NO. 9 CLEMSON 39, NO. 23 NORTH CAROLINA 10

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Backup quarterback Cade Klubnik completed 20 of 24 passes for 279 yards and a touchdown and ran for another score and Clemson beat North Carolina to reclaim the Atlantic Coast Conference championship.

Cornerback Nate Wiggins broke up two passes in the end zone, blocked a field goal and returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown to help the Tigers win their seventh ACC title in eight seasons.

Clemson (11-2) won six consecutive ACC championships from 2015 to 2020 before failing to reach the title game last season. But Coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers rebounded in a big way, going 9-0 against ACC foes this season to reach the Orange Bowl.

With Clemson down 7-0, Swinney benched two-year starter D.J. Uiagalelei after the Tigers failed to pick up a first down on their first two possessions, Swinney turned to Klubnik, a 5-star recruit from Austin, Texas. He responded by leading the Tigers to four consecutive scores and a 24-10 lead at halftime. Clemson stretched it to 39-10 heading into the fourth quarter.

ACC player of the year Drake Maye was limited to 268 yards passing and turned the ball over three times for North Carolina (9-4).