Clemson, SC
Tajh Boy accounted for six touchdowns, including four in the decisive third quarter, as seventh-ranked Clemson continued its best start in over a decade with a 59-38 victory over visiting North Carolina Saturday afternoon.
The Clemson defense forced six turnovers, including an interception return and fumble recovery return for a TD by Kourtnei Brown, as the Tigers have started 8-0 for the first time since 2000. They also started 8-0 during their 1981 national championship season.
Boyd finished 27 of 46 for 367 yards with five TDs and no interceptions as Clemson improved to 5-0 in ACC play and kept its slim hopes for a national title alive. Boyd, who entered third in the ACC and 13th in the country in pass efficiency, increased his ACC-leading TD pass total to 24.
DeAndre Hokins finished with nine catches for 157 yards and a score while outstanding freshman Sammy Watkins, who set a school record with 345 all-purpose yards last week in a 56-45 win against Maryland, was used as a decoy early, but still managed eight catches for 91 yards, including a 42-yard score in the third.
Entering No. 7 in the BCS pool, tying its highest ranking ever (2000 season), Clemson led 24-17 at the half, but Boyd ran for a TD to open the third-quarter scoring before throwing three TD passes. Brown accounted for the fifth TD of the quarter with his 26-yard fumble score as Clemson opened a 59-24 advanatge.
Tar Heels quarterback Bryn Renner, who entered having not thrown an interception in nearly 80 passes, was picked off in his first series and threw three on the day. He threw for 255 yards and two TDs. The sophomore entered tops in the conference and seventh nationally in passing efficiency (174.12), and was completing 75.3 percent of his passes with 14 TDs and six interceptions.
T.J. Thorpe scored on a 100-yard kickoff return for the Tar Heels (5-3, 1-3), who failed for the second straight week to become bowl eligible. They are seeking their fourth straight bowl for the first time since running off seven straight appearances from 1992-98.
North Carolina hasn't knocked off a top 10- team on the road since beating No. 9 Syracuse in 1996.
Twitter: @ihavenet
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