CHARLOTTE – No matter how we got here, Clemson is headed back to the College Football Playoff.

The last time the Tigers played on that stage, Trevor Lawrence was still throwing the passes.

Saturday night’s win was full of dramatics. From SMU’s furious fourth-quarter rally to Nolan Hauser’s 56-yard game-winning field goal that set a record for the longest in the history of the ACC Championship Game. It was the fourth-longest in the history of the program, as well as the longest game-winner.

What an ironic way to clinch a spot in the playoff. After all the issues the Tigers have had with the field goal unit this season, Hauser punches Clemson’s ticket walk-off style.

Offense Can’t Put Mustangs Away

For whatever reason, this offense just hasn’t been able to put teams away in the second half of the season. Entering the fourth quarter last night, the Tigers were comfortably up 31-14. All they needed was one scoring drive. Even if it was only a field goal.

Instead, Clemson mustered just 10 yards in the final quarter, not counting Cade Klubnik’s 17-yard pass to Antonio Williams that set up Hauser’s heroics. There were two three-and-outs to start the fourth quarter that generated -4 yards. The third possession did see the offense pick up one first down before punting it away again. And it’s not like the Tigers got overly conservative. There were almost twice as many pass plays as there were running plays.

While the fourth quarter defense left a lot to be desired, that is only part of the story. The offense hung that unit out to dry in the most critical part of the game.

Wesco Time

While Klubnik officially took home MVP honors for Clemson, my vote went to Wesco. The freshman wideout had a career night, catching eight balls for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

Wesco showed on Saturday night why he is a former 5-star and gave fans a glimpse of what they can look forward to over the next two years.

3rd Down Defense

Through the first three quarters the defense was getting off the field as the SMU offense was just 3-of-10 on third down. That all changed in the final stanza. The Mustangs converted one third down after another, including a couple of third and longs. SMU was an eye-popping 6-of-8 on third down in that final quarter. That just isn’t the recipe for success and a big part of why the Mustangs were able to come all the back way from being down 17 points.

Up and Down Special Teams

While the Tigers were able to get both field goal attempts off in the game, something they’ve struggled with this season, there were other special teams issues that reared its ugly head. Including Hauser missing wide right on his first try.

Keith Adams Jr. inexplicably signaled for a fair catch while serving as one of the upbacks on a kickoff. The result was a muff by freshman running back David Eziomume, who was serving as the return man after Jay Haynes left with an injury.

Speaking of Haynes, he was actually hurt on an earlier kickoff return and it was a nasty looking injury. However, that is one he probably should not have tried to bring out to begin with. He didn’t come close to even bringing it out to the 25.

On the other side of that, Williams did have a 21-yard punt return and then there was Adam Randall’s electric 41-yard kick return after SMU had tied the game. It was the longest kickoff return for Clemson this season.

Randall is one of those guys that has been passed by on the depth chart with the emergence of those two true freshmen. However, when his number was called as the third-team kick returner, he was ready. Without that return, Clemson doesn’t win it in regulation and I’m not sure anyone was feeling good about the Tigers’ chances had the game gone into overtime.

Playing Clean

For the first time since 1952 Clemson had no penalties.

Next Up

Clemson will now make its long-awaited return to the College Football Playoff on the road against Texas. No matter how they got there, the Tigers are in. Now we see if they can make the most of that opportunity.