CHARLOTTE — Nolan Hauser kicked a 56-yard field goal as time expired, Cade Klubnik threw four touchdown passes and No. 17 Clemson pulled out a 34-31 victory against No. 8 SMU on Saturday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game.
The game appeared destined for overtime after Kevin Jennings capped a 16-play, 79-yard drive with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Roderick Daniels Jr. with 16 seconds left in the fourth quarter to pull the Mustangs (11-2) even at 31.
However, Adam Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards before Klubnik completed a pass for a gain of 17. Hauser then came out and booted the longest field goal in ACC title game history.
Hauser’s kick spoiled a wild comeback by SMU, which trailed 31-14 with 23 seconds to go in the third quarter following a 5-yard scoring connection between Klubnik and Jake Briningstool.
Before tying the game at 31-all, the Mustangs saw their deficit shrink thanks to Jennings’ 20-yard TD pass to Matthew Hibner and a 46-yard field goal from Collin Rogers.
Briningstool and Bryant Wesco Jr. each hauled in two touchdowns for Clemson (10-3). Wesco went off for eight receptions for 143 yards. Klubnik finished 24-for-41 passing for 262 yards.
Jennings threw for three touchdowns, an interception and 304 yards on 31-for-50 passing. Brashard Smith rushed for 113 yards on 24 carries, and Daniels finished with eight catches for 97 yards and the score.
SMU pulled within 24-14 with 11:04 left in the third quarter on a 10-yard TD pass from Jennings to Smith before the Tigers built their 31-14 lead.
It was all Clemson in the first half, as the Tigers took a 24-7 cushion into the break.
After Jennings lost a fumble on the game’s first drive, Klubnik opened the scoring with a 35-yard scoring strike to Wesco.
Briningstool made it 14-0 with 10:47 to play in the first quarter, grabbing a 5-yard TD.
SMU countered with a 75-yard drive, which ended when Jennings ran into the end zone from 24 yards out. But Clemson went the same distance on its ensuing possession, with Wesco scoring on a 43-yard reception.
The Tigers’ lead grew to 24-7 by halftime on Hauser’s 44-yard field goal with 5:22 left in the second quarter.
–Bob Sutton, Field Level Media
