Boyd Semifinalist for Maxwell Award

CLEMSON, SC – Clemson Quarterback Tajh Boyd and defensive end Vic Beasley are both semifinalists for major college football awards given by the Maxwell Football Club of Pennsylvania. Boyd is one of 16 semifinal candidates for the Maxwell Award, which is given to the top college football player in the nation, while Beasley is one of 16 semifinalists for the Bednarik Award, which goes to the nation’s top defensive player.

Clemson, Oregon, Alabama and Florida State are the only schools nationally to have a player on both lists.

The winners of the 77th Maxwell Award and 19th Bednarik Award will be announced as part of the Home Depot College Football Awards Show that will be broadcast on ESPN on December 12, 2013 from Orlando. Last year Notre Dame linebacker Manti Te’o won both awards.

Boyd, the 2012 ACC Player of the Year, has led Clemson to a 7-1 record and number-eight national ranking in the BCS. He has completed 168 of 263 passes for 2243 yards and 17 touchdowns. He also has 219 yards rushing and a team best six touchdowns.

Boyd needs just one touchdown rushing or passing this Saturday at Virginia to become the ACC’s all-time leader in touchdown responsibility. He needs just 16 yards rushing to become the first ACC player with 10,000 yards passing and 1,000 yards rushing in a career.

Beasley, in his first year as a starter, is tied for first in the nation in quarterback sacks with 10. He also has 15 tackles for loss, fourth best in the nation. The junior defensive end has 29 tackles overall and has caused three fumbles on strip sacks. He ranked fourth in the ACC in sacks last year with eight.