Clemson vs. SMU: Box score, stats, game summary and more ft. Cade Klubnik
Clemson used a 56-yard field goal from Nolan Hauser to win 34-31 and crash the College Football Playoff party while SMU seems to stay on the bubble as the two teams battled for the ACC championship. This is SMU's first year in the ACC, while Clemson won its ninth ACC title since the league began playing a championship game in 2005.
Clemson (10-3) snuck into the ACC title game because of a pair of late Miami losses. The Tigers lost the first and last games of the regular season against Georgia and South Carolina, but in between went 7-1 in ACC play, losing only to Louisville. Junior QB Cade Klubnik had passed for 3,041 yards and 29 touchdowns this year against just five interceptions coming into the game. Still, the Tigers had to win the ACC title to make the College Football Playoff.
SMU (11-2) ran the table in ACC play, losing only to BYU in Week 3. Even with the loss, the Mustangs have a solid case for the CFP. But winning the game would have removed all doubt.
Clemson vs. SMU Box Score
Clemson Passing Stats
Clemson Rushing and Receiving Stats
Clemson Kicking Stats
SMU Passing Stats
SMU Rushing and Receiving Stats
SMU Kicking Stats
Clemson promptly opened the game by turning a fumble and a three and out into a 14-0 advantage thanks to a pair of quick TD passes by Klubnik. SMU then responded with a 75-yard scoring march completed with a 24-yard run by Kevin Jennings. But Clemson then immediately matched the effort with a second TD pass to Bryant Wesco Jr. from Klubnik.
Clemson took a 24-7 lead to the half, but SMU began answering with a 10-yard scoring pass from Jennings to Brashard Smith. After another Klubnik TD pass, Jennings opened the 4th quarter with another scoring strike to pull within 31-21.
SMU inched closer on a 46-yard field goal from Collin Rogers with 6:56 to play, pulling the Mustangs to 31-24. After a single Clemson first down, the SMU defense forced a punt with just over four minutes to play. SMU marched down the field and tied the game with 16 seconds remaining on a four-yard strike from Jennings to Roderick Daniels Jr and the ensuing extra point.
But Clemson returned the kickoff to their own 45 yard line, allowing time for a quick pass from Klubnik to Antonio Williams to the 38 yard line and then the winning kick from Hauser.
Clemson clinched a spot in the College Football Playoff, a drastic turnaround from a 34-3 loss to open the season. SMU is now stuck waiting and hoping as to its postseason future.
- Clemson: 35-yard TD pass to Bryant Wesco Jr. from Cade Klubnik (Hauser XPT), 7-0, 13:35 remaining in 1st quarter
- Clemson: 5-yard TD pass to Jake Brinningstool from Cade Klubnik (Hauser XPT), 14-0, 10:47 remaining in 1st quarter
- SMU: 24-yard TD run by Kevin Jennings (Rogers XPT), 14-7, 7:05 remaining in 1st quarter
- Clemson: 43-yard TD pass to Bryant Wesco Jr. from Cade Klubnik (Hauser XPT), 21-7, 3:28 remaining in 1st quarter
- Clemson: 44-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser, 24-7, 5:22 remaining in 2nd quarter
- SMU: 10-yard TD pass to Brashard Smith from Kevin Jennings (Rogers XPT), 24-14, 11:04 remaining in 3rd quarter
- Clemson: 5-yard TD pass to Jake Briningstool from Cade Klubnik (Hauser XPT), 31-14, 0:23 remaining in 3rd quarter
- SMU: 20-yard TD pass to Matthew Hibner from Kevin Jennings (Rogers XPT), 31-21, 13:22 remaining in 4th quarter
- SMU: 46-yard field goal by Collin Rogers, 31-24, 6:56 remaining in 4th quarter
- SMU: 4-yard TD pass to Roderick Daniels, Jr. from Kevin Jennings (Rogers XPT) 31-31, 0:16 remaining in 4th quarter
- Clemson: 56-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser, 34-31, 0:00 remaining in 4th quarter