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Clemson’s 56-yard field goal at horn beats SMU in ACC title game

AP photo by Jacob Kupferman / Clemson's Nolan Hauser (81) celebrates after kicking a 56-yard field goal to lift the Tigers to a 34-31 victory over SMU in the ACC championship game Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
AP photo by Jacob Kupferman / Clemson's Nolan Hauser (81) celebrates after kicking a 56-yard field goal to lift the Tigers to a 34-31 victory over SMU in the ACC championship game Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C. AP photo by Jacob Kupferman / Clemson's Nolan Hauser (81) celebrates after kicking a 56-yard field goal to lift the Tigers to a 34-31 victory over SMU in the ACC championship game Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

By STEVE REED / The Associated Press 5 min read

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik sat in his car for more than an hour last weekend crying after the Tigers lost to Palmetto State rival South Carolina, figuring his team’s chances of reaching the College Football Playoff were over.

How things can change.

A few hours later, Klubnik found himself celebrating and hugging his roommates after Syracuse upset Miami, keeping the Hurricanes out of the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game and giving Clemson a shot at the title instead.

The Tigers took full advantage.

Klubnik threw for 262 yards and four touchdowns, Nolan Hauser kicked a 56-yard field goal as time expired, and Clemson beat No. 8 SMU 34-31 on Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium to win the ACC title, secure a spot in the CFP and position itself for a possible first-round bye.