Clemson Beats North Carolina After Controversial Offsides Penalty

No. 1 Clemson defeated No. 10 North Carolina 45-37 in an ACC title game that quickly became controversial for a disputed penalty.

With a minute left, the Tar Heels kicked a successful onside kick down eight. But the play was waved off due to an offsides call that doesn’t appear to have happened. UNC was forced to rekick, and the Tigers recovered it to ice the game.

“That was a blown call, obviously,” North Carolina wide receiver Ryan Switzer said after the game. “Anybody’s who seen the picture or the replay knows it was blown, but one play doesn’t lose you the game. Would have definitely liked to have gotten that. With our offense, we can score anywhere on the field. One minute with three timeouts would have been plenty of time. Frustrating, definitely, but it was a blown call.”

The ACC has doubled down, stating that the referees were lined up correctly and saw a North Carolina player cross the plane before the ball was kicked.

With a minute left and three timeouts, North Carolina would have had to score a touchdown and get the two point conversion to tie the game. It wasn’t automatic, but it would have been fun to see. But thanks to a blown call, it’s in the past now.

Clemson is undefeated on the season and will be the number one seed in the College Football playoff. North Carolina goes to 11-2 and will play in a bowl game.

This is not the first time ACC officials have messed up a critical play in the closing seconds. When Miami beat Duke on a last-second eight lateral touchdown, the ACC later admitted that the play should have never happened, and Duke should have won the game.

PHOTO: CHARLOTTE, NC – DECEMBER 05: Wayne Gallman #9 of the Clemson Tigers runs the ball against the North Carolina Tar Heels in the 2nd half during the Atlantic Coast Conference Football Championship at Bank of America Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)

Article by Matthew Enright