No. 17 Clemson tops Boston College

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Clemson used a single-game program record of 198 receiving yards from DeAndre Hopkins to overcome the Sammy Watkins void and defeat Boston College, 45-31, Saturday.

Hopkins caught 11 passes, including a touchdown catch, again carrying the pass-catching weight with Watkins missing the game with a stomach virus.

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd also got in the record books throwing the 47th, 48th and 49th touchdown passes of his career to tie him with former Clemson quarterback Charlie Whitehurst for the school record in career touchdown passes. Whitehurst started for three-and-a-half seasons. Boyd has started 19 games.

Boyd’s 48th career touchdown pass went to Brandon Ford in the second quarter and allowed Clemson (4-1, 1-1 ACC) to retake the lead, 21-17, prior to halftime. Clemson never trailed in the second half.

Boston College fell to 1-3, 0-2.

Berkeley High product Andre Ellington rushed for 135 yards on 25 carries including a touchdown.

Clemson’s defense was not great but it was much improved from its showing a week earlier at Florida State. Clemson had a season-best three sacks and Garry Peters and Rashard Hall each had interceptions.

Injuries: Clemson RG Tyler Shatley sustained a lower-body injury and was in and out of the game in the first half. Clemson DE Tavaris Barnes sustained an apparent knee injury.