North Carolina vs. Clemson: Score, Stats & Highlights

Final Score

10 North Carolina Tarheels 9-7-0-21 — 37
1 Clemson Tigers 7-14-14-10 — 45
Box Score

Clemson defeated North Carolina to win the ACC championship. The win completed Clemson’s undefeated regular season and unofficially sends the Tigers to the College Football Playoff.

It was a game of runs for Clemson. It was a close game throughout the first half as the Tigers made critical errors. They jumped out to a large lead in the third quarter.

The Tarheels then made a great comeback attempt but came up just short. The win made Clemson the only undefeated team in any of the power five conferences.

Here is how Clemson won the ACC championship:

North Carolina Were Called for a Phantom Offsides Penalty on an Onside Kick Attempt

North Carolina made a furious comeback attempt. Down seven points, they had a successful onside kick attempt. However, a flag was thrown and the Tarheels were called for an offsides penalty. Replays showed that North Carolina was not offsides.

The Tigers Scored Two Straight Touchdowns to Begin the Second Half

Clemson has scored a touchdown on each of its last 3 possessions. Uh oh.

— Rebecca Fiorentino (@becks23tino) December 6, 2015

After going to halftime with a narrow lead, Clemson opened up their offense in the second half. After scoring two touchdowns within a few minutes of each other, Clemson had a 35-16 lead late in the third quarter.

Clemson Scored a Touchdown to Close the First Half

Touchdown Clemson! Deshaun Watson hits Jordan Leggett with two seconds left in the half to give the Tigers the lead. 21-16 over UNC

— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) December 6, 2015

The Tigers scored a touchdown with just seconds remaining to take a 21-16 lead heading into halftime. The first half was full of errors for Clemson, but they still managed to take a lead into halftime.

North Carolina Scored Their Second Touchdown to Take the Lead

4th and 15? Clemson's punter is not afraid to run for it. https://t.co/77T2rDNvi4 pic.twitter.com/BcY2dDWnNK

— SB Nation GIF (@SBNationGIF) December 6, 2015

The Clemson punter decided to take off and run with the ball instead of punting giving North Carolina great field position. The Tarheels capitalized on the error and scored a touchdown to take the lead in the middle of the second quarter.

DeShaun Watson Scored a Rushing Touchdown

Then a Deshaun Watson touchdown run. 9 yards. Drive: 12 plays, 96 yards, 4:15 off the clock. Watson scramble early on from inside 10 was big

— Andrew Carter (@_andrewcarter) December 6, 2015

Watson scored on a 9-yard quarterback run. The touchdown put the Tigers up 14-9.

T.J. Logan Scored a 46-Yard Touchdown for North Carolina

Touchdown. North Carolina. Williams to Logan. 46 yards. Tar Heels regain the lead.

— Dr. Saturday (@YahooDrSaturday) December 6, 2015

The Tarheels responded with a touchdown of their own. Marquise Williams connected with Logan on a short pass. Logan ran it all the way in for a 46-yard score.

Clemson Scored the First Touchdown of the Game

Touchdown Clemson! Deshaun Watson hits Wayne Gallman, and he bursts to the end zone for a 16-yard score

— SI College Football (@si_ncaafb) December 6, 2015

DeShaun Watson found Wayne Gallman for a 16-yard touchdown. It gave the Tigers a 7-3 lead in the first quarter.