Tag: Boston College Eagles

Chargers 2023 NFL draft target: Boston College WR Zay Flowers

Putting Boston College WR Zay Flowers under a microscope to highlight his strengths, weaknesses and fit with the Chargers.

Over the next couple of months, we are going to be taking a look at a handful of draft prospects leading up to the 2023 NFL draft.

With the Chargers having needs at various positions, we will do our best to evaluate the players that we feel fit the team precisely.

Here is a report on a potential target, Boston College wide receiver Zay Flowers.

Height: 5-10

Weight: 172 pounds

Class: Senior

Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Career: Earned first-team All-ACC honors in 2022. Set Boston College single-season record for receiving touchdowns with 12 scores. Played in 47 games for the Eagles, recording 200 catches, 3,056 receiving yards, and 29 touchdowns.

Strengths: Frequently schemed the ball because of his run-after-catch ability. Led the ACC with 503 yards after catch. Speed release has some sudden kick to it. Accelerates to high gear quickly and makes defenders strain. Overachieves in the quick passing game with short-area separation. Punishes ankle tacklers with twitchy open-field movement. Knows where to take the ball before the defense converges. Has brought down some tough contested catches against bigger opponents. Extra dangerous on routes stemming from pre-snap motion. 

Weaknesses: Size profiles as a slot-only option. Possesses the ability to stretch the field but big plays through the air was not the main feature of his game. Needs significant extension to reel in off-target throws. Frequently catches throws with his body.

Final Word: Zay Flowers will not be a favorite for every team, but he can be lightning in a bottle with the ball in his hands. His size might restrict him to the slot full-time, but Flowers can excel there with his athleticism and judgment of the field. The more space Flowers has to work with, the better the results.

Fit Likelihood: High

Grade: 2nd

Film Highlights

James Franklin’s all-time bowl game record and results

What is James Franklin’s all-time record in bowl games heading into the 2023 Rose Bowl?

Former Penn State head coach Joe Paterno continues to hold the record for the most coaching victories in a college football game with 24, and that record appears to be safe for a few more years. It goes without saying then that current Penn State head coach [autotag]James Franklin[/autotag] has a long way to go to catch up to Paterno.

Entering the 2022-23 bowl season, Franklin has been on the winning side of a bowl game as often as he has been on the losing end. Franklin’s career bowl record of 5-5 is highlighted by a pair of New Years Six bowl game victories in the Fiesta Bowl and Cotton Bowl, and he has taken Penn State to two Rose Bowls since arriving from Vanderbilt. Franklin was 2-1 in bowl games at Vanderbilt, a remarkable feat on its own given Vanderbilt is just 4-4-1 all-time in bowl games.

Franklin coached in Penn State’s first bowl game since being relieved of NCAA sanctions in his first season on the job with a trip to the Pinstripe Bowl in 2014. But Franklin is 0-3 in bowl games against his former foes from the SEC with losses to Georgia, Kentucky, and Arkansas.

Here is a look back at each bowl game coached by Franklin heading into the 2023 Rose Bowl against Pac-12 champion Utah.

ACC/Big Ten Challenge: Full 2022 schedule and TV info

ACC/Big Ten Challenge: Full 2022 schedule with start times and TV info for all 14 games

Monday night is the start of this year’s edition of the ACC-Big Ten Challenge on the basketball court. The 14 members of the Big Ten will take on 14 members of the ACC in one of the original conference-vs-conference basketball scheduling agreements. The Big Ten is looking for a fourth consecutive victory in the series after winning the past three seasons. And with a series tie in 2018, it has been four straight years without losing to the ACC in this long-running series.

The ACC does hold the historical edge in the challenge, however. The ACC owns a 12-8-3 all-time series lead against the Big Ten. The ACC’s overall lead has been led by Duke’s 19-4 record all-time in the series, the most wins of any school in either conference and easily the best winning percentage. As far as winning percentage goes, nine teams in the ACC own a .500 win percentage or higher compared to just five Big Ten members being .500 or better in the series. Perhaps surprisingly, Penn State owns the Big Ten’s second-best all-time win percentage with .524% trailing only Purdue’s .571.

