By Will Vandervort.

By Will Vandervort

CLEMSON — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has talked about building a consistent winner. One who year in and year out is competing for national and conference championships and consistently is being talked about.

By beating Maryland 45-10 Saturday in Death Valley, the Tigers notched their ninth win of the season, marking the second consecutive year Clemson started a season 9-1.

“It’s a daily commitment to continue consistency,” Swinney said. “We have been lucky to have guys stay healthy, but even when players get injured we can count on the rest of the team to step up.”

Next week, when the No. 8 Tigers host NC State, Clemson will have a chance to reach 10 wins in the regular season for the first time since the 1981 season. In each of Clemson’s last five 10-win seasons the 10th win came in a bowl game or the ACC Championship game.

“I’ve told my players, now is the time when top 10 teams separate themselves from the pack,” Swinney said. “The end of November is when it matters. We need to play our best football down the stretch.”

Making their presence known. Clemson’s senior class has 34 wins (34-17), the most for a four-year class since 1992.

Fast starts. Clemson scored 35 points in the first half for a third straight game. That is a first in school history.

Fast touchdowns. When Clemson scored 12 seconds apart in the first quarter, it was the fewest seconds between touchdowns in school history. The previous record was 14 seconds against Duke in 2003, both on touchdowns by Derrick Hamilton.

Tough defense. Clemson’s defense held Maryland to 180 yards of total offense. That is the fewest yards allowed by Clemson since October 31, 2009 when the Tigers held Coastal Carolina to 170 yards. It is also the fewest yards by an ACC team since 2009, when Clemson held Wake Forest to 178 yards of total offense.

Third down defense. Clemson held Maryland to 1-13 on third-down conversions. That is the fewest third-down conversions for an opponent since September 19, 2009 when Clemson held Boston College to 1-12 on third-down conversions.

Moving on up. DeAndre Hopkins moved into second place in Clemson history in career reception yards with 2,711. He needs to just 22 receiving yards to pass Aaron Kelly and become Clemson’s career leader in receiving yards. He moved ahead of his uncle (Terry Smith). Smith finished his career in 1993 with 2,681.

Jerry Rice of Clemson football. Hopkins now has 14 touchdown receptions this year, already the season record. Only seven other players in Clemson history have had as many as 14 touchdown receptions in a career.

Nothing to worry about. Sammy Watkins had four catches for 60 yards, all in the first half. He did not play in the second half after suffering a bruised calf muscle in the first half. Coach Swinney said after the game, he could have played in the second half. He and Andre Ellington were both held out as a precaution.