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The Boston College Eagles gave undefeated Clemson all they could handle but ultimately it wasn't enough as BC fell to the Tigers 24-14 on Saturday in Death Valley. The loss drops Boston College to 3-3, 1-2 ACC. Clemson improves to 6-0, 4-0 ACC.
Boston College QB Chase Rettig threw for 192 yards and a touchdown on 13-of-21 passing, including a 38-yard TD strike to RB Myles Willis, but committed a costly fumble early in the fourth quarter returned by Clemson's Vic Beasley for a touchdown to put the game out of reach. The Eagles' senior RB Andre Williams rushed for 70 yards on 29 carries and was more or less neutralized throughout the game. Wide receiver Alex Amidon caught 6 balls for 121 yards, including a beautiful 69-yard Rettig-to-Amidon pitch and catch that gave BC the lead with just 6:40 left in the third quarter.
While statistically the game skewed towards Clemson -- the Tigers outgained the Eagles 496-286 overall, 334-192 through the air and 162-94 on the ground -- the game was more or less even through three quarters. The Eagles even took a 7-3 lead to the locker room after the defense kept the potent Clemson offense in check -- forcing two fumbles and turning the Tigers over on downs twice.
The game's momentum swung early in the fourth quarter when Clemson's Tony Steward sacked Rettig, who fumbled and was scooped up by Vic Beasley for the defensive touchdown. Boston College couldn't recover. On the following two drives, BC elected to punt instead of go for it on fourth down. On the third possession, BC oddly elected to run a fake punt run to Dave Dudeck that went nowhere. Clemson took over on downs and was able to run out the clock en route to a 10-point victory.
Questionable fourth quarter play calling aside, Boston College came to play on Saturday. The Eagles gave no. 3 Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC) its best shot a week ahead of the Tigers' showdown against Florida State -- a matchup between the Atlantic Division's two elite programs. Yes, the college football transitive property always rings a bit hollow, but this is a Clemson team that waxed Wake Forest 56-7 two weeks ago and blasted Syracuse 49-14 on the road in the Dome.
The Boston College football turnaround under Steve Addazio seems to be a bit ahead of schedule. At 3-3, 1-2 ACC, and with both Florida State and Clemson in the Eagles' rear view mirror, there isn't a game left on the schedule that isn't winnable. I can assure you that there isn't an ACC team left on the schedule that wants to play Boston College at this point. The Eagles have become one of the Atlantic Division's toughest outs through the first seven weeks of the season.
Leave your thoughts on the game below. Go Eagles!