Tigers Climb One Spot In AP Poll

CLEMSON, S.C. (WOLO) — Clemson moved up another spot in this week’s Associated Press Top 25 poll from no. 12 to no. 11. Saturday, the Tigers played their final game without star receiver Sammy Watkins Saturday against Ball State, winning 52-27. Receiver DeAndre Hopkins has played very well in Watkins absence. In Clemson’s first two games, the junior receiver has 19 receptions for 224 yards, and four touchdowns — three of them in Saturday’s win. According to head coach Dabo Swinney, Hopkins, who goes by the nickname, “Nuk,” has flown under the radar. Swinney also said the chemistry on the field between him and quarterback Tajh Boyd is a result of the two playing together for a while now. “They’re just veterans,” said Swinney. “They spend all their time together. Nuk’s a junior, Tajh’s a fourth-year junior. They’ve played a lot of football. We all remember Nuk as a freshman. He did a lot of good things, but freshmen are freshmen. Juniors are a beautiful thing to see.” Sammy Watkins returns to the gridiron for Saturday’s game against Furman in Death Valley. Game time is 3:00pm.