Clemson Football: Tigers take down Eagles 31-3

For the second straight week, Clemson football played a middling first half, but won the “middle eight”, while dominating the second half on the way to a 31-3 win over a game Boston College Eagle team on homecoming and the Red Bandana game.

It was ugly at times, especially early, as there were mystifying interceptions, weird play calls and a general lack of urgency.

But, just like last week, the Tiger defense stood tall, especially from the get-go to start the second half and smothered the Eagles offense.

D.J. Uiagalelei finished 18 of 31 for 220 yards, with3 touchdowns and 1 interception on the evening and he also led the Tigers with 69 yards rushing.

The Tigers run game was stymied for the entire game, totaling 144 yards with only 69 coming from the running backs.

Clemson’s defense was on point against a depleted Boston College offense, holding the Eagles to 254 total yards on the evening, with only 34 net yards rushing.

Despite the victory, there were many miscues on the Tigers side. Beaux Collins dropped a beautiful ball from Uiagaelei on the opening drive of the game and the Tigers had to settle for a field goal and on the next series Uiaglelei threw a horrible interception.

There were two plays where blockers ran into punt returners and a separate dropped punt by Will Taylor.

And, for the second straight week, B.T. Potter missed a makeable field goal.

In a letdown spot, Clemson football struggled early and then crushed Boston College in the second half

I had guessed at a letdown for Clemson after two big wins over the last couple of weeks and with a trip to Tallahassee ahead.  Who knows if that was the case, or Boston College was inspired, but it was evident early on the Eagles came to play.

In the end, the defense won the day and dominated, especially in the second half and the Tigers once again survived and advanced.

It sounds funny saying that about a 31-3 game, but for more than half of this game against a depleted Boston College team that was the case.