Clemson football’s 34-31 victory over No. 8 SMU in the ACC Championship delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in program history.
Freshman kicker Nolan Hauser nailed a record-breaking 56-yard field goal as time expired, securing the Tigers’ College Football Playoff berth. The kick came after SMU tied the game with just 16 seconds left, but Adam Randall’s electrifying 45-yard kickoff return and Cade Klubnik’s sharp 17-yard pass to Antonio Williams set the stage. Klubnik was pivotal, throwing for 262 yards and four touchdowns, while Bryant Wesco shined with 134 receiving yards and two scores.
Despite a strong comeback from SMU’s Kevin Jennings, Clemson maintained its poise and proved to everyone they belong in the first 12-team College Football Playoff. Here are five takeaways from Clemson’s massive ACC Championship win.
There’s not denying freshman kicker Nolan Hauser etched his name in as a legend of the program with that 56-yard game winner. The magnitude of that kick is wildly significant, even if Clemson were to lose in the first round of the College Football Playoff. A win like this can get a program back on track, as it allows Swinney and the Tigers to make a run and reap the benefits of what comes from it.
Beyond what it does for Clemson, this could do wonders for Hauser’s career. The clutch shown hitting this kick was ridiculous and it could be the spark plug behind a fantastic run with the Tigers. What a kick and what a moment for Hauser.
In a night of unlikely heroes, wide receiver Adam Randall is arguably the biggest. When the Tigers had lost all momentum, with just 16 seconds left to play tied at 31, Randall took a kick return 45 yards helping set up Hauser’s game winning field goal. Randall was only back there for the return due to the injury suffered by Clemson running back Jay Haynes, and he took advantage of the opportunity. Randall deserves a lot of credit for helping save Clemson’s season.
Over the past few seasons, a common trend has been Clemson failing to play a complete game, great football from start to finish. That did not change in this ACC Championship, as the Tigers nearly threw away another College Football Playoff appearance. After getting off to a red hot start as the Tigers led 21-7 at the end of the first quarter and 24-7 at the end of the half, Clemson nearly handed the Mustangs the game in the second half.
It looks like this team plays to hold a lead rather than to win, and it has continuously caused the tam issues. Both coordinators made a serious lack of adjustments in the second half, with Garrett Riley’s play calling in particular being a head-scratcher. Clemson can’t afford to do this in the playoffs.
If Clemson wants to have any chance of making a run in the College Football Playoff, they’ll need the old Phil Mafah back. Over the past few weeks, Mafah has looked like a shell of his former self, which has caused the Tigers’ offense serious issues. Being banged up has completely derailed Mafah’s impact, with the running back totaling 28 yards on 13 carries in the ACC Championship win.
With freshman Jay Haynes now out for the rest of the season, the Tigers need Mafah to get healthy over their time off before the first round of the playoff. Clemson is more likely to not earn the bye, meaning less time for the star running back to recover. This offense needs their workhorse back.
Another year of Clemson’s freshman class having a tremendous impact, but on a much larger scale this time. Let’s start with linebacker Sammy Brown, who might have been the Tigers best defender on Saturday if T.J. Parker wasn’t unreal. Brown recorded 14 total tackles with 8 being solo tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and a pass breakup. This guy is all over the field.
On offense, Bryant Wesco Jr. came up huge for the Tigers. Wesco recorded 8 catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns in a game that could definitely be considered a breakout performance. This dude’s future is very bright, as is fellow freshman wide receiver’s T.J. Moore, who added 3 catches for 32 yards.
