Clemson nation still waits for ACC title after 18 years

TAMPA, Fla.-- When former Clemson coach Ken Hatfield was showered in Gatorade at Death Valley as the Tigers sealed up an ACC title against Maryland in November of 1991, it seemed Clemson was firmly entrenched atop the ACC hierarchy. After all, the Tigers had worn five ACC crowns in the 1980s and won a national title a decade earlier.

After 18 years, Clemson Nation is still waiting.

On a cool night in Tampa, Clemson lost a fourth-quarter lead for the second time this season against Georgia Tech en route to 39-34 loss.

Clemson (8-5) thought it had secured a Gatorade bath for Swinney when Da'Quan Bowers - who had a career-high in tackles - crashed the middle of the line on a fourth-and-1 play to stop Josh Nesbitt. On the following drive, a long Spiller run set up 1-yard Andre Ellington score to give Clemson a 34-33 lead with 6:11 to play.

It was the one drive Spiller didn't cap.

His four touchdowns broke Travis Zachery's single-season touchdown record, giving him 20 for the season.

"They taught me a lot about never giving up," Spiller said of his teammates.

Spiller's first score, a 6-yard run gave Clemson a 7-0 lead. His, second scoring run tied the game. His third and fourth kept Clemson in the game, each bringing the Tigers to within a score.

Each time breaking to the outside and outrunning Georgia Tech defensive backs.

While Paul Johnson couldn't solve Spiller, Clemson couldn't solve Johnson's triple-option offense.

After overcoming the initial shock of a 24-0 deficit in the first meeting, Clemson had responded by scoring 27 consecutive points, forcing the Georgia Tech offense to punt on six straight possessions. Neither team punted Saturday.

"They didn't stop us," Swinney said. "But couldn't get the ball enough, and we had a couple turnovers.'"

The Yellow Jackets led the ACC in scoring and rushing. And had rushed for 301 yards in the first meeting.

Georgia Tech again topped 300 yards, including a five-minute, 13-play, 86-yard drive capped by Dwyer's 15-yard rush to give Tech the final lead change with 1:20 to play.

The Yellow Jackets again perplexed with the fullback dive, quarterback option. Nesbitt and Dwyer each eclipsed 100 yards.

And Georgia Tech converted 11-18 on third-down conversions.

Georgia Tech's most important third-down conversation was a 70-yard touchdown pass to Thomas who made Crezdon Butler bite on a route. It was only the second pass targeted for Thomas in the game to give Tech a 30-20 lead with five minutes to play in the third.

The Yellow Jackets also made a stellar defensive adjustment.

The Parker-to-Spiller wheel route had hurt opponents all season - including four touchdowns of at least 36 yards and one coming against Georgia Tech earlier this season.

The Tigers tried to hit the wheel route late in the third quarter.

Parker forced the ball in double coverage as Georgia Tech bracketed Spiller with a safety over the top. Parker missed Jacoby Ford who was wide open on the far sideline.

Yellow Jackets safety Jerrard Tarrant returned the second Parker interception 50 yards deep into Clemson territory where a 40-yard field goal gave Tech a 33-20 lead late in the third.

It was a stop Clemson couldn't afford, again falling one play short.

"We've come a long way," Swinney said. "This is our standard, this is our expectation. ... Hopefully we'll grow from this."

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