Maryland’s record in the all-time series is fun to make note of. As an ACC member, Maryland was 10-5 al-time in the ACC-Big Ten Challenge, but the Terrapins have slumped to 1-7 in the series since switching sides as a Big Ten member.

NC State will not participate in this year’s ACC-Big Ten Challenge due to the ACC having an uneven membership compared to the Big Ten (15 basketball members to 14 with the ACC’s inclusion of Notre Dame).

Here is the full 2022 ACC-Big Ten Challenge schedule along with start times and TV information.

No. 5 Clemson vs. Boston College: Offensive and Defensive Players of the Game

Check out Clemson WIre’s Players of the Game following the Tigers 31-3 win over Boston College.

Each week Clemson Wire will choose an offensive and defensive Player of the Game following each of the Tigers matchups this season.

In their latest win over a fellow ACC opponent in Boston College, the Tigers offense seemed to come alive in the second half following a less than stellar first half of play that led to Clemson only leading by one score through two quarters.

Despite a slow start, the Tigers pulled away for the eventual 28-point victory over the Eagles.

On the defensive side, Wes Goodwin’s defense showed incredible grit in what could arguably have been their best performance thus far at Boston College.

Here are Clemson Wire’s picks for this week’s offensive and defensive Players of the Game.

The good, the bad and the ugly from Clemson’s win over Boston College

Clemson overcame a slow start to notch a rather comfortable win over Boston College late Saturday at Alumni Stadium. The victory kept the Tigers atop the ACC’s Atlantic Division standings, but there’s work to do with another road tilt looming next …

Clemson overcame a slow start to notch a rather comfortable win over Boston College late Saturday at Alumni Stadium. The victory kept the Tigers atop the ACC’s Atlantic Division standings, but there’s work to do with another road tilt looming next weekend against Florida State.

Here’s the good, the bad and the ugly from the Tigers’ 31-3 victory:

The good

The gnashing of teeth over Clemson’s woeful defensive performance against Wake Forest seems like forever ago.

A week after a strong bounceback showing against NC State at home, the Tigers played what head coach Dabo Swinney called their most complete game on defense in limiting Boston College to its lowest point total against Clemson since the Tigers blanked the Eagles in 1952. The matchup of the nation’s second-ranked run defense against the nation’s third-worst rushing offense went as expected (34 rushing yards for Boston College), and outside of a 35-yard connection between Phil Jurkovec and Zay Flowers late in the first quarter, Clemson’s patchwork secondary kept everything in front for the most part. There were even some timely pass breakups, including one by cornerback Nate Wiggins in the end zone.

By the time it was over, Clemson had limited Boston College to 1.1 yards per rush, 3.5 yards per play and just 5 of 18 on third down, often winning the early downs to keep the Eagles in third-and-long for most of the night (average distance of 7.8 yards to go on the money down). Twelve of Boston College’s 14 possessions ended in a punt, a turnover or turnover on downs.

And how about Xavier Thomas? Clemson’s senior defensive end made his season debut and significantly bolstered what’s been a pretty average pass rush for the Tigers this season. Despite his surgically repaired foot still being sore – and lining up on just one end of the defensive front because of it – Thomas notched half of Clemson’s four sacks. Making that more impressive is the fact Thomas was on a pitch count and played a limited number of snaps.

Offensively, Clemson continued to cash in on its scoring opportunities even if things didn’t always click for a unit that finished with just 364 yards. The Tigers scored on all four of their trips into the red zone, including three touchdowns. Clemson has now scored on all 32 of its red-zone chances this season.

One of those touchdowns was set up late in the third quarter by another impact play made by the special teams. Before D.J. Uiagalelei found Beaux Collins for a 10-yard touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter, Etinosa Reuben pushed through the Eagles’ protection unit to block a field goal in what was a two-score game at the time. It was the Tigers’ fourth blocked kick of the season, tied for third-most in the country.

