In a dramatic finish to the 2024 ACC Championship, Clemson secured the title with a walk-off field goal, defeating the North Carolina Tar Heels 27-24 in a game that kept fans on the edge of their seats until the very last second.
With just seconds remaining in a tied game, Clemson’s special teams unit took the spotlight. After a strong 60-yard drive, which was capped by a clutch pass from quarterback Cade Klubnik to wide receiver Antonio Williams, the Tigers set up a 43-yard field goal attempt with only 5 seconds left on the clock. Freshman kicker Ryan Fitzgerald, who had been perfect all season, trotted onto the field with the pressure mounting.
As the stadium held its breath, Fitzgerald’s kick sailed through the uprights as time expired, securing Clemson’s ninth ACC Championship under head coach Dabo Swinney. The win marked a dramatic comeback for the Tigers, who had trailed by as much as 10 points in the second half.
Clemson’s defense had kept them in the game, led by a relentless performance from linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr., who intercepted a pass and made key tackles to stymie North Carolina’s offense late in the game. The Tar Heels, led by quarterback Drake Maye, had a chance to take the lead in the final minutes but were thwarted by Clemson’s defense in a crucial goal-line stand.
Klubnik, who threw for 260 yards and two touchdowns, praised his teammates’ poise in the face of adversity. “We never lost faith,” he said after the game. “Everyone stepped up when we needed it, and Ryan came through with the game-winner. This is a team win.”
With the ACC Championship secured, Clemson now turns its focus to the College Football Playoff, where they will look to add another national title to their storied history.
