No. 18 Clemson throws last-second FG to beat No. 8 SMU 34-31 for ACC title, berth in CFP

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina — Cade Klubnik threw for 262 yards and four touchdowns, Nolan Hauser kicked a 56-yard field goal As time expired, No. 18 Clemson defeated No. 8 SMU 34-31 Saturday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship to earn a spot in the College Football Playoff and position itself for a first-round bye.

Hauser’s field goal was the longest in ACC championship game history.

Bryant Wesco had eight catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns in the first quarter for the Tigers (10-3, No. 17 CFP), who needed a win to advance to the expanded 12-team playoffs. Jake Briningstool added two short TD receptions as Clemson improved to 9-1 in ACC championship games under coach Dabo Swinney.

“What a way to win,” Swinney said. “… Leading the playoffs for the seventh time, man, the hearts of our guys. We were so close but we found a way.

Kevin Jennings threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns and scored one score for SMU (11-1, No. 8 CFP), which went 8-0 in the regular season in its first year since in the ACC after leaving American Athletic. Conference.

The mistake-filled loss cost the Mustangs a chance at a first-round bye in the CFP and could potentially keep them out of the field altogether.

Swinney pushed the Mustangs in after fighting back from 17 points behind to tie the game.

“Listen. They’re a playoff football team. SMU, they better be in the playoffs,” Swinney said. “What a comeback from these guys.”

Clemson rusher TJ Parker set the tone on the game’s first series with a sack fumble and Klubnik threw three touchdown passes in the first quarter as the Tigers, a 2 1/2-point underdog, took took a 21-7 lead. Klubnik finished the first quarter 8 of 10 for 120 yards with three touchdowns, including scoring throws of 45 and 35 yards at Wesco.

Everything seemed to be going Clemson’s way in the first half.

As Klubnik attempted to escape pressure on a play in the second quarter, he was hit from behind and fumbled the ball forward about 10 yards, where tight end Briningstool dove alertly between two defenders to recover the ball near midfield and give the Tigers a first down. .

Clemson scored a field goal late in the second quarter and SMU went into locker room 24-7, its largest deficit this season.

“We did some unusual things in the first quarter that put us in a hole and it was tough, but we got out of it,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said.

SMU cut the lead to 31-24 with seven minutes remaining after Matthew Hibner ran in a 20-yard touchdown run from Jennings and Collin Rogers connected on a 46-yard field goal.

The Mustangs defense forced a third straight punt on the securing possession, giving Jennings and the offense the ball on their own 21 with four minutes left. Jennings led the Mustangs 79 yards in 16 plays, finding Roderick Daniels with a 4-yard touchdown pass with 16 seconds left to tie the game.

“To me, he looked like a playoff quarterback,” Lashlee said. “I hope America gets to see it in the playoffs.”

The game appeared to be headed to overtime, but Adam Randall’s 41-yard kickoff return gave Clemson the ball on its own 45. Klubnik found Antonio Williams for a 17-yard gain to the SMU 38 with three ticks to play, setting up Hauser’s winning kick. .

“We just didn’t cover the kick well,” Lashlee said. “Give Clemson credit, they played well early and they finished on the last play.”

Swinney said he wasn’t sure Hauser had the leg to make the final kick, but the Charlotte native responded.

“He’ll go down in Clemson history with that one,” Swinney said.

Clemson: The Tigers won the game up front in the trenches, dominating the line of scrimmage and keeping pressure on Jennings throughout the game. There was rarely a passing play when SMU’s quarterback wasn’t coming out of the pocket and trying to avoid being sacked.

SMU: Maybe it was the nerves of being on the big stage in the ACC title game, but the Mustangs struggled with mistakes in the first quarter, including several missed passes, penalties and two turnovers. SMU’s defensive backs struggled to keep up with the speed of Clemson’s receivers.

Clemson will see if it gets a first-round bye, while SMU awaits its playoff fate.

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