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No. 10 Clemson dominates Maryland

Nov 11, 2012 - 2:20 AM Clemson, SC (Sports Network) - Tajh Boyd threw for 261 yards and three touchdowns as No. 10 Clemson clobbered Maryland, 45-10, in an ACC battle at Memorial Stadium on Saturday.

Boyd completed 18-of-26 through the air, while backup Cole Stoudt connected on 5-of-8 passes for 40 yards and a touchdown for the Tigers (9-1, 6-1 ACC), who have won six in a row.

"We are a very focused program and we have had great leadership all season," Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. "This group of Tigers is the most consistent at home, with our 12th consecutive home win. It starts with how we practice."

Andre Ellington ran for 55 yards and a touchdown, while Roderick McDowell rushed for 51 yards on 11 carries.

DeAndre Hopkins caught four passes for 59 yards and a touchdown, while Brandon Ford, Adam Humphries and Stanton Seckinger all hauled in TD passes in the triumph.

Brandon Ross had a big day on the ground for the Terrapins (4-6, 2-4) running for 100 yards on 16 carries, and Shawn Petty threw for just 41 yards and a touchdown on 6-of-12 passing in Maryland's fourth consecutive setback.

"I thought that Brandon Ross had a good day," Maryland coach Randy Edsall said. "I thought he ran hard. I thought he showed something. We just have to go back to work tomorrow and get better."

After the sides exchanged punts to open the game, Clemson got on the board on its second possession of the game. Boyd completed 4-of-5 passes on the 7-play, 52-yard drive, which culminated with a 13-yard TD strike to Humphries, giving Clemson the early lead.

On the first play of the ensuing Maryland drive, Petty had the ball knocked out of his hand. It was scooped up by Corey Crawford, who hustled 16 yards to the end zone for the score and a 14-0 Tigers lead.

With just over five minutes to play in the opening quarter, Maryland found itself with good field position and a first down at the Clemson 41, but Petty was hit and lost the ball again on the play. The fumble was recovered by Malliciah Goodman at the Tigers' 47.

From there, Boyd led a 7-play trek to the Maryland 28 and hit Hopkins in the back left corner of the end zone for a 28-yard touchdown pass and a comfortable 21-0 lead.

On their next touch, Clemson bridged the first and second quarters with a 7- play, 60-yard drive and Boyd finished it off with a 22-yard touchdown strike to Ford, expanding the lead to 28-0.

Maryland got on the board early in the second quarter following a botched punt return by Clemson.

After being stopped on third down, Nathan Renfro punted the ball away for the Terps, but Humphries was unable to field it and it was recovered at the Clemson 18 by Anthony Nixon.

Two plays later, Petty found Devonte Campbell alone in the end zone for the score, pulling the Terps within 28-7.

Clemson added another TD late in the first half as Ellington capped a 9-play, 66-yard drive with a 6-yard run to the end zone, putting the Tigers up 35-7 at the break.

A 22-yard chip shot field goal by Chandler Catanzaro on Clemson's first possession of the second half gave the Tigers a 38-7 advantage.

Facing a 4th-and-16 with 6:12 to play in the third, Spencer Benton attempted a 55-yard field goal, which fell short and was fielded and returned all the way to the Clemson 26.

Maryland was only able to reach the 21 and Brad Craddock nailed a 39-yard field goal, cutting the deficit to 38-10.

Boyd was pulled after the third quarter, but the Clemson offense kept rolling as Stoudt led a 16-play, 76-yard drive to the Maryland four before hitting Seckinger with a 4-yard touchdown pass, extending the cushion to 45-10.

Game Notes

Clemson leads the all-time series 33-26-2. These two sides have met every year since 1952, the longest active continuous rivalry for either school in ACC play ... Clemson scored at least 35 points in the first half for the third straight week ... Clemson won its 12th consecutive game at Memorial Stadium, a new school record for most consecutive home wins in that stadium ... Maryland converted just 1-of-13 third down chances, while Clemson went 6- for-14 on third down opportunities.