The Clemson Tigers won their second straight ACC championship with a 42-35 win over Virginia Tech, and likely clinched their second straight berth in the College Football Playoff in the process.
Led by Deshaun Watson's five total touchdowns, Clemson managed to keep a pesky Hokies team at bay. The Tigers quickly built a 14-0 lead by scoring on their first two drives, and after Virginia Tech answered, Watson found tight end Jordan Leggett for the second time to give Clemson a 21-7 advantage.
Clemson then appeared ready to break the game open in the third quarter, as back to back touchdown runs from Wayne Gallman and Watson - with an incredible interception by Cordrea Tankersley in between - gave them a 35-14 lead. Of course, the Hokies wouldn't go away, responding with two more touchdown runs of their own to cut the lead back to seven.
Yet, Clemson had one final answer for Virginia Tech, driving down the field for a 15-yard touchdown pass from Watson to Hunter Renfrow to put the game away.
Clemson goes up 42-28 on Virginia Tech as Hunter Renfrow takes the 15-yard screen pass into the end zone! #ACCChampionship #CLEMvsVT pic.twitter.com/NOdjDu37dZ
— Chat Sports (@ChatSports) December 4, 2016
Virginia Tech added another touchdown after that, but Clemson's defense stopped them from that point on.
Watson led the way for the Tigers, passing for 288 yards and three scores while rushing for 85 yards and two more touchdowns on 17 carries. Clemson moves to 12-1 on the season with the win, and will likely head to the Fiesta Bowl in their playoff semifinal matchup.
Quarterback Jerod Evans had an equally good game for the Hokies, tallying 310 total yards and three total touchdowns. Virginia Tech falls to 9-4 on the year with the loss, and are likely headed to the Cirtus Bowl.
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