CHARLOTTE – The last time Clemson made the College Football Playoff, Phil Mafah was still in high school.

One thing the senior back wanted to accomplish before wrapping up his collegiate career was to experience what that was like and after the Tigers’ last-second 34-31 win over SMU in the ACC Championship Game, Mafah now gets that opportunity.

After the Mustangs tied the game with just 16 seconds remaining, most assumed the contest was headed for overtime. However, the Tigers had other ideas.

Adam Randall’s 41-yard kickoff return and Antonio Williams’ 17-yard catch set up Nolan Hauser’s 56-yard game-winning field goal as time expired, sending Clemson back to the playoff for the first time since the 2020 season.

“When they scored that touchdown, I was prepared to go into overtime, getting my mind right for that,” Mafah told The Clemson Insider. “But we still had time on the clock. Adam made that big play and then we threw that first down to Tone and I knew we were in field goal position. Nolan finished it up in his home city and it couldn’t be more of a fairytale story than that.”

Mafah has been playing through pain over the past few weeks. The senior back had been dealing with a banged up shoulder throughout the year. Over the first half of the season, no one noticed but over the last month, it has become apparent that Mafah is playing through pain.

The Tigers do get a week off before heading to Austin to face Texas, and every little bit of rest will help. At the same time, he wont be 100%.

“It’s a little banged up,” Mafah admitted. “I got time to heal up and give it my all. I am going to get as healthy as I can to help my team.”

Despite the pain, Mafah is determined to push through. With backup Jay Haynes suffering an injury of his own during the win over SMU, Mafah knows that his team needs him now more than ever.

“It feels amazing,” Mafah said. “Just the opportunity to be in this game and actually win it and have the opportunity to go to the playoff, this is what we dreamed of since we were little kids.”

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