MVP performance in season debut a good shot in the arm for Thomas | The Clemson Insider Welcome to The Clemson Insider's European Union Experience. MVP performance in season debut a good shot in the arm for Thomas MVP performance in season debut a good shot in the arm for Thomas Football MVP performance in season debut a good shot in the arm for Thomas By Gavin Oliver October 9, 2022 2:32 am By Gavin Oliver | October 9, 2022 2:32 am ET Xavier Thomas missed the first five games of this season after injuring his foot during preseason camp, but made his return to game action on Saturday night. The fifth-year Clemson defensive end didn’t play much in the fifth-ranked Tigers’ 31-3 win over Boston College at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill, Mass. However, Thomas made his presence felt when he was on the field, registering two sacks in just six plays to take home the McFadden-O’Rourke Leather Helmet Award given to the MVP of the Clemson-Boston College game. “How about Xavier Thomas,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said after the game. “We just tried to get him a few plays on some third downs tonight for his confidence, and for him to go out and get two sacks, that bodes well for us as we move forward. So, really proud of him.” Thomas wasn’t sure if he would be on the Tigers’ travel roster for Saturday’s game, and Swinney didn’t know if Thomas would be able to suit up against the Eagles. But he felt great in pregame warmups, and after speaking with Swinney, they decided to work him back in Saturday night. Swinney went on to explain that Thomas had his best week of practice as far as being able to get into the rhythm of things but was a little sore on Wednesday and then was somewhat limited on Thursday, so he wasn’t sure what his status would be for Saturday’s game. “I was like worse case, let’s make the trip, let’s get back in the rhythm of Focus Friday, pregame,” Swinney said. “And of course, the doctors cleared him last week, so it’s just kind of him getting his conditioning back and getting the competitive work. So, it was really just kind of on him, let’s go through pregame and if you feel like you can go, then let’s slip in there for a few plays on some third downs only, and then come back Monday and try to ramp it up. “So, that was big for him. He felt great. When he came in after pregame, that’s what I asked him. I said, ‘What you think?’ He said, ‘Coach, I’m ready.’ And I said, ‘Alright, just stay ready.’” Thomas was certainly ready when his number was called, showing that he’s healthy again while showing off what he’s capable of with his skills and talent. In the third quarter, he recorded his first sack of the season – his first since recording one against Boston College last October – and on the play, he forced the fifth fumble of his career and his first forced fumble since Oct. 30, 2021 vs. Florida State. Thomas added his second sack of the game in the fourth quarter, tying his single-game career high set at NC State last season. “His confidence, he’ll come out of this with a big boost and just trusting where he’s at with his rehab,” Swinney said. “He’s in a good spot, and doctors feel good about where he’s at and safe for him to go play. So to be able to see him have a night like that was awesome, and just again, hopefully he can ramp it up this week a little bit more and we can continue to bring him along.” Thomas, who had 3.5 sacks and a team-high 17 quarterback pressures a season ago, persevered after suffering the setback in fall camp. His hard work to get back onto the field paid off Saturday night, and Swinney believes that performance will help propel the star pass rusher moving forward this season. “He’s stayed confident. It certainly has been disappointing,” Swinney said. “He was having a great camp, but we just kept him encouraged and he just kept working, kept grinding. The doctors have done a great job with him. Every day after practice, he’s out there and then he’s in the weight room. He’s always working. I think he’s very focused and knew that he would get an opportunity to get back out there.” “He’s been close the last couple weeks,” Swinney continued. “I wasn’t sure if he would play tonight. I really wasn’t. … But he felt great. The good Lord blessed him tonight, and I’m thankful for that. That’ll be a good shot in the arm for him.” Dear Old Clemson is excited to announce a limited edition football and poster signed by Clemson’s Avengers. Now there is a new way you can support Clemson student-athletes. Purchase collectibles from Dear Old Clemson and the proceeds with go to support Clemson student-athletes. Visit Dear Old Clemson to find out how you can help! Boston College, Clemson football, Dabo Swinney, Xavier Thomas, Football More TCI 6hr ago Football Clemson's backfield takes a hit Latest 6hr Clemson' s backfield takes a hit CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — While most of the attrition Clemson is dealing with lies on the defensive side of the ball, the Tigers’ offense has also taken a hit. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney revealed following the (…) 8hr The 4-1-1 on Clemson' s runaway win over Boston College CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. – No. 5 Clemson pulled away from Boston College on Saturday at Alumni Stadium to improve to 6-0 and 4-0 in the ACC. Here are four sequences that went a long way in determining the (…) 8hr Clemson moves past Boston College with dominant second half It was another tale of two halves for a Clemson team that shut out Boston College in the second half of Saturday’s 31-3 at Alumni Stadium in Chestnut Hill. Clinging onto a touchdown lead at the half, Clemson (…) 8hr Dominant Clemson D shuts down Boston College in impressive showing Clemson’s defense put together a very impressive performance in the fifth-ranked Tigers’ 31-3 victory over Boston College at Alumni Stadium on Saturday night. The Tigers dominated defensively for most (…) 9hr Fourth-quarter TD puts Tigers in complete control against Eagles Clemson took complete control in tonight’s game at Boston College with a touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter. DJ Uiagalelei hit a wide-open Beaux Collins in the end zone for a 10-yard score that (…) 9hr Clemson strikes quickly early in second half After not scoring a touchdown until the final minute of the first half, it didn’t take Clemson long to find the end zone against Boston College in the second half. DJ Uiagalelei dropped in a beautifully (…) 9hr Bart Boatwright' s Halftime Photo Gallery No 5 Clemson 10 Boston College 3 CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Fifth-ranked Clemson headed into halftime at Alumni Stadium with a 10-3 lead over Boston College. Check out The Clemson Insider’s photo gallery from the first two quarters of play: (…) 10hr Clemson takes halftime lead at Boston College It wasn’t pretty, but Clemson headed into halftime at Alumni Stadium with a 10-3 lead over Boston College. In Chestnut Hill, Clemson came firing out of the gate and drove the football down the field at will. (…) 10hr Game' s first TD gives Clemson lead over Boston College Clemson finally scored the first touchdown of tonight’s game at Boston College toward the end of the first half, and it gave the fifth-ranked Tigers the lead in the final minute of the second quarter. Sophomore (…) 13hr Bart Boatwright' s Photo Gallery Clemson arrives at Boston College CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. — Fifth-ranked Clemson has arrived for tonight’s 7:30 p.m. game against Boston College at the Eagles’ Alumni Stadium. Check out Bart Boatwright’s photo gallery of the Tigers’ arrival: (…) More The Clemson Insider Meet The TCI Staff Powered by WordPress VIP Home Home Forums The Rock All In Recruiting Tweet That Joe's Place Football Depth Tracker Football Roster Football Schedule Scholarship Tracker Baseball 2015 Baseball Commits 2016 Baseball Commits 2017 Baseball Commits 2018 Baseball Commits 2019 Baseball Commits 2020 Baseball Commits 2021 Baseball Commits Baseball Schedule Baseball Roster Recruiting 2017 Football Commitments 2018 Football Commitments 2019 Football Commitments 2020 Football Commitments 2021 Commitments 2022 Commits 2023 Commits Football Recruits Basketball Basketball Roster Basketball Schedule Galleries Olympic TCI's Student Alumni Meet The TCI Staff Powered by WordPress VIP