The Sports Xchange
Oct 7, 2016
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. -- Deshaun Watson threw for four touchdowns and Clemson showcased its quick-strike, big-play capabilities in a 56-10 victory over Boston College on Friday night at Alumni Stadium.
The third-ranked Tigers bolted to a 21-3 lead in the first quarter and coasted to their 12th consecutive Atlantic Coast Conference victory dating to the 2014 season.
Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC) improved to 6-0 for the fourth time in eight seasons under coach Dabo Swinney and extended its road winning streak to eight in a row, matching the longest such streak in program history.
Boston College (3-3, 0-3), meanwhile, saw its ACC losing streak extended to 11 games.
Watson completed 14 of 24 passes for 266 yards, sparking an offense that riddled the nation's top-ranked defense for 499 yards.
Clemson had three scoring plays of 45 yards or more and six of its seven scoring drives required seven plays or less.
Running back Wayne Gallman rushed for 109 yards on only nine carries, including a 59-yard touchdown run on his first carry of the game.
Boston College was coming off a 35-3 win over Buffalo in which the Eagles held the Bulls to 67 total yards -- the fewest ever by an Eagles opponent.
But it was Clemson's defense that shined Friday night, holding the Eagles to 251 total yards and producing eight tackles for loss, including three sacks.
Boston College opened the scoring, getting a 21-yard field goal from Mike Knoll with 11:08 left in the first quarter after Clemson's Ray-Ray McCloud fumbled a punt to set the Eagles up at the Tigers' 9-yard line.
Clemson wasted little time taking command against the nation's top-ranked defense. Gallman broke free for a 59-yard touchdown run four plays later -- the longest run from scrimmage this season for the Tigers.
On Clemson's next possession, Watson hooked up with wide receiver Mike Williams for a 50-yard gain, then found Williams again two plays later for a 9-yard touchdown and a 14-3 lead with 3:12 left in the first quarter.
The Tigers padded their lead less than two minutes later, getting a 56-yard scoring pass from Watson to tight end Jordan Leggett on the first play of their next possession for a 21-3 lead.
Boston College drove to the Clemson 1-yard on 13 plays midway through the second quarter, but a bobbled snap on fourth down doomed the effort.
NOTES: Clemson WR Artavis Scott has 24 receptions for 279 yards and a touchdown in three career games against Boston College. ... Clemson QB Deshaun Watson passed for 420 yards, the second-best total of his career, against Boston College last season. ... RB Wayne Gallman celebrated his 22nd birthday last Saturday night by rushing for 110 yards and a touchdown in a victory over Louisville. ...Boston College DE Harold Landry ranked third in the ACC with 5.5 sacks entering Friday. ... LB Connor Strachan shared the Boston College team lead in tackles for loss with Landry at 7.5. ...Boston College RB Jon Hilliman's 73-yard touchdown run against Georgia Tech on Sept. 3 is the fourth longest in the ACC this season.