On This Date: 2011 (9)Clemson- 31 Wake Forest- 28

Nov 12, 2019, 8:29 AM

11/12/2011
Clemson, SC

Catanzaro's late FG gives Clemson ACC Atlantic Division Title, lifts Clemson over Wake 31-28

CLEMSON, S.C. — Chandler Catanzaro kicked a 43-yard field goal as time expired and No. 9 Clemson rallied from 14 points down in the second half to defeat Wake Forest 31-28 and clinch the ACC Atlantic Division title on Saturday.

Catanzaro had missed a 30-yard attempt 2 minutes before his game-winner for the Tigers (9-1, 6-1 Atlantic Coast Conference). However, Clemson's defense quickly got the ball back for one last drive. This time, Catanzaro's attempt was straight and true and sent the Tigers to the ACC title game for the second time in three years. Catanzaro was mobbed by teammates as fans swarmed the field in celebration.

The Tigers, 7-0 at home this year, completed their first perfect season at Death Valley since 1990 and next weekend will face North Carolina State with a chance to reach 10 wins for the first time since 1991. Tajh Boyd overcame a poor outing with two touchdown passes after Wake Forest (5-5, 4-3) had taken a 28-21 lead. Andre Ellington rushed for 98 yards and two touchdowns for the Tigers. Boyd finished with 343 yards passing, 141 of that in the final quarter during Clemson's comeback. Wake Forest would've controlled the ACC Atlantic with a victory and stunned the Tigers with 21 points in the third quarter to take a 28-14 lead.

Michael Campanaro began the Demon Deacons' charge with a 50-yard punt return. Two plays later, Wake Forest had the ball again after Ellington's fumble was recovered by linebacker Joey Ehrmann. It took Brandon Pendergrass two plays to break off a 19-yard touchdown run and put the Demon Deacons ahead.

Boyd was intercepted moments later on Clemson's next series by safety Josh Bush and Pendergrass again made the Tigers pay with a 33-yard scoring run and a two-touchdown lead.
That's when Boyd, Clemson's first-year starter who led an 8-0 start to the season, showed the form he's had most of the season. He was 5 of 5 on a 68-yard drive which ended with Brandon Ford's 7-yard scoring catch.

The Tigers tied it with 5:27 to go on Jaron Brown's 10-yard touchdown grab, a series on which Boyd completed six passes for 64 yards.
Wake Forest had its chances to build on its lead down the stretch, but Jimmy Newman missed left on a 32-yard field goal attempt with 8:45 to go.

Pendergrass rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns, while Campanaro had nine catches for the Demon Deacons.

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On This Date: 2011 (9)Clemson- 31 Wake Forest- 28

I just bought ACCCG tickets the night before. I actually

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