(AP) -- CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - Andre Ellington had an 87-yard kickoff return score and added a rushing touchdown as Clemson broke a three-game losing streak and avoided its usual Maryland meltdown in a 31-7 victory Saturday.
The victory for the Tigers (3-3, 1-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) came when former Clemson star C.J. Spiller had his No. 28 retired. And Ellington did his best to emulate the excitement Spiller brought Death Valley the last four years.
Ellington broke through the Terps early in the second quarter for Clemson's first kickoff return score since Spiller had one against South Carolina last November. Ellington also had a 1-yard touchdown in the third quarter.
Maryland (4-2, 1-1) had won three of its past four against Clemson, but could do little against the Tigers defense. The Terps' only TD came on a halfback pass from Da'Rel Scott to quarterback Danny O'Brien.
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