Clemson defeats North Carolina

Associated Press

CHARLOTTE, N.C.

Heisman Trophy hopeful Deshaun Watson threw for three touchdowns and ran for two more as No. 1 Clemson stayed unbeaten — perhaps helped by a disputed call — by holding off eighth-ranked North Carolina 45-37 Saturday night in the ACC championship game.

Watson’s 420 total yards and five total touchdowns set ACC championship game records and assures the Tigers (13-0) a spot in the College Football Playoff.

It didn’t come without some suspense.

North Carolina’s Ryan Switzer hauled in his second TD catch of the game with 1:13 left to cut Clemson’s lead to eight and threaten the Tigers.

The Tar Heels appeared to recover the onside kick, but were called for being offside — although replays didn’t show any player in a blue jersey being offside — and had to kick again. The Tar Heels attempted another onside kick and this time Clemson recovered and ran out the clock.

“I had a chance to look at it and they missed it. They were wrong. That’s all I’m going to say about it. They were wrong,” UNC coach Larry Fedora said.

Now, the only suspense left is whether Clemson or No. 2 Alabama is in the top spot when the playoff pairings are revealed Sunday.

“We’ve got three top 10 wins. Anybody else got that? And we’re 13-0,” a grinning Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said after the game.

Clemson racked up a conference championship game record 608 yards, eclipsing the 500-yard mark for the ninth consecutive game.

Wayne Gallman ran for 185 yards on 27 carries and scored two touchdowns and Artavis Scott had seven catches for 96 yards and a score.

Marquise Williams threw for 224 yards and three touchdowns and also ran for 81 yards and a score for the Tar Heels (11-2, No. 10 CFP), who were trying to win their first ACC title in 35 years.