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Clemson turns SMU turnover into first touchdown of ACC Championship game
By Sydney Hunte
Published:
Clemson’s defense set the table for its offense to take an early 7-0 lead over SMU in the ACC Championship Game in Charlotte on Saturday.
On the Mustangs’ third play of scrimmage, quarterback Kevin Jennings coughed the ball up on a sack by T.J. Parker that was recovered by the Tigers defensive end at the SMU 33.
https://twitter.com/UnnecRoughness/status/1865566921371816328/video/1
Two plays later, the Tigers were in the end zone. Cade Klubnik was sacked on first and 10, but on the next play fooled the Mustangs defense on what looked like a designed run to the left — instead finding a wide-open Bryant Wesco for the score:
— dubs408 (@dubsvidstouse) December 8, 2024
It was Klubnik’s 30th touchdown pass of the season, while Wesco, a true freshman, scored for the fourth time.
The Tigers are in the ACC Championship Game for a 10th time, seeking their unprecedented 9th win in the contest. They’ll have to knock off SMU, who came into the game with an 11-1 record in its first year in the ACC.
The Mustangs will lock up a College Football Playoff spot with a win. A Tigers victory should see the Tigers in the 12-team field.
Sydney is an Atlanta-based journalist who has covered everything from SEC and ACC football to MLS, the U.S. men's national soccer team and professional tennis. His work has appeared on such platforms as SB Nation, Cox Media Group and FanSided.
