SMU came back from down 17 factors within the fourth quarter, nevertheless it wasn’t sufficient.
Clemson knocked a 56-yard field goal as time expired to earn a 34-31 victory within the ACC title sport, incomes an automated bid into the School Soccer Playoff.
The Tigers had been ranked seventeenth within the nation, so no less than one workforce contained in the top-12 goes to get the boot from the playoff.
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(L-R) Head coach Rhett Lashlee of the SMU Mustangs and head coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers converse earlier than the 2024 ACC Soccer Championship at Financial institution of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Photos)
SMU, ranked eighth within the nation coming into the title sport, now could be on the surface wanting in.
The Ponies’ destiny is within the arms of the CFP committee, but when Dabo Swinney had been on it, his choice can be clear.
“That is a playoff workforce. SMU, they higher be in that dang playoff,” he advised ESPN on the sector after the sport.
“There isn’t any approach they should not be in these playoffs.”
Swinney and Rhett Lashlee shared a protracted embrace at midfield upon the profitable area aim going by way of the posts, and it is laborious to think about Swinney didn’t share these sentiments with the SMU head coach.
Head Coach Dabo Swinney of the Clemson Tigers speaks to his workforce through the first half of the ACC Championship sport at Financial institution of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (David Jensen/Getty Photos)
SMU tied the sport with 16 seconds left after a 16-play drive, however Adam Randall returned the following kickoff 41 yards to their very own 45. Cade Klubnik then discovered Antonio Williams for 17 yards, and the Tigers referred to as a timeout, bringing out Nolan Hauser, who drilled the 56-yarder with loads to spare.
Clemson and Arizona State will likely be in rivalry for the ultimate bye into the quarterfinals – the Solar Devils walloped Iowa State within the Huge 12 championship on Saturday afternoon.
Nolan Hauser #81 of the Clemson Tigers celebrates with teammates after kicking the sport profitable area aim after the 2024 ACC Soccer Championship at Financial institution of America Stadium on December 07, 2024 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Grant Halverson/Getty Photos)
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After all, the committee determined to maneuver to 12 groups to ensure that there to be extra room for error; given the controversy of leaving out Florida State final 12 months, who would have thought this may nonetheless be troublesome?
All the area will likely be introduced on Sunday at 12 p.m. ET.
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