Cade Klubnik passed for 262 yards and four touchdowns, while Nolan Hauser nailed a 56-yard field goal as time expired, leading No. 18 Clemson to a 34-31 victory over No. 8 SMU in the ACC Championship on Saturday night. The win earned the Tigers a spot in the College Football Playoff and positioned them for a potential first-round bye.
Hauser’s kick set a record for the longest field goal in ACC championship history.
Freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco caught eight passes for a game-high 143 yards and two touchdowns, while Jake Briningstool added two short TD grabs for Clemson (10-3, No. 17 CFP). The Tigers, who needed the win to secure a spot in the 12-team playoff field, improved to 9-1 in ACC title games under head coach Dabo Swinney.
Kevin Jennings threw for 310 yards and three touchdowns and ran for another score for SMU (11-1, No. 8 CFP), which had an undefeated regular season in its first year in the ACC after joining from the American Athletic Conference.
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The loss dealt a blow to SMU’s hopes for a first-round playoff bye and could jeopardize its place in the playoff field entirely.
Clemson’s defense made an early impact as T.J. Parker forced a sack-fumble on SMU’s opening drive. Klubnik quickly capitalized, throwing three first-quarter touchdown passes, including 45- and 35-yard connections to Wesco, helping Clemson jump to a 21-7 lead. Klubnik finished the opening quarter 8-of-10 passing for 120 yards and three touchdowns.
Clemson continued to control the game early, including a key play in the second quarter when Klubnik fumbled under pressure. However, tight end Briningstool dove to recover the ball for a first down at midfield. The Tigers added a field goal late in the half, sending SMU to the locker room trailing 24-7—its largest deficit of the season.
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The Mustangs rallied in the second half, cutting the lead to 31-24 with seven minutes remaining after a 20-yard touchdown catch by Matthew Hibner and a 46-yard field goal from Collin Rogers.
SMU’s defense then forced a third consecutive Clemson punt, and Jennings took over from the 21-yard line with just over four minutes to play. He orchestrated a 16-play, 79-yard drive, capping it with a 4-yard touchdown pass to Roderick Daniels with 16 seconds remaining, tying the game at 31.
With overtime looming, Clemson responded. Adam Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards, giving the Tigers excellent field position at their own 45. Klubnik then connected with Antonio Williams for a 17-yard gain to the SMU 38, setting up Hauser’s game-winning kick as time expired.
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