Clemson Triumphs Over SMU in Thrilling 2024 ACC Championship Game
Final Score: Clemson 34, SMU 31
The Game:
In a dramatic finish at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC, the No. 18 Clemson Tigers clinched the ACC Championship with a 34-31 victory over the No. 8 SMU Mustangs. The game, which had College Football Playoff implications, came down to the wire, with Clemson freshman kicker Nolan Hauser nailing a record-setting 56-yard field goal as time expired to secure the win.
Key Statistics:
- Cade Klubnik (Clemson QB): 24/41 passing, 262 yards, 4 TDs, 0 INTs
- Bryant Wesco (Clemson WR): 8 receptions, 142 yards, 2 TDs
- Kevin Jennings (SMU QB): 310 passing yards, 3 TDs, 1 rushing TD
- Brashard Smith (SMU RB): Ran for 1,157 yards and 14 TDs this season, though specific game stats weren’t highlighted.
- Total Points: The game went over the predicted total of 55.5, with 65 points scored combined.
Storylines:
- Comeback and Collapse: Clemson led 24-7 at halftime but saw SMU rally back, tying the game with 16 seconds left. However, a crucial kickoff return by Adam Randall set up Hauser’s game-winning kick.
- Underdog to Champion: Clemson entered as a slight underdog but managed to secure the title, highlighting their resilience despite a challenging season, including losses to Georgia and South Carolina.
- SMU’s Historic Run: SMU, in their first year in the ACC, had an undefeated conference record, but their playoff hopes hinge now on the selection committee’s kindness.
Quotes from the Game:
- Dabo Swinney (Clemson Head Coach): “What a way to win… To head to the playoffs for the seventh time, man, the heart of our guys. We have been so close but we found a way.”
- Cade Klubnik: “:16 seconds left, probably not ideal, but Adam Randall took it out there baby & got us to like the 40, we knew we just needed a little bit, cause Hauser’s got the leg.”
- Rhett Lashlee (SMU Head Coach): After the game, Lashlee made a case for his team’s inclusion in the College Football Playoff despite the loss, emphasizing their season’s performance.
College Football Playoff Implications:
- Clemson: The Tigers are now virtually locked into the 12-team playoff with a strong case for a first-round bye, given their championship win.
- SMU: The Mustangs’ playoff hopes are now in jeopardy, with Alabama potentially leapfrogging them if the committee opts for a different narrative.
Clemson’s ACC Championship History:
- Clemson has a storied history in the ACC Championship game, making their 10th appearance this year and improving their record to 9-1 in these contests. Their only loss was in 2009. This victory adds to their eight titles since 2011, showcasing a dominant run under Coach Dabo Swinney.
Looking Forward:
This win not only secures Clemson’s spot in the playoffs but also sets up an intriguing narrative for the postseason. Clemson’s ability to perform under pressure, with a freshman kicker sealing the deal, might be the stuff of legend. Meanwhile, SMU’s journey, though ended in defeat, marks a commendable transition into a new conference with high expectations for the future.
In the grand tapestry of college football, where every game can alter the course of history, this ACC Championship game will be remembered for its dramatic conclusion and the implications it carries into the College Football Playoff era.