Clemson also played more disciplined football after recently racking up penalty yards in bunches. The Tigers were flagged 19 times for 215 yards in their wins over Wake Forest and NC State but only committed two for 10 yards Saturday.

Meanwhile, Antonio Williams continues to be a bright spot – and not just on offense. The true freshman receiver not only led the team with five receptions but also returned two punts, including a 20-yarder in the second quarter that set up the Tigers’ first touchdown.

The bad

Clemson has now outrushed its opponent in 10 straight games, a first for the Tigers in the Swinney era. On Saturday, that had more to do with what Boston College’s run game couldn’t do against Clemson’s defense rather than an explosive night from the Tigers on the ground.

In fact, outside of a 40-yard run by Uiagalelei late in the game, Clemson’s running game was anything but. That scamper alone accounted for 28% of the Tigers’ rushing output (144 yards) and helped boost their per-carry average to 4.5 yards. Uiagalelei was the Tigers’ leading rusher (69 yards) as Clemson totaled just 104 yards on their other 31 rushing attempts. 

The Tigers were without Kobe Pace (ankle sprain), but Will Shipley averaged just 3.3 yards per carry. Phil Mafah had a little more success (5.1 yards per carry), but the offensive line didn’t open up many clean running lanes. Clemson will need a better semblance of balance against some of the better teams on their schedule.

B.T. Potter also missed a field goal for the second straight week. It was just the second miss this season for the veteran placekicker, who’s now 11 of 13 on the season. But it’s something to monitor going forward, particularly if the Tigers find themselves in more competitive games down the stretch.

The ugly

Like other facets of his game, Uiagalelei’s decision-making has largely been improved this season. But there was a glitch in the system early Saturday.

On Clemson’s second possession, as he felt some pressure from a blitz, Uiagalelei threw flat-footed toward the sideline for what resulted in an easy pick for Boston College’s Josh DeBerry. It was just Uiagalelei’s third interception this season, but he’s also had some questionable throws in other games that could’ve been picks if not dropped by opposing defenders.

Uiagalelei acknowledged afterward the lapse in judgment, one that also put the Tigers’ defense in a bind since it occurred deep in his own territory. Clemson dodged an early bullet four plays later when Boston College missed a 35-yard field-goal attempt, but it’s the type of miscue Uiagalelei has to avoid against more quality competition.

“Tried to make a play right there and throw off my back foot,” Uiagalelei said. “That wasn’t a smart decision right there.”

The Tigers were also fortunate to finish even in the turnover margin after putting the ball on the ground a couple of times. Specifically, Will Taylor muffed two punts, but the Tigers recovered each fumble to retain possession. 

Taylor is averaging just 2.3 yards per punt return this season, and dropping kicks is never a good look. Saturday was the first time Clemson has put Taylor and Williams on the field at the same time as returners. Might Williams start getting a longer look at the full-time job?

Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce limited edition signed cards from the freshmen football players are now in our online store.  There are only 100 of each signed.

Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help!

Box Score Breakdown: Clemson’s stat leaders from road win over Boston College

Check out the stat leaders from Clemson’s latest win over Boston College.

No. 5 Clemson remains undefeated after another ACC matchup and win on the road at Boston College on Saturday.

In the Tigers 31-3 win over the Eagles, quarterback DJ Uiagalelei put together another impressive performance at the helm, completing 18-for-32 passes (roughly 56%) for 220 yards and three touchdowns.

Uiagalelei led Clemson on the ground for the second straight week, garnering 12 carries for 36 yards.

En route to the win, Uiagalelei connected with five different receivers for at least two receptions and 20 yards.

Check out Clemson Wire’s breakdown of the box score and stats recorded in the Tigers win over Boston College.

