Clemson Football: 3 takeaways from close win over Boston College

2. Clemson’s defense is outstanding

Boston College came into this game, averaging 220 rushing yards on the season. The Tigers held the Eagles to just 46 yards on the ground tonight. The Eagles had issues moving the football all game long against the Tigers’ stout defense.

In addition to limiting the Eagles to 1.4 yards per carry on the ground, the Tigers had two interceptions, sacking Dennis Grosel four times during the game. Boston College needed big plays to get the ball into scoring range.

The Clemson defense did not allow the Boston College offense to sustain drives during the game. The Eagles were just 5-for-15 on third down and did not convert their only fourth-down try of the game.

Coming into the game, the defense was not the issue for the Tigers. The Clemson defense had allowed just 12 points per game and 296.5 total yards per game. It has been the Tigers’ defense that has kept them in their games this season.

The defense has been rock solid despite the injures sustained by Clemson’s defense. The Tigers’ two best defensive linemen, Bryan Breese and Tyler Davis, both missed this game. Breese is out for the year, and Davis will miss 5-7 weeks.

Brent Venables continues to prove why he’s one of the best defensive coordinators in the country.