No. 1 Clemson beats UNC 45-37 for ACC title, playoff spot

North Carolina attempted another onside kick and this time Clemson recovered and ran out the clock.

Clemson improved to 13-0 with the win, and removed any doubt about whether it would be in the playoff.

During his news conference Friday, Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said that Maverick Morris, who started Clemson’s previous three games at right guard, would remain the starter at the position this week.

“We’re not very happy with the way the play was ruled”, said receiver Ryan Switzer, who had two touchdown catches.

The CFP pairings are scheduled to be announced at noon Sunday on ESPN.

“That’s what happens when Clemson clinches early”, Swinney said.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Deshaun Watson did everything in his power to ensure Clemson’s flawless season continued. Gallman’s 187 yards was a season high. He rushed 24 times for 131 yards. Clemson scored on three straight possessions.

Marquise Williams threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns, and ran for 81 yards and a touchdown for the No. 10 Tar Heels (11-2), who were trying to win their first ACC title in 35 years. Clemson’s defense intercepted him once and sack him twice.

Saturday’s clash between the Tar Heels and Tigers was just the third time in series history the teams have met with both ranked in the Top 25. The first interception was the first turnover of the game for either team on Carolina’s opening drive of the second half, allowing Clemson the momentum and the ball at the UNC 3.

However, Watson put the Tigers back in front with two seconds left in the first half on a 1-yard jump pass to tight end Jordan Leggett for a 21-16 halftime lead. He did this on a 4th-and-15 play and only gained four yards. The Tigers responded two plays later with Watson’s 35-yard touchdown strike and a 35-16 lead. The Spartanburg native owns the single-season school record for tackles (178 in 1996) and second all-time in career tackles (486).

Two chances to expand the lead were frittered with the second giving UNC an opportunity to reclaim the lead. That was the first time Clemson had trailed in four games. Clemson’s captains were QB Deshaun Watson, OG Eric Mac Lain, DT Carlos Watkins and DE Kevin Dodd. When the Tar Heels defense blocked his lane, Teasdall tried to run but was smothered at the Clemson 31. Green was called for targeting on a helmet-to-helmet hit against Switzer on a second-quarter punt return. “They played one heck of a game tonight, and it was fun to go against good competition”. In the drive Watson completed passes to Leggett, Ray Ray McCloud, Hunter Renfrow and Gallman.

Clemson had 608 yards of total offense. That led to a field goal and 45-30 lead.

The ending was not without drama.

The Tar Heels appeared to recover the onside kick, but were called for being offside — although replays didnt show any player in a blue jersey being offside — and had to kick again.

The Tar Heels needed only one play after a Clemson punt, with Williams’ toss to running back T.J. Logan resulting in a 46-yard touchdown play. The game marked the 100th for Dabo Swinney as Clemson’s coach. Larry Fedora began his college coaching career as an offensive assistant at Baylor under Chuck Reedy, a member of the Clemson staff through 1978-1989.

On the game’s first drive the Tigers ran the ball at will against the UNC defense, but a key stop on 3rd-and-8 led to a 47-yard field goal by kicker Greg Huegel that came up just short.

Watson was named the game’s MVP. That’s the way it looked anyway during a 97-yard scoring drive when Clemson restored some order in the third quarter.

Watson immediately responded with a 43-yard bomb to receiver Artavis Scott that put the Tigers in the red zone. Clemson is 51-2 the last five years when accumulating more offense than its opponent.

Williams said he was proud of how his team played.

Watson for Heisman: Watson certainly secured an invitation to Heisman Trophy ceremonies next week with a record-setting performance.

Here are five observations from Saturday’s ACC championship game.

Under siege: UNC quarterback Williams rarely passed without a Clemson hand in his face or arms around his waist. It could become a problem for the first half of the playoffs.