Clemson Upsets Virginia

Clemson seemed to be a team in trouble early this season after being embarrassed, 45-0, by North Carolina and then squeaking by Division I-AA Furman.

Now, they seem more like the Tigers of old after upsetting No. 15 Virginia, 24-16, Saturday in an Atlantic Coast Conference game at Charlottesville, Va.

Running back Kelton Dunnican, who also plays on special teams, recovered a muffed punt at the Virginia one to set up a touchdown that gave Clemson a 14-3 lead and then scored on a 54-yard run in the fourth quarter to make it 24-9 with 6:47 left to play.

“As the season progresses, we’re getting stronger and stronger,” said Dunnican, who had a career-high 123 yards in 13 carries.

Clemson, 6-3 overall and 5-2 in the ACC, kept Virginia’s Tiki Barber under 100 yards (85) and out of the end zone for the first time this season. The Tigers also had eight sacks for the second straight game.

Virginia (6-3, 4-3) lost at home for the first time this season.

No. 3 Florida State 44, Wake Forest 7--New quarterback, same old story for Seminoles, who took another step toward the much-anticipated showdown with No. 1 Florida on Nov. 30 with the rout at Orlando, Fla., that clinched a fifth consecutive ACC championship.

Redshirt freshman Dan Kendra threw for 281 yards and three touchdowns as a fill-in for Thad Busby, sidelined with a hairline fracture in his left wrist.

Florida State (8-0, 7-0) has won the ACC every year since joining the league in 1992, compiling a 38-1 conference record.

Wake Forest is 2-7 and 0-6.

No. 8 North Carolina 28, Louisville 10--The Tar Heels (8-1) held the Cardinals (5-5) to one yard rushing but also had their own problems for one of the few times this season in a nonconference game at Chapel Hill, N.C.

The Tar Heels had only two first downs after scoring on their opening drive of the third quarter.

Brian Simmons sealed the North Carolina victory with an 84-yard interception return for a touchdown with 3:17 left.

North Carolina quarterback Chris Keldorf started two-for-11 passing with a fumble and his first interception after a school-record streak of 143. But the junior from Manhattan Beach bounced back to throw two touchdowns passes before halftime.

North Carolina State 44, Duke 22--Reserve fullback Carlos King, pressed into duty at Raleigh, N.C. because starter Rod Brown had a family emergency, scored two touchdowns and set up a third to help the Wolfpack (2-6, 2-4) snap a three-game losing streak.

Duke is 0-9 and 0-6.