ACC: Watson, Clemson outscore Virginia Tech

Watson leads Tigers past Virginia Tech and, most likely, to another College Football Playoff berth.

Quarterback passes for three touchdowns, runs for two to lead Tigers.

ORLANDO, Fla. — Deshaun Watson bolstered his Heisman Trophy candidacy by passing for three touchdowns and running for two more to lead third-ranked Clemson to a 42-35 victory over No. 23 Virginia Tech in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game Saturday night.

Winning consecutive league titles for the first time in 28 years likely will send the Tigers (12-1) back to the four-team College Football Playoff for the second straight year, providing Watson with an opportunity to resolve unfinished business from last January, when his team lost to Alabama in the national championship game.

The Clemson star completed 23 of 34 passes for 288 yards, including touchdowns of 21 and 10 yards to Jordan Leggett and 15 yards to Hunter Renfrow for a 42-28 lead midway through the fourth quarter. He also rushed for 85 yards in 17 attempts.

The Tigers have won back-toback ACC titles for the first time since winning three straight from 1986-88.

Watson’s Virginia Tech counterpart, Jerod Evans, was just as impressive. The 6-foot-3, 238pound quarterback ran for two touchdowns and rallied the Hokies from a 21-point deficit to make it close at the end.

The Hokies (9-4) scored on three straight possessions, trimming what was once a 35-14 deficit to seven points on Evans’ fiveyard run early in the fourth quarter and Cam Phillips’ 26-yard touchdown reception with just under six minutes remaining.

Virginia Tech got the ball back with a chance to force overtime. Evans drove his team to the Clemson 23, where the drive stalled when Tigers cornerback Cordrea Tankersley intercepted a pass on fourth and six.