On This Date: 1987 (9)Clemson- 45 Maryland- 16

Nov 14, 2024, 8:52 AM

11/14/1987
Clemson, SC

COLLEGE FOOTBALL : South Roundup : Clemson Clinches ACC Title, 45-16

L.A. TIMES ARCHIVES
FROM TIMES WIRE SERVICES

For all its success, Clemson has had its problems with Maryland over the years. Only one player now with the ninth-ranked Tigers knew what it was like to defeat the Terrapins. And Maryland was the only Atlantic Coast Conference team to have a winning record against Coach Danny Ford.

But that all changed Saturday as Rodney Williams threw for a pair of touchdowns and Terry Allen rushed for two more scores as Clemson defeated the Terrapins, 45-16, at Clemson, S.C., to win its second straight ACC title.

After seeing his team struggle at times this year, Ford, who is 4-4-1 against Maryland, said the Tigers played their best game of the season.

“I think we’re pretty close to being the kind of football team we want to be,” he said. “I thought that we showed today that we are a very good football team.”

Maryland first-year Coach Joe Krivak said bad field position and too many mistakes cost his club.
“It was a good, ol’ fashioned knockdown, dragout whipping,” Krivak said. “They were by far the best team on the field today. “They made some mistakes and it didn’t hurt them. We made them and it does.”

Clemson, 9-1 overall and 6-1 in the ACC, has won a record 10 titles outright and tied for another.

Clemson also solidified its bowl possibilities, with the Tigers apparently going to the Florida Citrus Bowl, although bowl bids can’t be offered officially until next weekend. For the Terrapins, 4-6 and 3-3, this will be their first losing season since 1981.

Allen, who rushed for 103 yards, scored on runs of 8 and 2 yards in the second period, and Williams connected with Gary Cooper on touchdown pass plays of 50 and 44 yards as the Tigers downed Maryland for the first time since 1983.

Clemson clinched the ACC title last year by tying the Terrapins, 17-17. Between them, Clemson and Maryland have won the last seven ACC titles.