Charlotte, N.C. — Last Saturday, Cade Klubnik sat in his car for over an hour, tears streaming down his face. Clemson had just lost to South Carolina, seemingly crushing their College Football Playoff dreams. But what felt like the end quickly turned into a new beginning.
Later that night, Klubnik found himself hugging his roommates in celebration. Syracuse’s upset win over Miami knocked the Hurricanes out of the ACC Championship race, opening the door for Clemson to get another shot.
The Tigers didn’t waste the opportunity.
Klubnik threw for 262 yards and four touchdowns, and Nolan Hauser nailed a dramatic 56-yard field goal as time expired, lifting No. 18 Clemson to a thrilling 34-31 victory over No. 8 SMU in the ACC Championship on Saturday night. The win not only secured Clemson a spot in the CFP but also positioned the Tigers for a potential first-round bye.
“It’s like when you’re told to come inside while playing with your friends, but then your mom gives you five more minutes,” Klubnik said. “We got those five extra minutes tonight — and we made the most of them.”
Bryant Wesco dominated the first quarter with eight catches for 143 yards and two touchdowns, while Jake Briningstool added two short scoring receptions. Clemson (10-3, No. 17 CFP) improved to 9-1 in ACC title games under head coach Dabo Swinney, securing its eighth championship in the last decade.
“What a way to win,” Swinney said. “To head into the playoffs for the seventh time — it speaks to the heart of this team. We’ve been so close, but tonight we found a way.”
SMU’s Resilient Fight
Kevin Jennings shone for SMU (11-2, No. 8 CFP), throwing for 310 yards and three touchdowns while adding a rushing score. The Mustangs, in their inaugural season in the ACC after moving from the American Athletic Conference, rallied from a 17-point deficit but fell just short.
A mistake-filled first half put SMU in a deep hole. Yet, Swinney praised their resilience.
“SMU deserves to be in the playoffs,” Swinney said. “What a comeback by those guys.”
Clemson’s Fast Start
Clemson set the tone early with T.J. Parker’s sack-fumble on SMU’s opening drive. Klubnik capitalized, throwing three touchdown passes in the first quarter, including 45- and 35-yard strikes to Wesco. By the end of the first quarter, the Tigers led 21-7.
Even when misfortune struck, Clemson found ways to recover. In one pivotal play, Klubnik fumbled after being hit from behind, but Briningstool alertly dove on the loose ball to secure a crucial first down. The Tigers added a late field goal to head into halftime up 24-7, SMU’s largest deficit of the season.
SMU’s Comeback Falls Short
SMU clawed back in the second half. Jennings connected with Matthew Hibner for a 20-yard touchdown and Collin Rogers nailed a 46-yard field goal, cutting Clemson’s lead to 31-24. A stout defensive stand gave SMU the ball back with four minutes to play, and Jennings orchestrated a 79-yard drive capped by a 4-yard touchdown pass to Roderick Daniels, tying the game with 16 seconds remaining.
“He looked like a playoff quarterback to me,” SMU coach Rhett Lashlee said of Jennings. “Hopefully, America gets to see him in the postseason.”
Hauser’s Heroics
With overtime looming, Adam Randall’s 41-yard kickoff return gave Clemson a glimmer of hope. Klubnik hit Antonio Williams for a 17-yard gain to the SMU 38, setting up Hauser’s game-winning 56-yard field goal — the longest in ACC Championship history.
“It was surreal,” Hauser said. “The moment felt like a dream.”
For Clemson, what began as heartbreak transformed into triumph, securing yet another chapter in their storied legacy.
