UNC vs. Clemson: Score, Highlights and Reaction from 2015 ACC Championship

No. 1 Clemson remained perfect and likely sewed up the top spot in the College Football Playoff Saturday evening, defeating No. 10 North Carolina 45-37 in the ACC Championship Game.  

Deshaun Watson flashed his Heisman prowess all night long en route to 289 passing yards, 131 rushing yards and five total touchdowns. Clemson slipped past North Carolina thanks to a 24-21 second-half scoring advantage.  

All told, the Tigers posted a 608-382 edge in total yardage and notched 12 more first downs than their Coastal Division foes. Running back Wayne Gallman added 28 carries for 187 yards and a score to supplement Watson's offerings. 

The Tar Heels entered Saturday with the ACC's most potent offense on a points-per-game basis, but Clemson's defense clamped down on quarterback Marquise Williams. The senior gunslinger finished with 224 passing yards, 81 rushing yards, four touchdowns and an interception while completing 11 of 33 passes.  

Clemson's execution underwhelmed early, but the tide turned minutes into the second half. Following a Tar Heels turnover deep in Clemson territory, the Tigers marched 97 yards in 13 plays to take a 12-point lead and seize momentum.  

From that point on, Clemson's lead largely oscillated between 12 and 19 points, as North Carolina simply couldn't muster enough offense to generate a shocking comeback. However, the Tar Heels did close to within one score late before recovering an onside kick that was negated by an offsides penalty. 

By every statistical measure, Clemson dominated the first half. The Tigers outgained North Carolina 309-103 over the first two quarters and possessed the ball for twice as long during that span. 

Individually, Watson's figures were also stunning, according to the Greenville News' Scott Keepfer: 

But even though Watson was a statistical machine, he tallied 13 incompletions over the first 30 minutes. To put that number in perspective, he didn't tally more than 13 incompletions in either of Clemson's last three wins over South Carolina, Wake Forest and Syracuse. 

A one-yard touchdown pass before halftime smoothed things out a bit, but rhythm largely eluded Watson and Clemson's offense. The Tigers managed a meager five-point edge entering the locker room. 

ESPN.com's Andrea Adelson offered her take on the Tigers' sluggish start—which was marred by penalties and a failed fake punt attempt: 

But as was the case against Florida State, Clemson found its groove in the second half and shook off the cobwebs to remain perfect.  

Its College Football Playoff status won't be formally confirmed until Sunday afternoon, but Clemson has reigned supreme atop the CFP rankings for the past five weeks. In other words, the Tigers are locked into the top spot with no downward movement in sight.  

The conference crown will forever be a hallmark of Clemson's historic season, but Swinney and Co. won't settle for anything less than a national title.

Postgame Reaction

Sporting News' Matt Hayes caught up with UNC athletic director Bubba Cunningham to get his thoughts on the phantom offsides call: 

According to ESPN.com's Chris Low, the Tar Heels head coach was in complete agreement:

Andrew Carter of the News and Observer/Charlotte Observer provided the ACC's statement:

In the victors' locker room, Swinney praised his players for a job well done, per the program's official Twitter account:

"We're looking forward to a pizza party tomorrow in Death Valley," Swinney added, according to CBS Sports' Jon Solomon.