Clemson phenom D.J. Uiagalelei as good as advertised in first start with Trevor Lawrence out

D.J. Uiagalelei was as good as advertised in his first start for Clemson.

In his first career start for Clemson football, D.J. Uiagalelei certainly lived up to the hype.

This was a tough spot for the No. 1 Clemson Tigers. Their best player in quarterback Trevor Lawrence was unable to play on Saturday vs. the Boston College Eagles because of a positive coronavirus test. He is expected to return vs. the Notre Dame Fighting Irish next Saturday, but what a phenomenal first career start for Uiagalelei in relief of the Heisman Trophy favorite.

D.J. Uiagalelei gave us a sneak preview of Clemson’s football future

Uiagalelei completed 30-of-41 passing for 342 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had six carries for 25 yards and a touchdown. Clemson was down 28-13 heading into halftime, but 24 unanswered points helped the Tigers hold off from an embarrassing home loss to an improving Boston College.

Uiagalelei came up big when it counted.

https://twitter.com/accnetwork/status/1322604896038866949

Unless Lawrence is adamant about not playing for the New York Jets, this will be his final season in Clemson uniform. That means it will be all about DJ U for the next few years in Death Valley. Again, this was not an easy spot for Clemson. Boston College has played some great ball for first-year head coach Jeff Hafley, enough to start turning some heads and briefly have control of Clemson.

Though the Tigers may be more talented than Boston College, as well as this one being at home, a lesser quarterback would have struggled under the pressure to keep a perfect season alive against an on-the-rise Boston College team. While the Eagles are not in the upper crust of the ACC, Clemson was challenged vs. Boston College and Uiagalelei was the second-half difference.

The value in Uiagalelei being able to start this game will serve Clemson in 2020 and beyond.

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