Clemson Tigers vs Virginia Tech Hokies Match Player Stats On Dec 03, 2016

The Sports Xchange
Dec 4, 2016

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Clemson quarterback Deshaun Watson accounted for five touchdowns as the third-ranked Tigers held off 23rd-ranked Virginia Tech 42-35 Saturday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game at Camping World Stadium.

The victory boosted Clemson to 12-1 and likely secured a second consecutive College Football Playoff berth for the Tigers, who were runners-up to Alabama in the national championship game last season.

Clemson prevailed in its first meeting against Virginia Tech since the Tigers posted a 38-10 victory in the 2011 ACC title game in Charlotte. Clemson has won three straight in the series.

It was Clemson's second consecutive ACC title and third in eight seasons under coach Dabo Swinney.

Virginia Tech was making its sixth appearance in the game but first since 2011. The Hokies finished 9-4 under first-year coach Justin Fuente.

Watson, in his final opportunity to make a statement in the Heisman Trophy race, completed 23 of 34 passes for 288 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. He also rushed 17 times for a team-high 85 yards and two more scores and was named the game's Most Valuable Player.

However, it was the defense that saved the game for the Tigers. Senior cornerback Cordrea Tankersley intercepted a pass by Virginia Tech quarterback Jerod Evans at Clemson's 14-yard line with 1:16 remaining to seal the victory.

Evans was 21 of 35 for 264 with one TD pass and two interceptions. Hokies wide receiver Cam Phillips caught 12 passes for 92 yards and a score.

Clemson led 21-14 at half largely due to the efforts of Watson, who completed 14 of 19 passes for 117 yards and two touchdowns and ran for a third score.

The Tigers wasted little time in scoring, driving 75 yards in nine plays on its opening possession. Watson completed all five of his passing attempts on the drive before keeping it himself for a 3-yard scoring run.

The Tigers extended their lead to 14-0 on their ensuing possession, driving 83 yards in nine plays, capped by Watson's 21-yard scoring toss to tight end Jordan Leggett.

Virginia Tech responded with a 12-play, 77-yard drive aided by two key penalties, including a targeting call against Clemson linebacker Dorian O'Daniel which got him ejected. The Hokies converted a fake punt on fourth-and-10 to keep the drive alive when punter Mitchell Ludwig lobbed a pass Terrell Edmunds, who gained 20 yards on the play.

Virginia Tech scored five plays later on a 1-yard run by Travon McMillian, cutting its deficit to 14-7.

Clemson scored on its third consecutive possession with Leggett capping a 75-yard drive by snagging a 10-yard touchdown pass from Watson.

Virginia Tech pulled within 21-14 with 4:09 left in the first half when Evans rumbled in from 11 yards out.

NOTES: Clemson TE Jordan Leggett has 18 career touchdown receptions, a school record for tight ends. ... Tigers junior WR Artavis Scott made seven receptions for 48 yards, tying Sammy Watkins' school record for career catches (240). ... Virginia Tech WR Isaiah Ford recorded 89 yards receiving to break Jarrett Boykin's school career receiving yardage record of 2,884.