COLLEGE PARK, Md. -- James Davis backed up his guarantee of a Clemson victory, running for 129 yards and a touchdown to lead the Tigers past mistake-prone Maryland 30-17 Saturday.
Clemson (6-2, 3-2 ACC) led 20-3 at halftime and coasted. Cullen Harper threw two touchdown passes to tie the single-season school record of 21, set by Woodrow Dantzler in 2001 and matched by Charlie Whitehurst in 2003.
Maryland (4-4, 1-3) scored on its first drive, but lost the ball twice and committed several costly penalties as the Tigers built their lead in the first half. The Terrapins scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter after Clemson went up 30-3.
Early in the week, Davis declared, "We're going to win, guaranteed." The junior tailback said he was merely responding to a comment by Maryland coach Ralph Friedgen, who said he "expects to win" despite fielding a team decimated by injuries.
Davis, who had 29 carries, led a running game that amassed 249 yards. C.J. Spiller gained 106 yards, and Harper went 20-for-26 for 179 yards.
Clemson is 31-1 under coach Tommy Bowden when rushing for at least 200 yards.
The previous three games in the series were decided by 4 points or fewer.
Clemson 0 20 3 7 -- 30
Maryland 3 0 0 14 -- 17
Md--FG Egekeze 35
Clem--FG Buchholz 35
Clem--Kelly 27 pass from Harper (Buchholz kick)
Clem--Davis 1 run (Buchholz kick)
Clem--FG Buchholz 34
Clem--FG Buchholz 20
Clem--Palmer 2 pass from Harper (Buchholz kick)
Md--L.Ball 2 run (Egekeze kick)
Md--Lattimore 1 run (Egekeze kick)
A--50,948
Clemson Maryland
First downs 27 18
Rushes-yards 56-249 32-97
Passing 179 217
Comp-Att-Int 20-26-0 19-31-1
Return Yards 29 0
Punts-Avg. 2-37.0 4-35.8
Fumbles-Lost 2-1 2-1
Penalties-Yards 7-55 5-32
Time of Possession 36:29 23:31
Individual Statistics
RUSHING--Clemson, Davis 29-129, Spiller 17-106, Harper 5-12, Ford 2-8, Team 3-(minus 6). Maryland, L.Ball 10-53, Lattimore 16-51, Henderson 1-12, Turner 5-(minus 19).
PASSING--Clemson, Harper 20-26-0-179. Maryland, Turner 19-31-1-217.
RECEIVING--Clemson, Kelly 5-54, Spiller 5-37, Grisham 4-32, Ford 3-37, Palmer 2-13, Faerber 1-6. Maryland, I.Williams 5-47, Haynos 5-46, L.Williams 3-36, Lattimore 3-15, Cannon 2-60, L.Ball 1-13.
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