With Trevor Lawrence out, Clemson freshman DJ Uiagalelei delivers big game vs BC
The freshman can play.
Filling in for Clemson star quarterback Trevor Lawrence — who tested positive for COVID-19 — true freshman D.J. Uiagalelei turned in a performance reminiscent of the golden-haired junior.
In No. 1 Clemson’s 34-28 win over Boston College, Uiagalelei completed 30 of 41 passes for 342 yards, passing for two touchdowns and rushing for one.
Uiagalelei (pronounced oo-ee-AHN-gah-leh-lay) found the end zone on Clemson’s first drive, recognizing a Boston College blitz and finding running back Travis Etienne on a short pass that Etienne took for a 35-yard touchdown.
The Tiger offense stalled from that point forward, with Etienne fumbling at the goal-line. The Eagles took a double-digit lead into halftime. But Uiagalelei found a rhythm in the second half, igniting the Clemson offense with a 30-yard rushing touchdown. He added touchdown passes to Amari Rodgers and again to Etienne to reclaim the lead for the Tigers.
The 18-point deficit was the largest Clemson has overcome at home since 1966.
Clemson-BC game stats
RUSHING—Boston College, Levy 10-40, D.Bailey 14-32, Flowers 1-4, (Team) 1-(minus 1), Jurkovec 8-(minus 8). Clemson, Etienne 20-84, Uiagalelei 6-25, Dixon 3-0, (Team) 2-(minus 3).
PASSING—Boston College, Grosel 1-1-0-4, Jurkovec 12-24-0-204. Clemson, Uiagalelei 30-41-0-342, (Team) 0-2-0-0.
RECEIVING—Boston College, Lewis 5-66, Flowers 3-63, Long 3-23, Gill 1-48, J.Galloway 1-8. Clemson, Powell 11-105, Etienne 7-140, Rodgers 7-66, E.Williams 2-24, Br.Spector 2-1, D.Allen 1-6.
MISSED FIELD GOALS—None.
This story was originally published October 31, 2020 at 4:19 PM.
