Clemson Upsets Texas A

Clemson’s Jad Dean lined up for a field goal with a few ticks left on the clock that would decide the game -- just as he predicted to his friends earlier in the week.

“I told them we’d be down by two and I would get a chance to do this,” he said.

Dean made the 42-yard kick, his school-record sixth field goal of the game, with two seconds left and Clemson beat No. 17 Texas A&M;, 25-24, on Saturday night at Clemson, S.C.

The Aggies looked as though they would grab an opening night win after versatile star Reggie McNeal led a fourth-quarter touchdown drive that ended with his 31-yard pass to Chad Schroeder for a 24-22 lead.

But the Tigers, playing the final quarter without starting quarterback Charlie Whitehurst, took over with 3:40 left and drove to Texas A&M;’s 25 on eight straight carries by freshman James Davis.

After a time out by the Aggies, Dean struck the game-winner straight through the uprights.

Dean finished six of six on the night with field goals of 21, 21, 25, 18 and 44 yards in addition to his game-winner.

Whitehurst was apparently knocked on the helmet as he slid during a three-yard gain. The fifth-year senior was kept out because he was woozy from the hit.

No. 22 Boston College 20, Brigham Young 3 -- Quinton Porter passed for 232 yards and two touchdowns in his first game in nearly two years and the Eagles spoiled the debut of new BYU Coach Bronco Mendenhall at Provo, Utah.

Porter, who red-shirted last year after starting 10 games in 2003 before missing the end of the season with a hand injury, completed 27 of 35 passes. Both his touchdowns came on passes to Chris Miller.

BYU lost for the 11th straight time against a ranked opponent and lost its first season opener since 2000.

No. 25 Virginia 31, Western Michigan 19 -- Marques Hagans threw one touchdown pass and ran for another score and mistake-prone Virginia did most of its scoring in the first 17 1/2 minutes to win at Charlottesville, Va.

The Cavaliers, unable to stop the Broncos’ short passing game most of the night, led only 24-19 when they finally got the stop they needed with 11 minutes left.

East Carolina 24, Duke 21 -- James Pinkney ran for two touchdowns and threw for a score in Skip Holtz’s debut as Pirate coach at Greenville, N.C.

Aundrae Allison had 10 catches for 163 yards and a score for the Pirates, who won their season opener for the first time since 2000. Zach Baker added two interceptions and a fumble recovery to lead a solid defensive effort that made the Blue Devils work for every yard.

Maryland 23, Navy 20 -- Sam Hollenbach threw an 11-yard touchdown pass to Drew Weatherly with 61 seconds left, capping a frantic 82-yard drive that carried Maryland to the win at Baltimore.