CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. _ Clemson faced some adversity for the first time in a month Saturday night at Boston College and handled it just fine.
There were no defensive linemen scoring touchdowns, and Clemson didn't come close to scoring the 60 points it had averaged over the past four weeks. But the Tigers did plenty enough to earn the win, pulling away for a 27-7 victory at a cold and windy Alumni Stadium.
With the win Clemson clinched a fourth consecutive ACC Atlantic title and a spot in the ACC title game. The Tigers can win their fourth consecutive conference title Dec. 1.
Clemson was dominant in the first half but it did not show on the scoreboard as the Tigers outgained BC 260-24 in the opening two quarters but led only 13-7 at the break.
Clemson trailed for only the third game this season for a short time in the first quarter when Michael Walker returned a punt 74 yards for a touchdown to give the Eagles a 7-3 lead.
Clemson regained the lead for good a few minutes later when the Tigers brought in Dexter Lawrence and Christian Wilkins for the jumbo package on fourth-and-goal from the 2 and Trevor Lawrence found Milan Richard for a touchdown in play action.
Boston College, who was without its starting quarterback Anthony Brown for most of the game, could get nothing going offensively. Brown was injured on the first drive of the game, and the Eagles finished with only 113 total yards.
Lawrence finished 29-for-40 passing for 295 yards with a touchdown and an interception. He also rushed for a score. Hunter Renfrow was his favorite target, hauling in eight passes for 80 yards.
Amari Rodgers added five catches for 73 yards and also returned a punt for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter to give the Tigers a 27-7 lead and put the game out of reach.
Clemson hosts Duke next Saturday at a time to be determined.
