Eighth-ranked Clemson raced to an early 17-point lead Saturday, then held its breath as quarterback Tajh Boyd was carted off the field in the third quarter of a 36-14 home victory over Boston College.

Boyd, who has fueled the Tigers’ rise into the Top 10, left the game with an upper left leg injury. Clemson (6-0, 3-0 ACC) led 23-7 at the time, in a game in which the Eagles (1-5, 0-3 ACC) never challenged.

There was no immediate word on the severity of the injury to one of the breakout stars of this season. Boyd has passed for 1,741 yards and 15 touchdowns with just two interceptions in six games.

The Tigers led 10-0 after 10 minutes on Boyd’s 3-yard touchdown pass to Jaron Brown and a Chandler Catanzaro 38-yard field goal. Malliciah Goodman sacked Boston College quarterback Chase Rettig, forcing a fumble Tyler Shatley recovered at the Eagles 16.

Two plays later, Boyd rushed for a 14-yard touchdown to give the Tigers a 17-point lead. Boyd completed 16-of-26 passes for 282 yards. Andre Ellington rushed for 118 yards on 21 carries, including a 35-yard touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Catanzaro kicked five field goals.

The Tigers play at Maryland next Saturday and at home against North Carolina on Oct. 22, before a potential showdown of undefeated teams against No. 13 Georgia Tech on Oct. 29 in Atlanta.

The road doesn’t get any easier for the Eagles. Boston College is off next week before traveling Oct. 22 to No. 17 Virginia Tech.