Refs’ blown call costs Tar Heels shot at ACC title

Deshaun Watson’s 420 total yards and 5 TD’s lift Clemson to win over the Tar Heels Saturday in Charlotte.

North Carolina scored with 1:13 left on Williams pass to wide receiver Ryan Switzer on a 17-yard play. The Tar Heels tried again for an onside kick, but the ball was recovered by Clemson.

Fedora, who was 32-18 at UNC entering the Clemson game, has guided the Tar Heels during a bumpy few years due to a long run of NCAA turmoil.

After a three-and-out, Alabama then marched 10 plays in 81 yards, this time eating almost five minutes, finished off by a 32-yard touchdown pass from Jake Coker to ArDarius Stewart, which pushed the lead to 22-7.

“I had a chance to see (the replay), and (the officials) were wrong”, Fedora said. Callaway’s 46-yard first quarter reception threatened to give Florida the lead, and his 85-yard second quarter punt return score did just that. He threw for three touchdowns, but also threw a crucial interception with his team threatening to re-take the lead in the third quarter.

In a season filled with mind-numbing conference officiating moments, it’s only appropriate the ACC Championship game ended with an egregiously bad call. Gallman scored on a 3-yard touchdown run and Watson connected with Scott on a 35-yard scoring strike in the end zone to build a 35-16 lead. “The rule as it relates to an onside kick is that the 35-yard line is treated as a plane, and if any plyer breaks the plane, it’s offsides”.

Clemson’s defensive front seemed to be in complete control throughout the game, giving Williams little time to operate in the pocket. But he returned to the game after sitting out one play.

Clemson’s lead might have been bigger had it not been for a curious decision by Tigers punter Andy Teasdall, who chose to take matters into his own hand and take off running on fourth-and-15 at his own 30. The coach wants his player to be rewarded with the ultimate award next week, and on the field after the game, Swinney had Watson do the Heisman pose with the trophy ball.

382: After averaging 495.7 yards per game through their first 12 games, the Tar Heels managed just 382 on Saturday night against Clemson’s defense. The Tigers had a rogue fake punt earlier in the first half that led to points on the next North Carolina drive. He had topped 100 yards rushing with 11:30 to go in the third quarter. Or the fact that Clemson had several bogus personal foul calls. However, UNC was flagged for being offside on the play – it was a controversial call. He caught a 16-yard pass from Watson in the first quarter for Clemson’s first score. The late hit, along with a facemask penalty kept the first Tar Heels drive alive, allowing the Heels to take a 3-0 lead.

Safety T.J. Green was then ejected from the game after a targeting ruling on the next possession during a punt. After getting into UNC territory, Lawson sacked Williams and forced a fumble that was recovered by Clemson’s Austin Bryant.

In the final two minutes, at least, UNC still had hope of victory – of one more improbable comeback.