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College football

ACC: Tight win par for course for Clemson

Associated Press
Published September 11, 2005

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COLLEGE PARK, Md. - Put Clemson in a close game, and more often than not the Tigers will do precisely what it takes to win.

Such was the case Saturday against Maryland, and Clemson responded in typical fashion.

"We're used to it," said Tigers quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, who produced two touchdowns in the final eight minutes. "We do it every week."

Reggie Merriweather scored his second touchdown on a 38-yard run with 2:58 left, capping a furious fourth-quarter rally that carried No. 25 Clemson to a 28-24 victory.

Clemson trailed 24-14 before Whitehurst's second touchdown pass to Curtis Baham cut the deficit to three with 7:35 left.

After a Maryland punt, Whitehurst directed a 61-yard drive that concluded on Merriweather's carry around right end on third and 7.

Clemson was involved in a game decided by seven points or fewer for the eighth time in 13 games. The Tigers have won six, including 25-24 over Texas A&M last week.

No. 7 Va. Tech 45, Duke 0

DURHAM, N.C. - Marcus Vick threw three touchdowns and the Hokies turned in a dominating defensive performance.

Roland Minor returned an interception for a touchdown for Virginia Tech, which remained unbeaten in conference road games since joining last season.

Duke finished with 35 yards on 53 plays, made worse by the Blue Devils' nine penalties for 68 yards. Virginia Tech's defenders spent plenty of time in the backfield, tallying 10 tackles for a loss and holding Duke to 13 yards rushing on 35 attempts.

No. 17 Ga. Tech 27, North Carolina 21

ATLANTA - Reggie Ball threw for two touchdowns and a career-high 320 yards, including eight passes for 131 yards to Damarius Bilbo, as the Yellow Jackets held off the Tar Heels.

After North Carolina pulled within six late in the game, the Tar Heels stopped Tech on three plays and took possession at its 41 with 2:51 left. Tech's Dennis Davis intercepted Matt Baker's long pass near the goal line to end the threat.

The Tar Heels got the ball at their 19 with 44 seconds left, but Baker's third interception of the game ended the comeback hopes.

No. 19 BC 44, Army 7

BOSTON - Will Blackmon ran across the field and turned the corner for a 41-yard touchdown in the second quarter, and Boston College remained unbeaten heading into its conference opener.

The Eagles host No. 11 Florida State on Saturday in their first league game since defecting from the Big East. They'll bring a Top 20 ranking into the game thanks to an easy victory over Army that pleased coach Tom O'Brien, who went to Navy and coached there, too.

[Last modified September 11, 2005, 01:14:18]

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