Clemson Stuns SMU with Walk-Off 56-Yard Field Goal to Claim ACC Title
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — In a game that will be talked about for years, the No. 17 Clemson Tigers pulled off a dramatic 34-31 victory over No. 8 SMU in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship on Saturday night. The hero of the night? None other than Nolan Hauser, who nailed a jaw-dropping 56-yard field goal as time expired to send Clemson into the College Football Playoff and secure a potential first-round bye. The kick wasn’t just clutch—it was historic, marking the longest field goal in ACC championship game history.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik was electric, throwing for 262 yards and four touchdowns, while wide receiver Bryant Wesco lit up the first quarter with eight catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Clemson, now 10-3, needed this win to punch their ticket to the expanded 12-team playoffs, and they delivered in spectacular fashion. Under head coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers improved to an impressive 9-1 in ACC championship games.
On the other side, SMU’s Kevin Jennings put up a valiant effort, throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns while also running for a score. The Mustangs, who entered the game 11-1 after an undefeated 8-0 regular season in their first year in the ACC, saw their hopes for a first-round CFP bye dashed. The loss, riddled with mistakes, could even jeopardize their spot in the playoff field altogether.
How It All Went Down
The game started with a bang for Clemson, thanks to edge rusher T.J. Parker, who set the tone with a sack-fumble on SMU’s opening drive. Klubnik capitalized on the momentum, throwing three touchdown passes in the first quarter alone, including a 45-yard bomb and a 35-yard strike to Wesco. By the end of the first quarter, Clemson had raced to a 21-7 lead, with Klubnik completing 8-of-10 passes for 120 yards and three scores.
Even when things got dicey, Clemson found ways to keep the ball rolling. In one bizarre second-quarter play, Klubnik fumbled while trying to escape pressure, but tight end Jake Briningstool dove between two defenders to recover the ball near midfield, keeping the drive alive. Clemson tacked on a field goal before halftime, heading into the locker room with a commanding 24-7 lead—the largest deficit SMU had faced all season.
SMU’s Comeback Falls Just Short
But SMU wasn’t going down without a fight. The Mustangs clawed their way back into the game, cutting the lead to 31-24 with seven minutes left after a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jennings to Matthew Hibner and a 46-yard field goal by Collin Rogers. Their defense stepped up, forcing three straight Clemson punts and giving Jennings one last chance to tie the game.
Jennings delivered, orchestrating a 79-yard drive in 16 plays that culminated in a 4-yard touchdown pass to Roderick Daniels with just 16 seconds left. The game seemed destined for overtime, but Clemson had other plans.
The Final Moments
With the clock ticking down, Adam Randall’s 41-yard kickoff return gave Clemson excellent field position at their own 45-yard line. Klubnik then connected with Antonio Williams for a 17-yard gain, setting the stage for Hauser’s heroics. The 56-yard field goal sailed through the uprights as time expired, sending Clemson fans into a frenzy and breaking SMU’s hearts.
Key Takeaways
- Clemson: The Tigers dominated the trenches, keeping constant pressure on Jennings and controlling the line of scrimmage. Their defensive front was relentless, forcing SMU’s quarterback to scramble on nearly every pass play.
- SMU: The Mustangs struggled with nerves early on, committing costly mistakes like dropped passes, penalties, and turnovers. Their defensive backs also had trouble keeping up with Clemson’s speedy receivers, particularly in the first quarter.
What’s Next?
Clemson will now wait to see if their ACC title win earns them a first-round bye in the College Football Playoff. Meanwhile, SMU faces an anxious wait to find out if they’ll make the playoff field at all after this heartbreaking loss.
Originally Written by: Associated Press
