CHARLOTTE — The Clemson Tigers won their eighth ACC Championship in 10 years with their 34-31 victory over No. 8 SMU Saturday night at Bank of America Stadium.

While the No. 17 Tigers held a 24-7 lead at halftime, two fourth quarter touchdown passes and a field goal from SMU erased the Tigers’ 17-point cushion and tied the game with 16 seconds left to play.

It turns out, that is all Clemson (10-3, 8-1 ACC) needed.

Quarterback Cade Klubnik was preparing for overtime, but Adam Randall had different plans. The junior ran back the kickoff 41 yards to the Clemson 45. It turned out to be the Tigers’ longest return of the season.

“Adam got us down there, and that kickoff team got us down there and that was unbelievable,” Klubnik said. “I mean we’re thinking we’re about to get the ball on the 25 with 16 seconds left and we get it on the 45 with nine seconds left, so that was huge… I mean that’s just massive and also just a burst of energy.”

After Randall’s return, Klubnik did not have time to drive down the field or even have time to throw a touchdown pass. He had nine seconds to make one quick play to put the Tigers in field goal range.

Klubnik found Antonio Williams for a 17-yard gain to put the Tigers in freshman kicker Nolan Hauser’s field goal range.

“Tone made a good catch, got what he could after that and really strained to to go get a few more yards, and then got down and called timeout and gave Nolan the best shot,” said Klubnik, who won ACC Championship Game MVP honors.

After Klubnik ran off the field, he put his head down as Hauser’s 56-yard attempt sailed through the air. 

“I listened to the crowd and heard the crowd roaring behind us and I knew we made it and I just I couldn’t believe it. I could not believe it,” the junior said.

Hauser’s “unbelievable” kick punched the Tigers’ ticket to the College Football Playoff and on Sunday, Clemson will learn where it will head as the road to a national championship begins.

A limited number of signed replica road signs from Cade Klubnik are available!  Visit Clemson Variety & Frame or purchase online!