CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Ever since top-ranked Clemson wrapped up its second straight win over South Carolina one week ago, all it heard was how good No. 8 North Carolina was and how the Tigers once vaunted defense was too worn down to keep up with a Tar Heels’ offense that was averaging 41.2 points and 495.7 yards per game.

“We have been doubted all year,” Clemson linebacker Ben Boulware said. “I don’t know why? We continue to defy the odds and beat everyone we have played, but for some reason (he laughs) … people think we are going to lose.

“That did motivate us a little bit.”

It motivated the Tigers enough to limit UNC to its worst offensive output of the season. Clemson’s defense, which has been maligned in recent weeks for subpar performances against Syracuse and South Carolina, held UNC to a season-low 382 total yards as well as a season-low 142 rushing yards.

The Tigers (13-0) held North Carolina to 103 yards in the first half and forced five three-and-outs.

“I thought in the first half we were dominant defensively,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said.

Clemson was also very disruptive, especially up front where Shaq Lawson, Carlos Watkins, Christian Wilkins, Scott Pagano, D.J. Reader and Kevin Dodd harassed quarterback Marquise Williams all night. They only brought him to the ground two times for sacks, but it was obvious they got in his head.

Williams completed just 11 of 33 passes for 224 yards. Though he did end up throwing for three touchdowns, he was off the mark and throwing high all night. The damage was already done.

“We wanted to make him hold the ball, and at time it was really good,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said. “We missed some opportunities, but he is a great player and a great competitor. But I thought it was important to keep them off balance…

“We want to disrupt the launch point, and get pressure up the middle.”

Lawson, who had two sacks, said the key for the Tigers were to make Williams as uncomfortable as possible.

“We knew we had to put pressure on him. Coming into this game, we knew he liked to stand in the pocket,” Clemson’s defensive end said. “We knew we would have an opportunity to make plays on him.

“They allowed the fewest sacks in the ACC this year so we knew the key was to get to the quarterback.”

Clemson also held All-ACC first-team running back Elijah Hood to 65 yards on 14 carries.

“The biggest thing is we watched them play. We knew we need to come ready to play, and for a good part of tonight we really were,” Venables said.

Venables admitted he and his defense were motivated to prove everyone they could slow down North Carolina’s powerful offense.

“We were very motivated, but I think as much as anything for an opportunity to win an ACC Championship,” he said. “What was at stake was the biggest motivating factor.”

Though a few breakdowns in coverage and a missed tackle or two allowed UNC to get a couple of late scores to make things interesting at the end, Clemson’s defense still made plays when they needed to the most in the ACC Championship Game.

They forced two turnovers—one inside their own five—including a strip-sack that sealed the Tigers’ victory.

With a little less than seven minutes to play, and trailing 42-30, UNC moved the ball from its 21 to the Clemson 36. But on first down, Lawson beat left tackle Bentley Spain and striped the ball from Williams’ hand, where freshmen defensive end Austin Bryant quickly dove on the loose ball to end the drive.

The Tar Heels second turnover led to a Greg Huegel 27-yard field goal that gave the Tigers a 45-30 lead with 2:19 to play.

“That was a huge play,” Venables said. “We brought a man-free pressure and decided to bring a few guys. We played to win. I have to remind myself of that one. Shaq makes a great play and beats a guy one-on-one, got pressure up the middle and the quarterback holds the ball. We had tight coverage, and that was a huge play in the game.”