Clemson Tigers Edge SMU Mustangs 34-31 in Thrilling 2024 ACC Championship Game

On December 7, 2024, the No. 18 Clemson Tigers (10-3, 7-1 ACC) staged a dramatic 34-31 victory over the No. 8 SMU Mustangs (11-2, 8-0 ACC) in the ACC Championship Game at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. A crowd of 53,808 witnessed a heart-stopping contest that culminated in a record-breaking 56-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser as time expired, securing Clemson’s ninth ACC title under coach Dabo Swinney and a College Football Playoff berth. Powered by Cade Klubnik’s four touchdown passes and a valiant comeback by SMU’s Kevin Jennings, the game was a showcase of offensive firepower and clutch plays. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the player stats and pivotal moments from this instant classic.

Match Summary

• Sport: College Football
• Event: ACC Championship Game
• Date: December 7, 2024
• Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
• Attendance: 53,808
• Weather: Partly cloudy, 27°F
• Matchup: Clemson Tigers Football vs SMU Football Match Player Stats
• Final Score: Clemson Tigers 34, SMU Mustangs 31
• Game-Winning Play: 56-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser as time expired (ACC Championship record)

Game Overview

The ACC Championship Game was a high-octane affair, with Clemson jumping to a 21-7 first-quarter lead, only for SMU to rally from a 17-point deficit to tie the game with 16 seconds remaining. The Tigers amassed 323 total yards (260 passing, 63 rushing), while SMU outgained them with 458 yards (310 passing, 148 rushing). Clemson converted 7-of-17 third downs and won the turnover battle 2-1, capitalizing on an early fumble forced by T.J. Parker. SMU’s 9-of-18 third-down conversions and 28 first downs kept them in the game, but Hauser’s historic kick sealed their fate. The game, played under partly cloudy skies at 27°F, lived up to its billing as a clash of ACC titans.

Clemson Tigers: Key Performances

Offensive Highlights

Clemson’s offense was driven by quarterback Cade Klubnik’s precision and wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr.’s explosive plays, with the team scoring four passing touchdowns. Key performers included:

• Cade Klubnik (QB): Klubnik, named ACC Championship Game MVP, completed 24 of 41 passes for 262 yards, four touchdowns, and no interceptions (141.7 passer rating). His touchdowns included two to Wesco Jr. (35 and 43 yards) and two to Jake Briningstool (5 yards each). He also rushed 14 times for 20 yards. Klubnik’s three first-quarter touchdown passes set an ACC Championship Game record for a single quarter, and his four total tied Trevor Lawrence’s 2019 record. He surpassed 3,000 passing yards (3,303) and 30 touchdowns (33) for the season, ranking eighth and sixth in Clemson history, respectively.
• Bryant Wesco Jr. (WR): Wesco Jr. had a career day, catching 8 of 11 targets for 143 yards and two touchdowns (35 and 43 yards in the 1st quarter). His 143 yards marked his third 100-yard game as a true freshman, joining elite Clemson company like Sammy Watkins and DeAndre Hopkins.
• Antonio Williams (WR): Williams caught 5 of 7 targets for 50 yards, including a critical 17-yard reception with three seconds left to set up Hauser’s game-winner. He reached 70 receptions and 800 receiving yards for the season.
• Jake Briningstool (TE): Briningstool caught 4 of 8 targets for 23 yards, scoring twice on 5-yard touchdown receptions in the 1st and 3rd quarters. His heads-up fumble recovery in the 2nd quarter on a Klubnik miscue gained a first down near midfield.
• T.J. Moore (WR): Moore caught 3 of 7 targets for 31 yards, averaging 10.3 yards per catch.
• Phil Mafah (RB): Mafah rushed 13 times for 28 yards (2.2 yards per carry) and caught 1 pass for 2 yards, reaching 1,100 rushing yards for the season.
• Jay Haynes (RB): Haynes rushed 5 times for 15 yards and caught 1 pass for 3 yards.
• Josh Sapp (TE): Sapp caught 1 pass for 10 yards.
• Cole Turner (WR): Turner had 1 catch for -1 yard.

Clemson went 3-for-17 with runners in scoring position but capitalized on big plays, with Wesco Jr.’s long receptions and Klubnik’s clutch passing driving the offense.

