Clemson 2017 ACC Champions; Final: No. 1 Clemson 38, No. 7 Miami 3

No. 1 Clemson (12-1, 7-1) stated their case for being the top seed in the College Football Playoff standings with a 38-0 surgical dismantling of Miami (10-2, 7-1) in the ACC Championship. 

The Tigers opened the ACC Championship game with a ten play 68-yard drive, capped by freshman Travis Etienne's 13th rushing touchdown of the season.

During the opening series, Clemson's Kelly Bryant hooked up with Hunter Renfrow three times for 41 yards. The Tigers converted two third downs on the scoring drive giving Clemson a 7-0 lead. 

The first drive was indicative of the night Clemson had as they never allowed Miami a chance to get comfortable.

Miami's first possession was set to end with an opening three and out, facing 4th and 1, the Hurricanes were flagged for a false start which backed them up further. The Tigers shifted from "punt safe" taking Hunter Renfrow out of the game and Ray-Ray McCloud came in to return the punt. 

As McCloud attempted to field the punt, he tripped, and the ball was recovered by Miami in Clemson territory.

That was about as good as it got for Miami, and the result of the drive wasn't great.

The Hurricane's couldn't capitalize on Clemson's misstep. Clemson's defense read a screen to Braxton Berrios on 3rd down, dropping him for a seven-yard loss pushing kicker Michael Badgley's field goal to 46-yards. He pushed it left, and Miami never mounted another scoring threat.

On Clemson's next series, McCloud had a chance for redemption. On a seam route, he caught the football in a dead sprint but fumbled the ball for the second time. Fortunately for McCloud, Milan Richard was in position to recover the loose ball. The play resulted in a 25-yard gain putting the Tigers deep in Miami territory.

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Ray-Ray McCloud breaks into the open field during Clemson's ACC Championship win over Miami.

Even with the issues, Clemson didn't turn away from the Florida native, who caught another ball on the drive. Then McClould delivered the key block on Kelly Bryant's 11-yard scoring run giving Clemson a 14-0 lead with 3:02 left in the 1st quarter.

The next series didn't go much better for the Hurricanes as Wilkins and Skalski had a combo sack on third down, then a drop on 3rd down led to a shanked punt giving Clemson the ball at the Miami 41 yard line.

Up two scores, Clemson had a methodical nine play scoring drive capped by Adam Choice walking into the end zone giving Clemson 21-0 lead, tying the largest lead in ACC Championship history.

Miami's next possession wasn't much better as they managed just 16 yards on six plays before punting the ball back to the Tigers. It would be a consistent theme for the 'Canes.

The Tigers next drive started at the 15-yard line, Bryant who was still perfect on the day, facing a 3rd and 16, hit McCloud for an 18-yard gain. Bryant missed on his next three throws and Clemson was forced to punt with 5:37 left in the second quarter.

Neither team could do much during the remaining minutes of the half, Miami mounted a drive late that had a tinge of a threat to it, but Clemson's defense held once again. 

Miami received the second half kickoff and moved the ball out towards midfield before a sack for a loss of seven by Dexter Lawrence forced the 5th Hurricane punt of the night. On the Clemson return, McCloud made several guys miss and was a step away from breaking into the open field before a facemask brought him to the ground. 

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Clemson fans celebrate the Tigers third consecutive ACC Championship. 

The Tigers offense then navigated into Miami territory, before a 7-yard sack of Bryant tested the leg of Alex Spence from 46-yards out. Spence just missed the uprights and barely cleared the crossbar, but the kick was good giving Clemson a 24-0 lead with 10:14 left in the 3rd quarter.

Ryan Carter who got things going for the Tigers last weekend with a pick-six against South Carlina made his presence felt on the next two series. The senior cornerback created two Hurricane turnovers continuing his strong play.

The first came after Carter was beaten by Miami's Jeff Thomas, but he recovered and poked the ball free. Dorian O'Daniel pounced on the loose ball giving Clemson another offensive opportunity. Clemson did little with the possession, but on the next Miami drive, Carter picked off a tipped ball giving Clemson their third consecutive drive starting in Miami territory.

Six plays later, Clemson expanded the lead to 31-0 on a powerful 11-yard run from Tavien Feaster. 

Miami's next drive ended with another turn over as a tipped ball by Dexter Lawrence was picked off and returned 37 yards by Kendall Joseph. Three plays later, Deon Cain got free on a double move and Bryant dropped a dime giving Clemson a 38-0 lead as the game moved towards the final quarter.

To put into perspective, Clemson had the luxury of playing Hunter Johnson with 14:20 seconds left in the fourth quarter. 

The Hurricanes hit a field goal late, but it was Clemson's night 38-3.

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