PLAYERS TO WATCH
–QB Trevor Lawrence is coming off a career-low, 59-yard passing game, not so much because he had a poor outing but rather because the Tigers’ offense didn’t need much of an input from their freshman quarterback while racking up 492 yards rushing in a 77-16 romp. It may be a much different story at Boston College this week as the Eagles’ defense is geared more toward slowing the run rather than the pass. Lawrence, who will be making just his sixth career start, leads the ACC with 18 touchdown passes and a 163.0 pass efficiency rating. “I like playing in big games,” Lawrence said. “It’s fun going on the road and experiencing new things.”
–RB Travis Etienne managed a total of 84 yards in games against N.C. State and Florida State, but returned to his 100-yard ways last week against Louisville with 153 yards on only eight carries. The sophomore will enter the Boston College game just two yards short of becoming the 21st player in Clemson history to rush for 1,000 or more yards in a season. Etienne had the first 100-yard game of his career last year against Boston College, rushing for 113 yards and two touchdowns in just 13 snaps and eight rushing attempts.
–LB Kendall Joseph is coming a game against Louisville in which he had a team-leading 10 tackles. A similar performance could be in the offing this week at Boston College; Joseph has totaled 19 tackles in the Tigers’ last two games against the Eagles. “He’s been a model of consistency the last three years and has been a critical part of our success,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “He can play multiple positions and has great instincts.”
–WR Tee Higgins is just a sophomore, but he’s quickly gaining a reputation for being Clemson’s toughest cover for opposing secondaries. Big and rangy at 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, Higgins has caught at least one touchdown pass in four consecutive game and leads the team with seven scores in 2018. He also leads the Tigers in receptions (35) and receiving yards (514).
SERIES HISTORY: Clemson leads the series, 16-9-2, and has won each of the last seven meetings.
QUOTE TO NOTE: “I want the most New England-Boston conditions possible. I want it to be negative-40 degrees, I want snow. I want all of that and I’m playing with no sleeves, nothing warm. I want it to feel like home when I get back.” — Clemson defensive tackle and Springfield, Mass., native Christian Wilkins.
