Clemson tops Ohio State in Orange Bowl, 40-35

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. (AP) — Tajh Boyd went out in style. Sammy Watkins probably played his finale as well. And Clemson even got to take a little swipe at rival South Carolina.

Two years ago, the Tigers limped out of the Orange Bowl.

This time around, they were all smiles, and with good reason.

Boyd threw for 378 yards and five touchdowns, Watkins had a record-setting night with 16 catches for 227 yards and two scores, and No. 12 Clemson rallied to beat No. 7 Ohio State 40-35 on Friday in the Orange Bowl – a game the Tigers lost by 37 points just two years ago.

”Two years ago we got our butts kicked on this field,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. ”And it has been a journey to get back. We’re 22-4 since that night. And we are the first team from the state of South Carolina to ever win a BCS game.”

Boyd’s 5-yard pass to Stanton Seckinger with 6:16 remaining put the Tigers (11-2) ahead to stay, despite allowing 20 consecutive points in wasting an early 11-point lead. Watkins became Clemson’s career receptions leader and set an Orange Bowl record for yardage, in what’s expected to be his last game before turning pro. Martavis Bryant caught two more TD passes for the Tigers, who posted consecutive 11-win seasons for the first time in school history.

”It’s a very special night,” Boyd said. ”Just the significance of this game, not for me particularly, not for this team particularly, but for this university … I couldn’t pick a better way to go out as a senior.”

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