Clemson Plays It Close to the Best, as Usual

Put Clemson in a close game, and more often than not the Tigers will do whatever it takes to win.

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

“We’re used to it,” said Tiger 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 remaining, capping a furious fourth-quarter rally that carried No. 25 Clemson to a 28-24 victory.

Clemson (2-0, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) trailed, 24-14, before Whitehurst’s second touchdown pass to Curtis Baham cut the deficit to three points with 7:35 remaining.

After a punt by Maryland, Whitehurst directed a 61-yard drive that concluded with Merriweather’s pivotal carry around right end on third and seven.

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

“I think the team right now has the mentality that if we play hard for 60 minutes, something can happen to swing it our way,” Coach Tommy Bowden said. “That’s hard to instill in a team.”

Maryland Coach Ralph Friedgen knows. His young team, which includes 72 sophomores and freshmen, withered with the game hanging in the balance.

“It’s a tough loss because we really had the game in hand,” Friedgen said. “Give credit to Clemson -- they really took it to us in the fourth quarter. We’ve got to learn how to finish people.”

Whitehurst completed 18 of 22 passes for 178 yards. With Clemson down by 10, he took the Tigers 86 yards in five plays, including a long pass to Baham that covered the final 51 yards.

“Perfect throw, right on the money,” Baham said. “It all boils down to execution. When you execute, that’s the result.”

Merriweather gained 75 yards in 10 carries, and James Davis ran for 82 yards in 20 attempts.

Sam Hollenbach was 18 for 28 for 288 yards and two touchdowns for Maryland (1-1, 0-1). His main target was Vernon Davis, who had six catches for 140 yards and a touchdown.

Maryland running back Mario Merrills, who ran for a career-high 149 yards in the opener against Navy, was limited to 21 yards in 15 carries.

Maryland finished with 56 yards in 40 attempts.