QB Lawrence welcomes critics, wins for No. 4 Clemson

CLEMSON - Trevor Lawrence doesn't mind the critics, just as long as the victories keep coming for No. 4 Clemson.

The Tigers' sophomore quarterback, a favorite for the Heisman Trophy when the year began, has largely fallen out of the award conversation with a very up and down season so far. He's had eight interceptions, double the amount of his national championship freshman season, and seems to have his technique, arm strength and decision making picked apart at every turn.

Lawrence and the Tigers (7-0, 5-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) look to win their 23rd straight game _ a streak coinciding with Lawrence's college career _ when it faces Boston College (4-3, 2-2) on Saturday night.

"It's just part of the position that we're in, just comes with it," Lawrence said. "Just have to ignore it the best you and can keep that stuff, I guess, outside of your circle."

Despite all the hot takes downgrading Lawrence's play, Clemson's offense has kept pace with last year's national title group. The Tigers lead the ACC in points per game (40.7) and are second to Wake Forest in total offense (504.7).

A year ago, Clemson averaged more than 44 points and 527 yards a game.

Lawrence has thrown for 1,543 yards and 14 touchdowns, but all anyone wants to talk about, Swinney said, are those eight interceptions.

Swinney said Lawrence has a similar mindset of Clemson's last national title-winning passer Deshaun Watson. "He was always going to make the next play," Swinney said. "That's how Trevor is."

He certainly showed that in a 45-10 win over Louisville last week. Lawrence had two first-half interceptions, yet finished with three touchdowns and 233 yards passing.

Things to watch for when Boston College faces No. 4 Clemson:

HAPPY POTTER

Clemson kicker B.T. Potter shared a meal with head coach Dabo Swinney a few days after his very public chastising for missing a chip-shot field goal against Florida State on Oct. 12. And that, Potter said, helped him get back on track as he made a 51-yard kick in last week's win over Louisville. Potter and Swinney ate together at Clemson's football facility and the coach told him he had confidence in his kicker. "That really helped me," Potter said. "That was definitely one of the best parts of last week."

ON THE GROUND

BC quarterback Dennis Grosel made his first career start in the 45-24 victory over N.C. State, and he got a lot of help from the running game.

AJ Dillon ran for 223 yards and three touchdowns, and David Bailey gained 181 yards and scored twice _ on 54- and 48-yard runs in the second quarter to turn a 10-3 game into a blowout. Grosel completed only 6 of 15 pass attempts for 103 yards, but he also ran for 11 yards on a third-and-10 from the BC 2 to start a 98-yard scoring drive. "Really nifty, smart running," coach Steve Addazio said. "He's going to continue to grow with every game."

MISSING DEFENDERS

Clemson hopes to have two defensive starters back from injuries against Boston College on Saturday night in end Xavier Thomas and cornerback Derion Kendrick. Thomas missed last week at Louisville after getting hurt at practice and entering the concussion protocol. Kendrick left the Louisville game with turf toe. He is hopeful but unsure if the two will be back this week.

HOME AGAIN

BC defensive end Richard Yeargin spent four years at Clemson, missing the last two after he was injured in a car accident. The graduate transfer has played in all seven games, with eight tackles four for a loss and a half sack. "He went through some really tough stuff for a couple of years, and little by little, he's chipped away at that," Addazio said. "He certainly loved Clemson. He loved his experience, loved his teammates and his coaches. ... He's pretty fired up, as you can imagine he would be."

HARSH CRITIC

Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons, a contender for ACC defensive player of the year, leads the Tigers in about every defensive metric you can think of with 56 tackles, six sacks and 10 stops behind the line of scrimmage. He says he's his hardest on himself when he makes an error and Tigers defensive coordinator Brent Venables does not try to boost Simmons' spirits. "I usually agree with him," Venables joked. "I'm hard on him, too."