CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) – Heisman Trophy hopeful Deshaun Watson threw for 289 yards and three touchdowns and ran for two scores, and No. 1 Clemson captured the ACC championship by holding off eighth-ranked North Carolina 45-37 on Saturday night.
Watson’s 420 total yards and five total touchdowns set ACC championship game records and assures the Tigers (13-0) a spot in the College Football Playoff.
It didn’t come without some suspense.
North Carolina’s Ryan Switzer hauled in his second TD catch of the game with 1:13 left to cut Clemson’s lead to eight and give the Tigers a scare.
The Tar Heels appeared to recover the onside kick, but were called for being offside – although replays didn’t show any player in a blue jersey being offside – and had to kick again. The Tar Heels attempted another onside kick and this time Clemson recovered and ran out the clock.