-to-back games went to overtime. In 2004 and 2005, Clemson split consecutive overtime games with Miami (FL). Clemson won the 2004 game in the Orange Bowl by a 24-17 score in one overtime, then in 2005 the Hurricanes beat Clemson, 36-30, in three overtimes.

Clemson Veterans vs. Boston College Tramaine Billie (LB) – As a starter in 2005, he had 13 tackles in 55 plays in 2005 against Boston College. Missed last year’s game due to a broken ankle.

Crezdon Butler (CB) – Had 2 tackles as a first year freshman against Boston College in 2006.

Chris Chancellor (CB) – Had one tackle in 2 snaps as a red-shirt freshman cornerback in 2006 vs. Boston College.

Antonio Clay (LB) – Had 4 tackles in 17 snaps against Boston College in 2005. Had 12 tackles, including one tackle for loss as a starter in 2006.

Chris Clemons (SS) – Had 2 tackles in 6 plays as a red-shirt freshman in 2005. Had 10 tackles in 70 plays as a starter in 2006.

James Davis (RB) – Had 8-44 rushing, and 1-1 receiving in the 2005 loss to Boston College. Had 24-93 rushing as a starter in 2006.

Tyler Grisham (WR) – Had 4-51 receiving in 2006 against Boston College.

Michael Hamlin (FS) – Had 4 tackles in 25 snaps in the 2005 contest against Boston College. Had 5 tackles, including one tackle for loss in 59 snaps as a starter in the 2006.

Rashaad Jackson (DT) – Had 6 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss in 20 plays in 2005. Had 3 tackles in 23 plays in 2006.

Aaron Kelly (WR) – Had 5-38 receiving as a starter in 2005, and then had 2-43 receiving as a starter 2006.

Jock McKissic (DT) – Had 3 tackles, including one tackle for loss and one sack for loss in the 2005 game against Boston College. Had 2 tackles as a starter in 2006.

Phillip Merling (DE) -Had 6 tackles, including one quarterback pressure in 47 snaps in 2005. Had 4 tackles, 2 tackles for loss, and 3 quarterback pressures as a starter in the 2006 against Boston College.

Dorell Scott (DT) -Had 4 tackles in 41 snaps as a starter in 2006 vs. Boston College.

C.J. Spiller (RB) – Had 5-31 rushing, 3-82 receiving, and 3-58 in kick off returns as a true freshman in the 2006 contest with Boston College.

Nick Watkins (LB) – Had 7 tackles in 64 plays as a starter in 2005. Had 9 tackles, including 2 tackles for loss, and one sack in 73 plays as a starter in 2006.

Clemson vs. Boston College for Atlantic Division Championship Clemson and Boston College will play for the Atlantic Division Championship this evening at Memorial Stadium. It will be a landmark victory for he winner. Clemson has not won an ACC Championship since 1991 and Boston College has just one conference co-championship to its credit. They were co-champions of the Big East in 2004.

The Eagles were an independent for much of their history. An independent through the 1990 season, they joined the Big East Conference in 1991 and remained in that league through the 2004 season. They became a member of the ACC in 2005. The closest Boston College has come to an outright league title was in 2004, their last year in the Big East. Entering the final game of that regular season, they had to beat Syracuse at home on the Saturday after Thanksgiving to claim the Big East Championship. But, The Orangemen pulled off the 43-17 victory, allowing Pittsburgh to go to a BCS Bowl as the Big East Champion.

Clemson has not won an ACC Championship since 1991 when a defense led by future NFL players Levon Kirkland, Chester McGlockton and Brenton Buckner, led the nation in rushing defense. The Tigers were 9-1-1 in the regular season that year and had a 6-0-1 record in the ACC, good enough for the league championship.

Clemson has more ACC Championships than any other school with 13 titles. Clemson also won the Southern Conference in 1940 and 1948, giving the program 15 conference championships.

The winner of the Clemson vs. Boston College game will face the winner of the November 24 contest between Virginia and Virginia Tech in the ACC title game in Jacksonville on December 1 at 1:00 PM.

Clemson can not clinch an ACC championship by defeating Boston College, but it can clinch the Division title and advance to the ACC Championship game. Five times previously Clemson has celebrated an ACC Championship with a win at Clemson. Below is the list:

ACC Clinching Victories in Clemson MemorialYear – Opponent (CU-Opp) 1959 – Wake Forest (33-31) 1966 – South Carolina (35-10) 1981 – Maryland (21-7) 1987 – Maryland (45-16) 1991 – Maryland (40-7)

Last Meeting at ClemsonBoston College 16, Clemson 13 September 24, 2005 at Clemson, SC Making its first trip to Death Valley since 1982 and playing its first road game as a member of the ACC, #25 Boston College outlasted Clemson in overtime, 16-13. After winning its first five overtime games since the NCAA adopted the rule in 1996, the Tigers lost in extra time for the second straight week. Clemson had lost to Miami (FL) in triple overtime, 36-30 the previous week.

After the Tigers were forced to punt to open the game, the Eagles moved the ball 33 yards in seven plays to set up the first points of the day. Ryan Ohliger connected on a 33-yard field goal to give Boston College an early lead.

The Eagle defense again forced Clemson into a three-and-out, and quarterback Matt Ryan completed four straight passes to move the ball to the Tiger seven. However, Ryan’s fifth pass of the drive was intercepted in the end zone by Jamaal Fudge, now a defensive back with the Jacksonville Jaguars.

The Tigers could only move three yards in three plays and punted again, and Boston College started its third drive of the day from its own 36.

