Excitement in Charlotte: Clemson Tops SMU in a Thrilling ACC Championship Finish
Charlotte, NC – What a game! The Clemson Tigers pulled off a sensational last-minute victory against the SMU Mustangs in the ACC Championship game. Nolan Hauser’s breathtaking 56-yard field goal as time ran out not only clinched a dramatic 34-31 win but also secured Clemson a spot in the College Football Playoff as a conference champ. Talk about leaving it all on the field!
The game was a nail-biter from beginning to end, with both teams trading blows and showcasing their skills. Just 16 seconds left on the clock, and SMU tied the game at 31 when Kevin Jennings connected with Roderick Daniels Jr. for a 4-yard touchdown. What a catch it was! A quick review confirmed Daniels dragged his right foot in bounds, and the Mustangs were right back in it. All of SMU’s fans went wild, cheering for their Cardiac Mustangs. You could feel the energy in the air! #PonyUpDallas
After that touchdown, Clemson was given just enough time to respond following a solid 41-yard kick return by Austin Randall. Quarterback Cade Klubnik didn’t waste the opportunity and connected with Antonio Williams for a 17-yard gain, bringing the Tigers within range for the field goal attempt. Klubnik, who shone throughout the game, ended up completing 24 of 41 passes for 262 yards and four touchdowns.
A Tale of Two Halves
The first half saw Clemson jump out to an early lead, scoring a quick 14 points thanks to a couple of SMU mistakes. Just moments into the game, a fumble by Jennings handed the Tigers the ball in excellent field position, leading to an easy touchdown. And after another fortunate series, a personal foul against SMU gifted Clemson even more opportunity, allowing Klubnik to find Jake Briningstool for a short touchdown.
Despite starting slow, SMU did respond with impressive resilience. After a tough first half that ended with Clemson leading 24-7, SMU made adjustments coming out of halftime. Jennings was on fire, completing passes effortlessly, and soon enough the Mustangs cut the lead to just 10 points.
The Final Push
The game continued to go back and forth, as both teams scored again and again. A 5-yard TD catch from Briningstool pushed Clemson ahead, but SMU wasn’t done yet. Jennings kept pushing the envelope, ultimately leading another solid drive that ended with a 20-yard touchdown catch by Matthew Hibner.
The excitement reached its peak when SMU’s defense managed to force Clemson into a couple of three-and-outs. The Mustangs capitalized, executing a well-placed 46-yard field goal from Collin Rogers, pulling them closer and leaving fans on the edge of their seats.
What’s Next?
Now that Clemson has secured their spot in the playoffs, the bigger questions arise: Is a first-round bye in the cards for them? They sit at 10-3, lower in ranking than other conference champions, which makes it less likely. Speculation had been swirling that a win for SMU could potentially lead to a playoff spot, especially since they boasted a strong 12-1 record. But now with the outcome, they find themselves in a tricky position.
Clemson’s coach, Dabo Swinney, was quick to commend SMU’s performance after the game. He stated, “That’s a playoff football team,” indicating the respect he has for their effort despite the loss. It’s clear emotions are running high as both teams gear up for the upcoming College Football Playoff selection show.
SMU’s coach, Rhett Lashlee, made a strong case for his team saying they had just played a “playoff game out there,” and they deserve a chance to be included in the upcoming playoffs. With the stakes this high, it’s anyone’s game from here.
This championship filled with excitement and close calls proves once again why college football is thrilling to watch. Here’s hoping both Clemson and SMU will get their shot at the playoff glory!
