No. 9 Clemson scores 3 touchdowns in 4th quarter to pull away to 40-27 win over Maryland

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) tries to outrun Maryland linebacker Marcus Whitfield in the first half of an NCAA college football game in College Park, Md., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (The Associated Press)

Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd (10) throws a pass to tight end Sam Cooper in the first half of an NCAA college football game against Maryland in College Park, Md., Saturday, Oct. 26, 2013. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky) (The Associated Press)

COLLEGE PARK, Md. – Tajh Boyd threw for a touchdown and ran for a score, Sammy Watkins had a school-record 14 catches for 163 yards and No. 9 Clemson wore down injury-riddled Maryland 40-27 Saturday.

Boyd went 28 for 41 for 304 yards with an interception and Roderick McDowell rushed for 161 yards and two touchdowns to help the Tigers (7-1, 5-1 ACC) rebound from last week's 51-14 defeat against Florida State.

Clemson ran 98 plays compared to 70 for Maryland (5-3, 1-3) and finished with a 551-364 advantage in total yardage. But the Tigers needed four field goals from Chandler Catanzaro to take a 19-13 lead into the fourth quarter.

After that, however, Maryland's defense finally caved.