This time, Ryan completed six straight passes, and Andre Callender had an 18-yard run down to the one-yard line. Ryan dove over on a quarterback sneak to cap an 11-play, 64-yard scoring drive, giving the Eagles a 10-0 lead.

Clemson quickly answered with a scoring drive of its own. James Davis ran for 39 yards on three carries, and Charlie Whitehurst completed two passes to tight end Thomas Hunter. A third-down sack prevented the Tigers from scoring a touchdown, but Jad Dean made a 36-yard field goal for Clemson’s first points of the day.

A holding call helped move the Boston College offense backwards on its next drive, and Clemson took over at its own 36 after a punt.

Reggie Merriweather then got in on the action by carrying four times for 37 yards on a drive that was capped by a one-yard sneak by Whitehurst. The extra point by Dean tied the score 10-10. Clemson had 75 yards rushing in the second quarter against an Eagle defense that was ranked third in the nation against the run entering the game.

Both teams had plenty of opportunities over the remainder of the game, but there was no scoring. Boston College had the last drive. Boston College got the ball back with 22 seconds left. Ryan hit Miller for a 29-yard completion into Clemson territory, but Tye Hill intercepted Ryan two plays later to send the game into overtime.

Just as they were the last time the two met in Death Valley in 1982, Clemson and Boston College were tied after 60 minutes of play.

The Tigers went on offense first in overtime, and Whitehurst hit Aaron Kelly for a first down. But Clemson could not get closer than the Eagle six-yard line. Dean booted a 24-yard field goal to the Tigers their first lead of the day by a score of 13-10.

On Boston College’s drive, Ryan hit Larry Lester for 10 yards on third down. Callender, who totaled 116 yards on 22 carries, followed with a 10-yard run down to the one-yard line, and two plays later, Brian Toal scored from one-yard out to give the Eagles the win 16-13.

The Eagles ran 90 plays to the Tigers’ 57 and out-gained Clemson 385-251. Boston College also won the time-of-possession battle (35:42 to 24:18) and converted 10 of 20 third downs, while the Tigers were 0-11 on third downs. It was the first time in recorded history (since 1978) that Clemson went an entire game without a converted third down.

Tramaine Billie added 13 stops. Jackson also had two of the team’s four tackles for loss.

2006 at Boston CollegeBoston College 34, Clemson 33 (2 OT) Ryan Ohliger kicked a walk-off extra point after the Tigers had their extra point blocked in the second overtime to lift Boston College to a 34-33 win over #18 Clemson at Alumni Stadium on September 9.

The Tigers had leads of 10-0 and 17-7 in the first half and never trailed in regulation, but Boston College fought its way back thanks in part to the 213 kickoff return yards by freshman Jeff Smith, including a 96-yard return for a touchdown on the opening kickoff of the second half.

Clemson out-gained the Eagles 479-322, but the Tigers were kept in bad starting field position during the last three quarters, while Boston College had good starting field position thanks to Smith. Both teams converted 50 percent of their third-down conversion attempts as well.

Will Proctor was 25-40 for a career high 343 yards and two scores. His favorite target was Chansi Stuckey, who had 11 catches for 124 yards. C.J. Spiller added three catches for 82 yards, and had 171 all-purpose yards. Clemson had eight plays of 20 yards or more, while the Eagles had none.

James Davis rushed for 93 yards and two scores on 24 carries. L.V. Whitworth led Boston College with 78 yards on the ground on 19 carries.

On their second drive, the Tigers drove 48 yards in eight plays, capped by Proctor’s 22-yard strike to Tyler Grisham down the sideline for a touchdown. It was his first career touchdown, and put the Tigers ahead, 10-0.

Boston College responded with a 53-yard drive to cut the Tiger lead to three points. A pass interference penalty gave the Eagles a first-and-goal, then Matt Ryan found Kevin Challenger in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown pass.

The Eagles put together a long drive and had first-and-goal at the Tiger two. But Michael Hamlin forced a fumble, and Gaines Adams scooped up the ball and returned it 14 yards. Two players later, Spiller took a swing pass, avoided several Eagles, and raced 82 yards for a touchdown. It was his first career touchdown, as it gave the Tigers a 17-7 lead.

A 35-yard field goal by Ohliger late in the first half cut the Tiger lead to seven. Then Smith took the opening kickoff of the second half 96 yards to tie the score. It was the first kickoff return for a score against the Tigers since 2002.

In the fourth quarter, Ohliger missed a field goal, then Clemson drove 80 yards to take the lead. The drive was highlighted by a 24-yard pass to Rendrick Taylor on third-and-12. Davis carried over from one yard with 8:20 left.

Boston College took the ball down the field on its ensuing drive to tie the score. The drive was not without controversy, however. Ryan’s pass to the Tiger 14 was caught simultaneously by Challenger and Hamlin, but Hamlin wrestled the ball away and came up with the ball. The play was ruled an interception, but the replay booth overturned the call. Four plays later, Ryan scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak with 4:59 remaining in the game.

Boston College took over first in the first overtime. But the Tiger defense came up big on a third-down play and forced Ohliger to make a 35-yard field goal.

On Clemson’s first play, Proctor hit Stuckey down the sideline for 22 yards to the Eagle three. But on the next play, Spiller was dropped for a loss of four yards on a run around the end, and the Tigers settled for a Dean field goal.

Clemson took over first in the second overtime and was quickly backed up to the Eagle 41 for a second-and-26. But Proctor completed back-to-back passes to Stuckey for 20 yards, and Davis carried over from one yard two plays later. However, Jolonn Dunbar blocked the extra point.

It took Boston College five plays to go 25 yards to tie the score, capped by Whitworth’s six-yard scoring run. Ohliger’s extra point sent the Tigers home in defeat.