Part 5/7:
ACC Championship: Clemson Survives a Late SMU Surge
In the ACC Championship, Clemson faced off against first-year ACC champions SMU in a heart-stopping finale. The Tigers took an early lead, capitalizing on an SMU turnover and extending their lead to 24-7 at halftime, displaying the offensive prowess of quarterback Cade Klubnik.
However, SMU refused to back down, mounting a comeback that brought the game to a tense conclusion. With mere seconds left, Clemson’s Adam Randall returned a kickoff that set the stage for a game-winning field goal, sealing an ACC title win for the Tigers. Coach Dabo Swinney expressed pride in his team’s perseverance and hinted at a promising playoff journey ahead.