Dabo Swinney says Clemson wasn’t trying to run up the score against Boston College

No. 5 Clemson football’s win against Boston College was all but secured when the Tigers got the ball back with 6:34 remaining on Saturday night.

Clemson led 24-3 in the fourth quarter and was pitching a second-half shutout against the Eagles, who’d pulled their starting quarterback, Phil Jurkovec, on the previous possession.

The Tigers (6-0, 4-0 ACC) had other plans.

After playing backup quarterback Cade Klubnik earlier in the fourth quarter, Clemson re-inserted starter DJ Uiagalelei, went hurry-up from its own 12-yard line and executed a six-play, 88-yard scoring drive that ended with Uiagalelei hitting receiver Brannon Spector for a touchdown.

Coach Dabo Swinney said that drive, which put Clemson up 31-3 with 4:22 remaining, wasn’t an attempt to run up the score but rather an opportunity for his offense – which had been excellent in recent weeks – to regain some momentum after a hot-and-cold night on the road.

“We just didn’t feel like we played well,” Swinney said in his postgame interview with ABC. “We wanted to finish with a little bit of rhythm. I thought we finished well. It was good. It was tough sledding tonight but a good finish for our guys and hopefully good momentum going into next week.”

The Tigers put up a season-worst 10 points and were outgained 168-131 by Boston College in the first half. Uiagalelei, who’d been sensational in recent weeks, also struggled. He had 80 passing yards, a season low for a first half, and an ugly interception.

Clemson heated up a bit in the second half with two long drives ending with touchdown catches from Joseph Ngata and Beaux Collins. Still, it was a far cry from the offense that proved explosive against Louisiana Tech and Wake Forest with 500-plus total yards and tough against N.C. State with a turnover-free 30-point night.

After mixing in freshman backup Klubnik on an earlier fourth quarter possession, Swinney said Uiagalelei’s last drive was an attempt to keep Clemson’s offense on the right trajectory heading into next Saturday’s game at Florida State (4-2, 2-2 ACC).

Uiagalelei hit Spector for 24 yards and picked up 40 yards on a scramble before hitting Spector once again for a 13-yard touchdown with 3:31 remaining. That 31-3 final margin held as Clemson remained perfect in ACC play.

Swinney and Boston College coach Jeff Hafley had a longer-than-usual postgame conversation following their handshake at midfield, but Swinney told ABC’s Molly McGrath afterward that he’d merely been wishing Hafley well and lamenting Boston College’s numerous injuries this season.

Here’s what else we learned from Clemson’s win.

Xavier Thomas returns after injury

A familiar face was wreaking havoc on Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec on Saturday night: star Clemson defensive end Xavier Thomas.

Thomas, a fifth-year senior and former five-star recruit, had missed the Tigers’ first six games of the season after breaking his foot in preseason camp in August. Up until Thursday, he still wasn’t sure if he’d travel with the team to Boston College.

Swinney encouraged Thomas to travel for the sake of routine, he said, and during pregame warmups the pain he’d felt all week in practice was gone. Thomas was ready to go – and he wasted absolutely no time reminding viewers why he’s a two-time All-ACC selection.

Thomas recorded a team-high two sacks on a mere six snaps and helped fuel a defense that pressured Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec 13 times. He’s still working on his conditioning, he said, but played pain free on Saturday night.

“It was really just a blessing,” Thomas said.

Clemson still leaning on Antonio Williams

Clemson and Boston College were deadlocked at 3-3 late in the second quarter when the Tigers made a subtle special team adjustment.

Freshman slot receiver Antonio Williams trotted out as one of two punt returners alongside teammate Will Taylor with four minutes before halftime and, when the ball came his way, promptly ripped off a 20-yard return down to Boston College’s 28.

Clemson also fed Williams on a wide receiver reverse (three-yard gain) and a short throw in space (one-yard gain) before running back Will Shipley found the end zone and put Clemson up 10-3 – a crucial score in what had been a slugfest.

It was another example of the stunningly large role Williams, a former Dutch Fork High School star, has already carved out as a true freshman since joining Clemson in June. After six games, he’s the standalone starter at slot receiver and among the Tigers’ leaders in catches and yards.

Kobe Pace injury update

On the subject of the ground game: running back Kobe Pace will “probably be out for four weeks” after undergoing a procedure to heal a high ankle sprain.

Pace sprained his ankle two weeks ago against Wake Forest and played minimally against N.C. State. He didn’t travel with Clemson to Boston College.

Swinney said Clemson’s hoping to get Pace back in November for a three-game homestand against Louisville (Nov. 12), Miami (Nov. 19) and South Carolina (Nov. 26).

Run game wins games

Thanks to another big night on the ground for Uiagalelei (69 yards) and contributions from running backs Phil Mafah (36 yards) and Shipley (33 yards), Clemson comfortably out-rushed Boston College, 144-34, on Saturday night.

The Tigers have now out-rushed their opponent 10 games in a row dating back to last season, their longest streak since 2005-06 and longest ever under Swinney. Clemson’s won all 10.

Next Clemson game

Who: No. 5 Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC) at Florida State (4-2, 2-2 ACC)

When: Saturday, Oct. 15

Where: Doak Campbell Stadium, Tallahassee

TV/kick time: 7:30 p.m., ABC