Defensive Highlights

• T.J. Parker (DE): Parker set the tone with a sack-fumble on SMU’s opening drive, leading to Clemson’s first touchdown. His pressure on Jennings was relentless, contributing to Clemson’s dominance in the trenches.
• Team Defense: Clemson recorded three sacks and kept Jennings scrambling, limiting SMU’s rushing efficiency despite their 148 yards. The Tigers won the turnover battle, recovering two fumbles and allowing only one turnover.

Kicking

• Nolan Hauser (K): Hauser was the hero, going 4-for-4 on extra points and 2-for-3 on field goals, including a 44-yard kick in the 2nd quarter and the game-winning 56-yard field goal as time expired—the longest in ACC Championship Game history and the longest in Clemson postseason history. His 10 points pushed him to 107 for the season, a Clemson true freshman record.

SMU Mustangs: Key Performances

Offensive Highlights

SMU’s offense was powered by Kevin Jennings’ dual-threat ability and Brashard Smith’s all-purpose brilliance, amassing 458 total yards. Key performers included:

• Kevin Jennings (QB): Jennings, a third-team All-ACC selection, completed 32 of 51 passes for 310 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception (126.4 passer rating). He also rushed 10 times for 35 yards, scoring on a 24-yard run in the 1st quarter. His touchdown passes included a 10-yard throw to Brashard Smith (3rd quarter), a 20-yard pass to Matthew Hibner (4th quarter), and a 4-yard game-tying strike to Roderick Daniels Jr. with 16 seconds left. Jennings reached 3,000 passing yards for the season, marking his fourth 300-yard game.
• Brashard Smith (RB): Smith, a first-team All-ACC honoree, rushed 24 times for 113 yards (4.7 yards per carry) and caught 6 of 10 targets for 34 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown in the 3rd quarter. His 1,270 rushing yards and 1,814 all-purpose yards rank ninth and second in SMU history, respectively.
• Roderick Daniels Jr. (WR): Daniels Jr., an honorable mention All-ACC selection, caught 8 of 10 targets for 97 yards, including a 4-yard touchdown to tie the game in the 4th quarter. He added 7 punt return yards, totaling 104 all-purpose yards.
• Matthew Hibner (TE): Hibner caught 5 of 6 targets for 69 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown in the 4th quarter, his third straight game with a touchdown.
• Romello Brinson (WR): Brinson caught 6 of 8 targets for 51 yards, averaging 8.5 yards per catch.
• Jordan Hudson (WR): Hudson caught 4 of 5 targets for 19 yards.
• Moochie Dixon (WR): Dixon caught 2 of 5 targets for 27 yards.
• Key’Shawn Smith (WR): Smith caught 1 of 5 targets for 13 yards.

SMU went 5-for-15 with runners in scoring position and converted 9-of-18 third downs, with Jennings’ late-game heroics nearly forcing overtime.

Defensive Highlights

• Elijah Roberts (DE): Roberts recorded 1.5 sacks, contributing to SMU’s three sacks and eight tackles for loss.
• Jared Harrison-Hunte (DT): Harrison-Hunte, a first-team All-ACC selection, had 1.0 sack and 2.0 tackles for loss, disrupting Clemson’s offensive line.
• Jahfari Harvey (DE): Harvey added 0.5 sacks to SMU’s defensive effort.
• Team Defense: SMU forced three straight punts in the 4th quarter, setting up their game-tying drive. However, their secondary struggled against Wesco Jr.’s speed, and a poor kickoff coverage on Adam Randall’s 41-yard return allowed Clemson’s final drive.

Kicking

• Collin Rogers (K): Rogers, an honorable mention All-ACC selection, went 4-for-4 on extra points and 1-for-2 on field goals, hitting a 46-yard kick in the 4th quarter. His 120 points this season rank third in SMU history, and his 59 career field goals and 175 PATs set SMU records.

