Boyd leads No. 17 Clemson past Boston College 45-31

BOSTON — When Clemson receiver DeAndre Hopkins gets back from Boston, he will take out the spiral notebook he uses to write down his personal goals and draw a big line through another mission accomplished.

Hopkins had a school-record 197 receiving yards on Saturday, catching 11 passes from Tajh Boyd to help the No. 17 Tigers beat Boston College 45-31. Hopkins had already set the Clemson single-game by catching 13 passes in a season-opening victory over Auburn, then tied another with three touchdowns against Ball State the next week.

“I feel like every athlete should have goals, on and off the field,” said Hopkins, who has been listing his in a notebook since high school. “It’s pretty long, but it’s not a novel.”

Boyd threw for 367 yards and three touchdowns and ran in another himself as Clemson (4-1, 1-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) bounced back after blowing a two-touchdown lead to No. 4 Florida State last week. Boyd completed 28 of 38 passes and ran 11 times for 42 yards and a TD.

“When he’s playing like that, everything’s good. He’s our leader out there,” said Andre Ellington, who ran 25 times for 132 yards and a touchdown. “He was good and got the flow of the game going at his pace.”

With All-America receiver Sammy Watkins out with an abdominal virus, Boyd found Hopkins often. The junior receiver, who is known as “Nuk,” caught a 58-yard pass from deep in Clemson territory in the first half and had a 35-yard touchdown in the second.

He also had one touchdown called back in the first half because of a penalty away from the ball, and lost another when he kicked the pylon while making a great effort to get his back foot inbounds in the end zone.

“‘Nuk’s’ just always there. He’s the most dependable guy we have,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “And it’s not like people don’t know we’re going to throw him the ball.”

Chase Rettig, who entered the day as the leading passer in the ACC, completed 25 of 43 passes for 341 yards and three touchdowns. Alex Amdion caught eight passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns for the Eagles (1-3, 0-2), who led 21-17 before giving up three unanswered touchdowns.

Amidon’s yardage was the third most in school history — behind two games quarterbacked by Heisman Trophy winner Doug Flutie.

The teams that have beaten BC have a combined record of 13-2.

“The pitfall with that is sometimes you start thinking you’re good enough,” Eagles coach Frank Spaziani said. “We’re not good enough to think like that.”

Clemson was unbeaten and ranked 10th in the nation when it travelled to Tallahassee last week to play ACC Atlantic rival Florida State. The Tigers opened a 28-14 lead in the third quarter before the Seminoles scored 35 of the next 38 points.

This time it was Clemson rallying with an offensive outburst, scoring three unanswered touchdowns after falling behind 21-17.

“We finished stronger than last week,” Boyd said. “But we’ve got so much more room for improvement. We’ve got to go look at the film and put a lot of things together for the next game. I’m really excited about the potential this team has.”

Clemson led 17-7 before BC took the lead when Rettig hit Johnathan Coleman from 3 yards out and Amidon for a 31-yard score with 4:12 left in the first half. But Boyd hit Brandon Ford for a four-yard TD just before the end of the half, then capped Clemson’s first drive of the second half with Roderick McDowell’s 16-yard touchdown run.

After Rashard Hall’s interception set the Tigers up at the BC 33, Boyd hit Jaron Brown for 30 yards and Ellington ran it in from the 1 to make it 38-21.

Amidon caught a 42-yard touchdown pass, then Clemson added its last TD when Boyd hit Hopkins from 35 yards to make it 45-28 with 1 minute gone in the fourth quarter.

The Eagles made a final push by cutting it to two scores with Nate Freese’s field goal and then stopping Clemson on a fourth-and-1 near midfield. Rettig hit Amidon for 17 yards, with another 15 yards tacked on because Garry Peters threw Amidon to the ground after he was already out of bounds.

But on third down, Peters picked off Rettig at the 5. BC got the ball back at Clemson’s 33 when Boyd fumbled, but the Eagles weren’t able to get a first down.

The Tigers ended the game by taking a knee on the BC 1.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Sports

Dennis Williams, head coach and GM of the Everett Silvertips, shakes hands with an assistant coach at the end of a season opening victory over the Vancouver Giants on Saturday, Sep. 24, 2022, at Angel of the Winds Arena in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Coach, GM Williams leaving Silvertips for Bowling Green State

After seven successful season leading Everett, Dennis Williams is heading back to his alma mater. He’ll stay with the Tips through the WHL playoffs.

Everett’s Alana Washington poses for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 Girls Basketball Player of the Year: Alana Washington

The Everett senior upped her game in the postseason to help the Seagulls overcome injuries and claim their first state trophy in 41 years.

Left to right, Arlington’s Samara Morrow, Kamiak’s Bella Hasan, Everett’s Alana Washington, Lake Steven’s Nisa Ellis, Lynnwood’s Aniya Hooker, and Meadowdale’s Gia Powell, pose for a photo at Everett High School on March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
The Herald’s 2023-24 All-Area girls basketball teams

A look at the top prep girls basketball players in the area from the 2023-24 season.

Silvertips players celebrate during a game between the Everett Silvertips and Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, Jan. 21, 2024. The Silvertips won, 5-3. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Silvertips land No. 1 pick, chance to draft generational talent

Landon DuPont is the consensus top pick in next WHL prospects draft. Everett chief operating officer Zoran Rajcic said the team intends to select him.

Mountlake Terrace’s Jaxon Dubiel talks with head coach Nalin Sood during the 3A boys state basketball game against Todd Beamer on Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024 in Tacoma, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘It was just time’: Mountlake Terrace basketball coach Sood steps down

Nalin Sood guided his alma mater to 381 wins and 15 state berths in 24 seasons as head coach. He spent over four decades with the program.

Stanwood High School student athletes during their signing day ceremony. (Courtesy of Stanwood High School)
Local class of 2024 athletes who have signed to play in college

A running list of 2024 high school athletes who are set to compete at the next level.

X
Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26

Prep roundup for Tuesday, March 26: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Silvertips’ Kaden Hammell (47) enters the rink during a game between the Everett Silvertips and the Tri-City Americans at the Angel of the Winds Arena on Sunday, March 24, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Patterson: Overachieving Silvertips had season worth celebrating

In a season when some thought the team’s playoff streak could end, Everett put together one of its greatest campaigns.

Washington State athletic director Pat Chun, center, watches players on the first day of NCAA college football practice, Friday, Aug. 6, 2021, in Pullman, Wash. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)
Washington hires AD Chun away from rival Washington State

UW quickly targeted its in-state rival’s athletic director after Troy Dannen’s sudden departure.

Seattle Mariners' Mitch Haniger hits a single against the San Diego Padres during the fourth inning of a spring training baseball game Monday, March 11, 2024, in Peoria, Ariz. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
Why the Mariners could win the AL West, and what could hold them back

Starting pitching, a renovated offense and regression in the AL West are in Seattle’s favor, but injury issues, bullpen concerns and the Houston Astros could be a problem.

X
Vote for The Herald’s Prep Athlete of the Week for March 18-24

The Athlete of the Week nominees for March 18-24. Voting closes at… Continue reading

X
Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27

Prep roundup for Wednesday, March 27: (Note for coaches/scorekeepers: To report results… Continue reading

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.