The 4-1-1 on Clemson’s runaway win over Boston College

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – No. 5 Clemson pulled away from Boston College on Saturday at Alumni Stadium to improve to 6-0 and 4-0 in the ACC. Here are four sequences that went a long way in determining the outcome, a turning point and a telling stat from …

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – No. 5 Clemson pulled away from Boston College on Saturday at Alumni Stadium to improve to 6-0 and 4-0 in the ACC. Here are four sequences that went a long way in determining the outcome, a turning point and a telling stat from the Tigers’ 31-3 victory.

  • After Clemson got a field goal from B.T. Potter on its first drive, the Tigers forced a punt from Boston College, which used a 35-yard corner kick from Sam Candiotti to pin Clemson at its own 1-yard line. D.J. Uiagalelei felt some pressure three plays later and was intercepted by Josh DeBerry on an underthrown ball toward the sideline, which set the Eagles’ offense up at the Tigers’ 24. But Clemson’s defense held Boston College to 6 yards on its next three plays, and the Tigers ultimately dodged a bullet when it forced a 35-yard field goal attempt from Connor Lytton, which was no good. Boston College threatened again by marching 48 yards on its next possession, but the Tigers bowed up again to hold the Eagles to Lytton’s 30-yard field goal early in the second quarter.
  • While Clemson’s offense continued to struggle midway through the first half, Boston College threatened again when the Eagles put together their longest drive of the half – an 11-play, 52-yarder – to get deep into Tigers territory early in the second quarter. But after failing to convert third-and-2 from Clemson’s 28, Boston College opted to go this time. But Barrett Carter pressured Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec off the edge and forced a hurried throw that was broken up by Jeremiah Trotter near the line of scrimmage. That stop proved significant when Clemson’s offense, with the help of a 20-yard punt return by Antonio Williams, was set up with a short field late in the second quarter and cashed it in on Will Shipley’s 1-yard touchdown run that gave Clemson a 10-3 lead at the break.
  • Clemson totaled just 131 yards in the first two quarters but racked up more than half of that on its opening possession of the second, using a pair of explosive plays through the air to extend its lead. First, with the Tigers facing third-and-7 from their own 41, Uiagalelei waited for Beaux Collins’ double move to develop downfield before uncorking a back-shoulder throw with a defender barreling down on him for a 21-yard connection. Uiagalelei came back on the next play to find Joseph Ngata behind Boston College’s defense for a 38-yard scoring strike, capping a five-play, 73-yard drive that pushed Clemson’s lead to 17-3 with 11 minutes, 50 seconds left in the third quarter.
  • The Tigers brought consistent pressure to try to get to Jurkovec. And after just pressuring him for most of the night, the strategy paid off late with all three of Clemson’s sacks coming in the second half. One of those came early in the fourth quarter when Carter and Trotter met Jurkovec in the backfield on a blitz. Carter stripped Jurkovec of the ball, and defensive lineman Payton Page recovered the fumble at Boston College’s 23. It ended up being an empty possession for Clemson’s offense as Potter missed a 42-yard field goal, but the turnover took another possession away from Boston College, which needed to maximize its opportunities already trailing by three touchdowns with 9:41 left.

Turning point

Although Clemson held a two-touchdown lead midway through the third quarter, Boston College threatened to cut into the deficit following Zay Flowers’ 16-yard punt return, setting the Eagles’ offense up on Clemson’s side of midfield. Boston College moved to the Tigers’ 22 before having to settle for Lytton’s 22-yard field-goal attempt, but Etinosa Reuben pushed through the middle of the line to block the kick. Clemson took advantage of the swing in momentum when the offense followed with its longest scoring drive of the night – an eight-play, 72-yarder capped by Uiagalelei’s 10-yard touchdown pass to Collins. It gave the Tigers a 24-3 lead early in the fourth quarter, one that seemed well out of reach for a Boston College offense that averaged just 2.5 yards per play in the final two quarters.