Key Moments and Scoring Summary

• 1st Quarter:
  • 13:35: Klubnik’s 35-yard touchdown pass to Wesco Jr. after Parker’s sack-fumble gave Clemson a 7-0 lead (+12% WPA).
  • 10:47: Klubnik’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Briningstool made it 14-0 (+8% WPA).
  • 7:05: Jennings’ 24-yard touchdown run answered for SMU, cutting the lead to 14-7 (-6% WPA).
  • 3:28: Klubnik’s 43-yard touchdown pass to Wesco Jr. extended Clemson’s lead to 21-7 (+10% WPA).
• 2nd Quarter:
  • 5:22: Hauser’s 44-yard field goal pushed Clemson’s lead to 24-7 (+5% WPA).
• 3rd Quarter:
  • 11:04: Jennings’ 10-yard touchdown pass to Smith narrowed the gap to 24-14 (-7% WPA).
  • 0:23: Klubnik’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Briningstool restored a 17-point lead, 31-14 (+9% WPA).
• 4th Quarter:
  • 13:22: Jennings’ 20-yard touchdown pass to Hibner made it 31-21 (-6% WPA).
  • 6:56: Rogers’ 46-yard field goal brought SMU within 31-24 (-4% WPA).
  • 0:16: Jennings’ 4-yard touchdown pass to Daniels Jr. tied the game at 31-31 after a 16-play, 79-yard drive (-15% WPA for Clemson).
  • 0:00: Hauser’s 56-yard field goal, set up by Randall’s 41-yard kickoff return and Williams’ 17-yard catch, won it for Clemson (+25% WPA).

Win Probability and Top Plays

According to ESPN’s win probability chart, Clemson held a 100% chance of victory after Hauser’s kick. Key plays by Win Probability Added (WPA) included:

• Hauser’s 56-yard field goal (4th, 0:00): +25% WPA, clinching the win.
• Jennings’ 4-yard touchdown pass to Daniels Jr. (4th, 0:16): -15% WPA for Clemson, tying the game.
• Klubnik’s 35-yard touchdown to Wesco Jr. (1st, 13:35): +12% WPA, setting the early tone.
• Klubnik’s 43-yard touchdown to Wesco Jr. (1st, 3:28): +10% WPA, building a 21-7 lead.

Analysis and Takeaways

Clemson’s victory was a testament to their fast start and clutch execution. Klubnik’s four touchdown passes, including three in the first quarter, exploited SMU’s early miscues, including a sack-fumble and dropped passes. Wesco Jr.’s 143 receiving yards overwhelmed SMU’s secondary, while Hauser’s 56-yard kick—the longest in ACC Championship history—cemented his place in Clemson lore. The Tigers’ 7-of-17 third-down conversions and 2-1 turnover edge were critical, as was their dominance in the trenches, with Parker’s early sack setting the tone.

SMU’s comeback showcased their resilience, with Jennings’ 310 passing yards and four total touchdowns nearly stealing the game. Brashard Smith’s 113 rushing yards and 1,814 all-purpose yards for the season highlighted his elite versatility. However, SMU’s early mistakes—two turnovers, penalties, and poor kickoff coverage—proved costly. Their 458 total yards and 28 first downs outpaced Clemson, but their defensive backs couldn’t contain Wesco Jr., and the final kickoff return allowed Clemson’s game-winning drive.

The game had major playoff implications. Clemson’s win secured their seventh CFP berth, potentially earning a first-round bye, while SMU’s loss left them on the bubble despite an 11-2 record and 8-0 ACC regular season. Coach Dabo Swinney praised SMU’s playoff-worthiness, noting their comeback from a 31-14 deficit. Posts on X highlighted Clemson’s loaded 2025 receiving corps, with Wesco Jr. and Williams projected as elite talents, and Klubnik as a Heisman favorite.

Conclusion

The Clemson Tigers’ 34-31 victory over the SMU Mustangs in the 2024 ACC Championship Game was a thrilling showcase of offensive brilliance and dramatic finishes. Cade Klubnik’s four touchdown passes and Bryant Wesco Jr.’s 143 receiving yards powered Clemson, while Nolan Hauser’s 56-yard field goal sealed their ninth ACC title under Dabo Swinney. SMU’s Kevin Jennings and Brashard Smith nearly pulled off an epic comeback, but early mistakes and a critical kickoff return proved their undoing. This instant classic, decided by the longest field goal in ACC Championship history, propelled Clemson to the College Football Playoff and left SMU awaiting their postseason fate, capping a memorable clash of ACC powerhouses.