Clemson QB Boyd ready to face a stern test from LSU
ATLANTA — Monday night’s Chick-fil-A Bowl against LSU is a prime-time national stage for Tajh Boyd and Clemson’s highscoring offense.
Boyd’s coaches and teammates see him as the player destined to grab the bowl spotlight. The dualthreat quarterback led No. 14 Clemson (10-2) with 34 touchdown passes to tie Philip Rivers’ Atlantic Coast Conference singleseason record. He was honored as ACC player of the year.
A win over No. 9 LSU (10-2), one of the powerful Southeastern Conference’s biggest names known for its strong defense, would be a big step for Boyd. It also could be the perfect setup for Clemson’s 2013 season.
LSU ranks eighth in the nation in total defense and 11th in points allowed.
Boyd, a junior, could be playing his final college game. But he sounded as though he was making plans to return when he said this week the program “is on the verge of something great” and “we want a national championship; it’s in sight.”
Clemson needs to score 25 points against LSU to become the most prolific offense in ACC history. Boyd has led Clemson to 37 points or more in 10 of 12 games.
“We want to be the most explosive offense in the country,” Boyd said. “There’s no better stage been looking for, and you can’t ask for anything better than this,” Morris said.
There will be no other bowl competing for the nation’s attention when the Tigers from the SEC and the Tigers from the ACC play in the Georgia Dome.
LSU coach Les Miles said his defense must mix its strategies against Boyd.
“There has to be a point in time where you keep him in the pocket and you play coverage and there’s an opportunity to rush the passer with four guys,” Miles said. “I think anytime a quarterback can pull it down and go get yards, there’s an added responsibility to those guys that are rushing the passer.”