Momentum Regained: Clemson Dominates Boston College 41-10

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CHESTNUT HILL, MA—For a program in search of a defining moment to turn their season around, the Clemson Tigers found exactly what they needed on Saturday night, delivering a resounding 41-10 beatdown of the Boston College Eagles at Alumni Stadium.

The dominant victory not only improves the Tigers’ record to 3-3 (2-2 ACC) but also secures a 13th consecutive win over the Eagles and, perhaps more importantly, establishes a vital two-game winning streak following a disappointing 1-3 start.

Klubnik Leads the First-Half Blitz

Quarterback Cade Klubnik and the Clemson offense played with efficiency and swagger, particularly in a near-perfect first half. The Tigers scored on all six of their initial possessions, racing out to a commanding 34-10 halftime lead.

Klubnik was the catalyst, showcasing his dual-threat ability before a late-third-quarter ankle injury led to his departure. Before exiting, the junior finished 22-of-30 passing for 280 yards, including a highlight-reel 38-yard touchdown strike to wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. He also found the end zone with his legs on a six-yard run, contributing to a balanced attack that amassed over 500 total yards.

The Tigers achieved the coveted 200/200 mark for the first time this season, racking up 278 passing yards and 226 rushing yards. Tailback Adam Randall continued his impressive scoring streak, finding the end zone for the sixth straight game, a feat not accomplished by a Tiger since Travis Etienne in 2018.

Defensive Turning Points

While the offense set the tone, the defense made the pivotal plays to ensure the game was never in doubt.

After Boston College scored a touchdown to cut the lead to 17-10 early in the second quarter, the Eagles drove deep into Clemson territory with a chance to make it a one-score game. On 2nd-and-9 from the Clemson 22, true freshman linebacker Sammy Brown broke through for a strip-sack on BC quarterback Dylan Lonergan, with defensive end T.J. Parker recovering the fumble. The ensuing drive saw Klubnik connect with Wesco for the 38-yard touchdown, swinging the momentum decisively in Clemson’s favor

The Tigers’ defense went on to pitch a third-quarter shutout and finished the night with five sacks, effectively suffocating the Boston College offense, which was limited to just 221 total yards.

The Big Takeaway: Finding Their Identity

For head coach Dabo Swinney, the win was a critical sign that the team is starting to “blow out the teams it should blow out,” a luxury that was missing earlier in the season.

The team’s identity is coalescing around a more aggressive first-half offense and a defense that—despite some early-game hiccups—can still turn on the switch when the game is on the line. The Tigers’ second-half effort, allowing only a late garbage-time score, demonstrated the defensive dominance fans are accustomed to.

While the injury to Klubnik casts a shadow over the victory, his assurance that he “could have returned” suggests the Tigers may have dodged a major bullet. With the team now back to a .500 record and having secured the O’Rourke-McFadden Trophy for another year, the focus shifts to hosting SMU next week in what will be a major test of their newfound momentum.

Clemson came to Chestnut Hill seeking a clean, dominant win. They returned to Death Valley with just that, plus the trophy, the momentum, and a sense that their season is now officially on the right track.