WEDNESDAY SPORTS: Clemson gets highest ranking since ’88; ACC honors for Tigers; Boyd leads Heisman talk

*Clemson is ranked fourth by The Associated Press and fifth in the USA Today Coaches poll this week. It is the highest ranking for the Clemson program by the Associated Press since September 12, 1988 when the Tigers were ranked third by AP. The Tigers also received a first-place vote this week by the Associated Press, the first time Clemson has had a first-place vote since the preseason poll of 1991. Meanwhile, Alabama is #1 in both polls, and South Carolina continues to be ranked high, at #6 in both polls, as they prepare to head to Sanford Stadium in Athens for their turn at the Georgia Bulldogs this Saturday.

*Clemson senior quarterback Tajh Boyd, who accounted for five touchdowns in leading the Tigers to a 38-35 win over Georgia in Saturday night’s nationally-televised college football season opener, has been named the Atlantic Coast Conference Offensive Back of the Week. Other Tigers on the list include Ryan Norton (Co-Offensive Lineman of the Week); Sammy Watkins (Receiver of the Week); and Spencer Shuey (Linebacker of the Week). 

*Clemson quarterback Tajh Boyd has moved to the top of a straw poll by HeismanPundit.com after his week one performance against Georgia. South Carolina defensive end Jadeveon Clowney finished tied eighth in the straw poll conducted by nine anonymous Heisman voters from around the country.

*In the majors on Tuesday, Kris Medlen pitched seven strong innings while Andrelton Simmons and Evan Gattis homered to help the Atlanta Braves win their second straight game with a 3-1 victory over the New York Mets. The series wraps up at 12:00 PM Wednesday.

*The Pittsburgh Pirates won’t have a losing season for the first time in two decades, after clinching a winning record with a 4-3 win over the Milwaukee Brewers Tuesday night. The victory was the 81st of the season, ensuring a non-losing record for the first time since 1992, when the team went 96-66.

*In the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons have signed offensive tackle Jeremy Trueblood, who started 84 games in seven seasons with Tampa Bay. He will line up behing second-year right tackle Lamar Holmes.

*Spain’s 18th-seeded Carla Suarez Navarro never even managed to get on the board in her quarterfinal match against Serena Williams at the U.S. Open Tuesday, with top-ranked Williams shutting her out 6-0, 6-0. Navarro managed just 18 points in the entire match.