Dec 1, 2018; Charlotte, NC, USA; Clemson Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney holds up the ACC Championship trophy after defeating the Pittsburgh Panthers in the ACC championship game at Bank of America Stadium. Photo Credit: Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports
The No. 2 Clemson Tigers became the first football team in Atlantic Coast Conference history to win four consecutive conference championship games, defeating the Coastal Division champion Pittsburgh Panthers, 42-10.
The Tigers scored first only 13 seconds into the game on a 75-yard run by Travis Etienne. Etienne finished the night with 156 yards and two touchdowns on only 12 carries. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence completed 12 of 24 pass attempts for 118 yards with a pair of touchdown tosses to Tee Higgins.
The Clemson defense, after giving up 510 yards passing last week to South Carolina, held Pitt to just eight passing yards for the entire game.
Following the game, Clemson Coach Dabo Sweeney had this to say about his team. “Just really, really amazing season. Proud of our team. 13-0. It’s just been a special year. It’s been a historic year. I mean, these guys, we always have our team goals. We sat down and we talked about some kind of goals within the goals. These guys have done an amazing job of working toward those things. Just unbelievable. I’ve never really been a part of a team like this.”
Clemson (13-0, CFP No. 2) will face third-ranked Notre Dame, which was idle Saturday, in the College Football Playoffs on Dec. 29.
Watch the postgame report here
