Clemson backdoored their way into the ACC Championship game a week ago after Syracuse upset the Miami Hurricanes. That win kept the Tigers playoff hopes alive and Saturday night in Charlotte, they punched their ticket in the most dramatic way possible by winning the ACC Championship.
The Tigers weathered a furious 17-point fourth quarter from SMU including a game-tying touchdown with 16 seconds left. Followingn 39-yard kickiff return and 17-yard completion, freshman Nolan Hauser sent everyone home with a 56-yard game winning field goal as time expired.
Afterwards, social media went nuts reacting to the fantastic finish. Here are a few of our favorite tweets about the game.
CLEMSON WINS THE ACC CHAMPIONSHIP ON A 56 YARD FIELD GOAL🤯
— PFF College (@PFF_College) December 8, 2024
The ACC title game would not have mattered at all in a four team playoff. This year it was an absolute classic with everyone watching. The 12 team playoff isn’t just good, it’s GREAT for college football.
— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) December 8, 2024
Clemson SMU is the definition of a hate watch. I hate both teams and I hate how invested I am
— Riley (@Ri_S_OB) December 8, 2024
#8 SMU has 11 wins. No losses to unranked teams.
Lost to #18 BYU that is 10-2 by 3 points and lost to #17 Clemson in the ACC title game by 3 points.
And the 2nd loss came in the extra game when other teams didn’t play this weekend.
Put this team in the playoff.
— pablo escobarner (blue check) (@PabloEscoburner) December 8, 2024
South Carolina beats Clemson, who wins the ACC championship with the same record, gets a bye in the CFP, and South Carolina (who beat 4 ranked teams in the final 6 weeks) gets left out of the CFP. pic.twitter.com/6oeqVMSoer
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) December 8, 2024
Clemson in!!!!! Holy smokes what an ending!!!!
SMU you are in
Bama… sorry but not looking too good
— Aaron Murray (@aaronmurray11) December 8, 2024
Nolan Hauser is a Clemson legacy.
His dad played for Clemson in the College World Series, and his mom was an All-American soccer player for the Tigers.
The true freshman just hit a 56-yard field goal to win the ACC and send Clemson to the CFP.
— Front Office Sports (@FOS) December 8, 2024
Clemson just knocked Alabama out of the CFP
— Robert Griffin III (@RGIII) December 8, 2024
Final resume:
Texas: 11-2, 0-2, vs. Top 25 teams, best win 8-4 Texas A&M
SMU: 11-2, 0-2 vs. Top 25 teams, best win 9-3 Duke
If your argument is SMU should be out after tonight – that’s fine. But you also better have Texas out of the field as well
— Aaron Torres (@Aaron_Torres) December 8, 2024