Telling stat: 9.3

That’s how many yards Flowers averaged per reception, which was a lot fewer than Boston College’s star receiver is used to. Flowers came in averaging more than 14 per catch after torching Louisville for 151 yards and two scores on just five catches a week earlier, and it became apparent early that Boston College was going to need some big plays through the air to produce points against the nation’s No. 2-ranked run defense. But Clemson’s depleted secondary largely kept things in front and didn’t let Flowers get going. Outside of a 35-yard reception early, the Tigers limited Flowers to 40 just yards on his other seven catches. It was part of a largely suffocating effort on behalf of Clemson’s defense, which limited the Eagles to 3.5 yards per play and racked up 11 tackles for loss.

Some good, bad news for Clemson’s defense

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Clemson will once again be without some key contributors in tonight’s game against Boston College, including some new absences in the secondary. But the Tigers’ defensive line could get a boost against the Eagles. Cornerback …

CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – Clemson will once again be without some key contributors in tonight’s game against Boston College, including some new absences in the secondary.

But the Tigers’ defensive line could get a boost against the Eagles.

Cornerback Sheridan Jones is among the players who didn’t make the trip to Alumni Stadium, according to the travel roster released by the team. Safeties R.J. Mickens and Tyler Venables, two of the team’s top four tacklers, also didn’t travel for the Tigers, who are looking for their 12th consecutive win over the Eagles.

Running back Kobe Pace also didn’t travel.

Meanwhile, Xavier Thomas did travel and could see his first action of the season tonight. The senior defensive end, who had 3.5 sacks and a team-high 17 quarterback pressures a season ago, has been out since injuring his foot during preseason camp.

Corner Malcolm Greene also made the trip after missing Clemson’s win over NC State last week with an undisclosed injury, but it’s yet another game in which the Tigers’ secondary won’t be whole. Jones (stinger) is missing his third straight game while Mickens, who’s started the last three games, will miss his first game of the season despite Swinney saying following last week’s games that the junior was “fine” after sustaining an undisclosed injury in that game.

As for Venables, he finished last week’s game but sported a protective boot on his left foot early this week. Sources tell The Clemson Insider that Venables also sustained minor injuries in a moped accident this week.

Bryan Bresee also didn’t travel, though that was expected. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said earlier in the week that Bresee wouldn’t be available for today’s game. The Tigers’ star defensive tackle also missed last week’s game with a non-football medical issue.

Pregame Buzz: No. 5 Clemson vs. Boston College

Check out the pregame Twitter buzz surrounding Clemson’s third road matchup at the season at Boston College.

With kickoff just hours away, Clemson travels to Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts for the first time in two years and looks to remain undefeated (5-0) on the road this season.

The Tigers come into Saturday’s matchup at Boston College following two back-to-back top 25 wins against a pair of ACC teams in Wake Forest and NC State.

Clemson’s defense hopes to welcome back a number of starters both on the defensive line as well as the backfield. While it is known that the Tigers will be without starting defensive tackle Bryan Bresee, questions still surround if we will see defensive end Xavier Thomas, cornerback Sheridan Jones or linebacker Malcolm Greene back on the field tonight.

On the offensive side, quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei hopes to continue taking the next step at the helm for the Tigers and bring another big performance while Clemson’s receivers and running backs look to have a big game against a solid Eagles defense.

Here’s a look at the pregame buzz surrounding the ACC matchup on Twitter:

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3 defensive keys to a Clemson win at Boston College

Here are three defensive keys for the Tigers ahead of their third-straight ACC matchup at Boston College this weekend.

No. 5 Clemson comes into Week 6 of play with another ACC showdown on the road at Boston College. In their third-straight ACC matchup, the Tigers look to remain undefeated when they take on a Boston College team that has given them a lot of trouble in past meetings.

Facing a seasoned veteran in quarterback Phil Jurkovec along with a talented receiver in Zay Flowers, Clemson’s defense will need to put on another dominant performance on Saturday at Alumni Stadium.

Wes Goodwin’s defense seemed to show improvements last week versus NC State after struggling to make adjustments the week prior at Wake Forest. Clemson’s secondary looks to return key starters in Sheridan Jones and Malcolm Greene though their status is still unknown at this time.

Here are three defensive keys for a Clemson win versus Boston College on the road: