College football roundup: Former Crest standout helps No. 1 Clemson avoid upset and other results

By Richard Walker

Saturday was a big day in college football for local products, especially for No. 1 Clemson as a former Crest standout helped the Tigers hold off upset-minded Boston College.

Here’s a look at how it all transpired:

Clemson 34, Boston College 28: With heralded quarterback Trevor Lawrence sidelined after a positive COVID-19 test and Boston College taking a 28-13 halftime lead on Saturday, former Crest standout Lannden Zanders (Crest 2019 graduate) helped the Tigers’ pitch a second half shutout and stave off an upset.

Zanders, who made his seventh start of the season at strong safety, made three tackles, including a quarterback sack as No. 1 Clemson (7-0, 6-0) kept its record perfect heading into next Saturday night’s game at Notre Dame.

Virginia 44, North Carolina 41: Former East Lincoln standout Chazz Surratt (East Lincoln 2016) made 10 tackles in his sixth straight start at inside linebacker for the Tar Heels but it wasn’t enough to avoid the upset loss at Virginia.

British Brooks (Ashbrook 2018) played in his fifth game of the year on special teams for UNC.

The No. 15 Tar Heels (4-2, 4-2) visits ACC rival Duke next Saturday.

Duke 53, Charlotte 19: Charlotte hoped to pick up its first win over an ACC opponent against the reeling Blue Devils.

But Duke (2-5) scored the game’s first 24 points and was never threatened by the 49ers (2-3).

For the Blue Devils, Tony Davis (Hunter Huss 2019) played in his second game as a reserve defensive back. And Charlotte got 57 yards rushing and one touchdown on 13 carries from Tre Harbison (Crest 2016) and 80 all-purpose yards (46 kickoff returns and 34 yards rushing) from Calvin Camp (Shelby 2017). It was Harbison’s fourth touchdown of the season.

Duke hosts ACC rival North Carolina next Saturday while Charlotte, now 0-3 all-time against ACC opponents, returns to Conference USA action in a road game at Middle Tennessee.

Tulsa 34, East Carolina 30 (Friday): The American Athletic Conference admitted in a statement on Saturday that officials made a mistake on a fourth quarter play that aided Tulsa’s come-from-behind win over the visiting Pirates.

For ECU, Chris Willis (Crest 2016) made his third straight start at defensive end and had five tackles, including a sack, and Aaron Ramseur (Crest 2016) had three tackles as a backup linebacker. East Carolina (1-4, 1-3) hosts Tulane next Saturday.