Clemson defeats Virginia Tech 42-35 in tense ACC title game

Clemson’s spot in the College Football Playoff was likely cemented Saturday night with a 42-35 win against Virginia Tech in the ACC Championship game. It was Clemson’s second straight title.

Clemson defensive back Cordrea Tankersley intercepted a fourth-down pass by Virginia quarterback Jerod Evans with just over a minute remaining, and the Tigers were able to run out the clock on what was an unexpectedly tight game.

But it didn’t start out tight.

Clemson jumped out to a 14-0 lead and appeared to be cruising before Virginia Tech got its bearings and started to put up a fight. The Hokies stormed back in the first half to trail by a touchdown at halftime and appeared to have the momentum. However, the Tigers pushed their lead to 35-14 in the third quarter, but Virginia Tech would not go away. It whittled the lead down to a touchdown early in the fourth quarter and Clemson had to fight against letting the momentum get away.

Every time Clemson would try and distance itself from the Hokies, Virginia Tech would be nipping at the Tigers’ heels. Even late in the fourth quarter, with the Tigers up a touchdown, Clemson punted the ball back to Virginia Tech and it looked like a terrible decision.

But the Clemson defense, which looked like a shell of the defense that had played so well early in the season, forced the interception to seal the game.

Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson, who was still fighting for Heisman votes, completed 23 of 34 passes for 288 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He also rushed for 85 yards and two scores. Evans threw for 264 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 46 yards and two scores, but he also had two interceptions, including the one that ended the Hokies comeback bid.

Clemson’s win all but assures the Tigers a second-straight trip to the College Football Playoff. However, where they’ll be ranked is still up for debate, especially with No. 2 Ohio State sitting out championship weekend and Penn State, the only team that defeated the Buckeyes, winning the Big Ten title.

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Graham Watson is the editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email her at dr.saturday@ymail.com or follow her on Twitter! Follow @YahooDrSaturday