Coaches have continually praised junior running back Eduardo Clements, who often is used in third-down situations and for short-yardage plays.

Clements, 5-9 and 192 pounds, is listed on the depth chart as the backup to starter Mike James, along with freshman Randy “Duke” Johnson. On Saturday at Boston College, Clements rushed three times for four yards with a touchdown. He also caught a 6-yard pass.

Coach Al Golden called Clements the “heart and soul” of the Canes.

“His biggest thing right now is just being consistent, just be yourself,” Golden said. “I keep telling all those guys: ‘Don’t try and be the other guy. Everybody is different and special in their own way.’

“He’s invaluable to this team. He’s got big roles in every single one of these games.”

Offensive coordinator Jedd Fisch pointed out after the victory at BC that “sometimes yards get skewed.

“Eduardo Clements goes in and he converts two third-and-1s and a goal-line touchdown, and he’s averaging one yard a carry, right? But the fact of the matter is those were three huge carries.”

Said Clements: “It’s a big role for me. Third downs can win or lose games. Coach Fisch told me I would be the first guy to get into the end zone. It felt great.”