CLEMSON, S.C. _ It was only fitting that Clemson's decorated senior class made a little more history Saturday night at Death Valley.
The Tigers got off to a sluggish start before pulling away for a 35-6 victory against Duke on Senior Day. With the win Clemson's senior class set a school record for victories during a four-year span with 51. The mark is also an ACC record.
No. 2 Clemson (11-0, 8-0) fell behind 6-0 to start the game and led only 14-6 at halftime as the Tigers struggled offensively in the opening two quarters. Clemson had 37 total yards in the first quarter and as a team had 10 carries for 17 yards in the first half.
But the Tigers finally started exploiting Duke's questionable run defense in the third quarter. The Blue Devils (7-4, 3-4) entered Saturday's game allowing 212 rushing yards per game and Travis Etienne and company got going in the second half.
Etienne had nine carries for 81 yards and two touchdowns, and he now has 17 rushing touchdowns on the season, which ties a school record.
As a team the Tigers finished with 208 rushing yards on 36 carries. Clemson had 26 carries for 191 rushing yards in the second half.
Clemson's defense became dominant as the game went along. The Blue Devils had 127 total yards in the first quarter but managed only 135 the rest of the way.
Clelin Ferrell led the way with 2.5 tackles for loss and a pair of sacks. Christian Wilkins added 1.5 tackles for loss and a sack, while Dexter Lawrence added two tackles for loss.
Trevor Lawrence was 21-for-38 passing for 251 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions. The freshman missed a few throws that he normally makes but was also hurt by several drops as Tigers receivers had at least five passes go off their hands that they should have caught.
Clemson receiver Hunter Renfrow made history in the opening minutes of the game but was injured in the second quarter and did not return after landing on his head while attempting to make a diving catch.
Renfrow did make a reception in the first quarter to set a school record for the most consecutive games with a catch with 39. He also has started the most games in school history as a receiver with 43.
