CHARLOTTE – In a thrilling conclusion to the 2024 ACC Football Championship, freshman kicker Nolan Hauser nailed a 56-yard field goal as time expired, lifting No. 17 Clemson to a 34-31 victory over No. 8 SMU at Bank of America Stadium. With the win, Clemson (10-3, 7-1 ACC) secured its eighth conference title in the last 10 years, making history as the first program to win 22 ACC Championships.
The game was a rollercoaster, as Clemson held a commanding 31-14 lead after three quarters, only for SMU to mount a furious comeback. The Mustangs scored 17 unanswered points, tying the game at 31-31 with just 16 seconds left. But Clemson responded quickly: Adam Randall returned the ensuing kickoff 41 yards, giving the Tigers excellent field position at their own 45-yard line. Quarterback Cade Klubnik then connected with Antonio Williams for a 17-yard gain, setting up Hauser’s dramatic kick to seal the win.
The 56-yard field goal, which sent Clemson to victory, was the longest game-winning field goal in ACC Championship history. According to ACC Network, it also marked the first time an FBS team has kicked a 50+ yard field goal as time expired to win a conference title. With the victory, Clemson’s postseason hopes are alive, as the team is expected to secure a spot in the 2024 College Football Playoff, with the official selection to be announced Sunday.
Klubnik, the game’s MVP, was instrumental in Clemson’s offensive attack. The junior quarterback from Austin, Texas, completed 24 of 41 passes for 262 yards and tied an ACC Championship Game record with four touchdown passes. This marks the second consecutive year Klubnik has earned MVP honors, joining Deshaun Watson and Tyrod Taylor as the only players to win the award twice.
The Tigers’ offense was also boosted by standout performances from freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. and junior tight end Jake Briningstool. Wesco, who hails from just 30 miles away from SMU’s campus, caught eight passes for 143 yards and two touchdowns. Briningstool also made a significant impact, hauling in four receptions for 23 yards and two touchdowns.
Hauser, the freshman placekicker from the Charlotte area, played a crucial role in the win, scoring 10 points. His contributions included the game-winning field goal, a 44-yard kick, and four successful extra points. With this performance, Hauser became the first freshman in Clemson history to record 100 points in a season.
On defense, Clemson forced two key turnovers in the first half. Sophomore defensive end T.J. Parker delivered a strip sack that set up the Tigers’ opening score, while sophomore safety Khalil Barnes intercepted an SMU pass to thwart another drive. Parker’s fumble recovery was his sixth of the season, setting a new Clemson single-season record for forced fumbles. Linebacker Sammy Brown led the defense with 14 tackles, including half a tackle for loss.
The game started with a bang, as Clemson’s defense made an early impact. On SMU’s third play of the game, Parker forced a fumble on an 11-yard sack, giving Clemson the ball in excellent field position. On the Tigers’ second offensive play, Klubnik connected with Wesco for a 35-yard touchdown, giving Clemson a 7-0 lead just over a minute into the contest.
Clemson extended its lead to 14-0 after a quick three-and-out by SMU and a 21-yard punt return by Antonio Williams. The Tigers capitalized on the short field with a five-yard touchdown pass from Klubnik to Briningstool.
SMU responded with a touchdown of its own, a 24-yard run by Kevin Jennings that capped a 10-play, 75-yard drive, cutting Clemson’s lead to 14-7. However, the Tigers answered with another quick strike, as Klubnik hit Wesco for a 45-yard touchdown, stretching the lead to 21-7.
Clemson’s defense came up big again later in the first quarter when Barnes intercepted a pass from Jennings, but the Tigers couldn’t capitalize. Hauser added a 44-yard field goal before halftime, sending Clemson into the locker room with a 24-7 advantage.
The second half saw SMU mount its comeback. After a touchdown pass from Jennings to Brashard Smith cut Clemson’s lead to 24-14, the Tigers answered with a 10-play, 58-yard drive capped by a five-yard touchdown from Klubnik to Briningstool, making it 31-14.
SMU didn’t back down. The Mustangs scored two more touchdowns, including a 20-yard pass from Jennings to Matthew Hibner and a 46-yard field goal by Collin Rogers, narrowing the gap to 31-24. After a Clemson punt, SMU methodically drove 79 yards to tie the game with a 16-yard touchdown pass to Roderick Daniels Jr., setting the stage for Hauser’s heroics.
The Tigers, facing a final chance, quickly moved into scoring range. Randall’s 41-yard kickoff return gave Clemson great starting field position, and Klubnik’s clutch throw to Williams set up the game-winning field goal.
Clemson’s dramatic victory earned them another ACC title and kept their playoff hopes alive as they await their official postseason destination. The College Football Playoff selection will be revealed on Sunday afternoon, and Clemson will be looking for its chance to compete for another national championship
