SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 8, 2012
No. 12 Clemson 52, Ball State 27: Tajh Boyd and DeAndre Hopkins hooked up for three first-half touchdowns and Andre Ellington added two rushing scores as the 12th-ranked Tigers easily handled visiting Ball State in their home opener.
Clemson (2-0), which won its eighth straight home game, rolled up more than 500 total yards for the second straight game. Boyd finished 19-for-23 for 229 yards and the three scores. He did not throw an interception.
Hopkins, who set a school record for receptions last week, tied Clemson's single-game mark with his three touchdown catches. He caught six passes for 105 yards, once again picking up the slack with star receiver Sammy Watkins suspended two games for his offseason arrest.
Ball State (1-1) was concerned about the deep pass early, and the Tigers took advantage by picking apart the defense with short passes.
The offensive firepower the Cardinals showcased in their season-opening win over Eastern Michigan was largely lacking against the Tigers. Junior quarterback Keith Wenning was just 16-for-29 for 128 yards with no touchdowns and his first two interceptions of the season.
Horactio Banks rushed for 120 yards on seven carries and scored two touchdowns for Ball State.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Clemson has won all three meetings with Ball State, previously in 1992 and 2002. … Hopkins has posted three straight 100-yard receiving games, the fourth player in Clemson history to do so. … Ball State CB Jeffery Garrett left on the first Clemson possession with a right leg injury, and his backup, Eric Patterson, injured his right shoulder on the first play of the second quarter. … Clemson LG David Beasley was taken to the locker room with an ankle injury just before halftime and did not return. … Clemson OL Reid Webster did not play, serving the first of a two-game suspension for violating team rules.