Postgame Notes

Nov. 17, 2007

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Clemson vs. Boston College Notes November 17, 2007 Memorial Stadium, Clemson, SC

Tonight’s Boston College win gave the Eagles an 8-7-2 advantage in the all-time series score, and marked the 17th time the teams have met since the 1939 season. The loss marks the third consecutive year in which Boston College has ended Clemson’s ACC title game and Atlantic Division championship aspirations. Each of the last three losses have been by three points or less.

Boston College’s Steve Aponavicius’ 40-yard field goal at 1:14 in the second quarter marked the first time an opponent scored on the Tigers in the second quarter since Virginia Tech recorded 14 points in the second period on October 6. In the Tigers’ four games since the loss to the Hokies, Clemson has outscored its opponents by a combined 88-3 tally. Overall, Clemson has outscored its opposition 137-33 in the second period.

Mark Buchholz recorded his 17th made field goal of the season in the third quarter to give Clemson a 10-3 lead. With that field goal, Buchholz became the first Clemson athlete to play two sports (football, soccer) and to make more than 16 field goals in the same season. Obed Ariri connected on 16 of 22 field goals during the 1979 season as a two-sport athlete, then went on to make 23 field goals during the 1980 season, during which he played only football.

DeAndre McDaniel tallied his second career interception in the second quarter. The freshman from Tallahassee, FL, is the fifth Tiger to record at least two interceptions so far this season.

Phillip Merling has had two sacks in two games this season. He had two sacks against Wake Forest on Nov. 10, then tallied two sacks against Boston College. Ricky Sapp is the only other Tiger to record two sacks this season (NC State, Sept. 22).

Prior to the interception by Boston College’s Kevin Akins in the fourth quarter, Clemson quarterback Cullen Harper had completed 134 passes without an interception. His last interception occurred against Central Michigan, and the junior has only five interceptions on the season.

With his four-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, quarterback Cullen Harper has recorded a rushing touchdown in three consecutive games.