Boston 'D' Party: No. 2 Clemson 27, No. 17 Boston College 7

At kickoff temperatures in Chestnut Hill were nearly freezing and for most of the contest, Clemson's defense gave Boston College the cold shoulder, holding the Eagles to just 113 yards during the Tigers' 27-7 win in Alumni Stadium Saturday night.

Clemson's offense, on the other hand, racked up 424 yards but never seemed to find their stride, or the end zone, with the frequency we've seen over the past four games.

The Tigers opened things in Alumni Stadium piecing together a seven play, 59-yard scoring drive, aided by Lawrence's deep ball to Amari Rodgers for 41 yards. Things stalled inside the red zone, but a 30-yard Greg Huegel field goal opened the scoring with 12:12 left in the first quarter.

As for Boston College, the Eagles first drive ended with senior defensive tackle, Christian Wilkins, hitting starting quarterback Anthony Brown hard on third-and-10. Brown was shaken up on the play and never returned to the game, forcing backup E.J. Perry to work against the Tiger defense.

On the following Clemson possession, a rugby-style punt from Will Speirs bounced off of T.J. Chase right into the arms of the Eagle return man, Michael Walker, who returned the ball 74 yards for a score, electrifying the BC faithful and giving the Eagles an early 7-3 lead over the No. 2 Tigers.

Trailing for the first time since the fourth quarter of the Syracuse game, Lawrence led Clemson on a nine-play drive, going 7 for 7, giving the Tigers the lead back at 10-7 with 1:28 left in the first quarter.

The biggest play of the drive was when Lawrence found Tee Higgins, who used all of his 6'5 frame, to snag the football over the top of the Eagle defensive back for a 35-yard pickup. Lawrence finished the game throwing for 295 yards on 29-40 passing with one touchdown and an interception through the air.

Clemson worked their way inside the five-yard line and facing a fourth-and-goal brought in the "Fridge" package. Boston College took the bait, crashing the line of scrimmage while Lawrence found a wide open Milan Richard after a play-action fake to Wilkins worked to precision. 

After falling behind 10-7, Boston College's backup quarterback, E.J. Perry, entered the game, but a quick three-and-out put the ball back in Clemson's hands at the start of the second quarter.

Facing a third-and-8, Lawrence stood tall and delivered a dime to Derion Kendrick for 32-yards deep into Boston College territory. Travis Etienne ripped off a 16-yard run, putting the Tigers inside the red zone at the 12-yard line. Clemson couldn't punch it in, settling for another field goal and a 13-7 lead.

Minus their starting quarterback Boston College's offense continued to struggle and a second consecutive three-and-out put Clemson's offense back on the field in a hurry, but the Tigers too were stifled by great defensive play from the Eagles and returned favor punting after just three plays.

"We are just a team that fights. We've got a lot of leadership," Wilkins said after the game. "I'm happy for myself and the other seniors who put the time in. Four or five long years of hard work, just giving their all to this program. It's great to see the results of that."

© Brian Fluharty-USA TODAY Sports

Clemson's Trevor Lawrence helped deliver Clemson to an Atlantic Divison title under the lights at Boston College.

After a nice throw from Perry to Kobay White, the Eagles moved into Clemson territory at the 42-yard line. On the ensuing play, the football was snapped over Perry's head for a loss of 32 yards.

Another loss on third down led to a Boston College punt, but a missed fair catch interference penalty cost Clemson as the Eagles recovered the football, oddly enough, back at the 42-yard line, where the entire series of events began. Clemson's defense held firm, forcing another punt, avoiding any real damage from the poor call.

Clemson got one final crack at the end zone before halftime. Lawrence hit on several throws during the drive, including a beautiful back-shoulder pass to Higgins, before hitting Justyn Ross for 15 yards into Eagle territory at the 41. After a reception by Rodgers, with 0:18 seconds left in the half, the Tigers used their final timeout. Lawrence was sacked on the following play but preserved one second for a throw to the end zone that was incomplete taking the two teams to the half with Clemson holding on to a six-point lead.

The Tiger defense forced a three-and-out to open the half, then Clemson's offense went 64 yards on three plays as Etienne busted a 25-yard run, before Lawrence found Renfrow on a 33-yard catch-and-run to the six. On the next play, Clemson's 6'6 quarterback kept the football on a zone read for his first career rushing touchdown and a 20-7 Tiger lead.

In the fourth quarter, Rodgers would get his revenge for the blown call earlier returning a Boston College punt 58 yards for a touchdown extending the Tiger lead to 27-7 with 11:39 left in the contest.

Neither team would hit paydirt again, but Clemson's defense racked up four sacks and did enough damage to deliver the Tigers an Atlantic Division title for a fourth consecutive season.

After the game, Dabo Swinney reflected on the win, which just happened to fall on the 10th anniversary of his first win as Clemson's coach, which also took place at Boston College.

"Ten years ago, we got our first win here and the good Lord has blessed us over the last ten years," Swinney stated. "That group in '08 who had the courage and the will to win, and they couldn't win a division. All they could do was win a game and try to leave Clemson in a better play. I love that class of 2008. We wouldn't be here without you."

Clemson will face Duke next Saturday in Death Valley and will honor the senior class. 

"These seniors, amazing. To know that we've got a chance to go back to Charlotte and play for another ACC Championship. I think they tied the senior record, we've got Senior Day next week, it's a special group," Swinney stated.

That group, according to their coach, keeps his job simple.

"There's leadership, then there is focused leadership. They've led from day one. They have a clear vision of what they want to do. Guys like this right here (Wilkins) make my job easy. These seniors...amazing. To know that we've got a chance to go back to Charlotte and play for another ACC Championship. I think they tied the senior record, we've got Senior Day next week, it's a special group."