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 Quarterback Braxton Miller, after a strong start, was stopped when
it mattered most.
That, in essence was the story of the Orange Bowl game, a wild 40-35
upset win for the No. 12 Clemson Tigers over the No. 7 Ohio State
Buckeyes Friday night at Sun Life Stadium.
A senior playing his final college game, Boyd completed 30 of 39
passes for 370 yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions. He also
ran 20 times for 127 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown run up the
middle that was the longest of his career.
Watkins, a junior from near-by Fort Myers, Fla., was named the
game's MVP after he caught 16 passes and set an Orange Bowl
receiving record with 227 yards. He also scored two touchdowns.
"When you have a guy that has that much vertical speed, he is tough
to defend," Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said of Watkins. "I don't
know all the receivers in the country, but I would doubt there are
any better than him."
Watkins said Friday night's performance was easily explained.
"Tajh and I have been together for three years," he said. "We have
great chemistry."
Clemson improved to 11-2 for the second straight season, which is
the most wins in any two-year period in school history.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney said he was proud of his team, especially
after they took a 70-33 loss to West Virginia three years ago in the
Orange Bowl.
"You don't luck up and get to BCS games — you earn your way there,"
he said. "Two years ago, it was probably unthinkable for most people
after that butt-whipping we took (against West Virginia) that we
would be 22-4 since that night.
"Five years ago (when he took the Clemson job), I didn't have much
of a resume, and it wasn't very sexy to come to Clemson. These guys
believed in me, starting with Tajh Boyd. I sat at his kitchen table
in Virginia. I told him if you believe in me, we will change
Clemson. All these seniors changed Clemson."
Friday's winning touchdown was a five-yard toss from Boyd to tight
end Stanton Beckinger with 6:16 left in the fourth quarter. The
two-point conversion pass failed.
Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller was sacked — with a lost
fumble — and intercepted on the Buckeyes' final two possessions.
OSU (12-2) and Clemson traded touchdowns early in the third quarter.
The Buckeyes converted a fourth-and-one play with a 31-yard gain by
running back Carlos Hyde. On the next play, Hyde ran one yard for a
touchdown.
Clemson capitalized on a fumble by punt returner Philly Brown, which
was recovered by safety Robert Smith at the OSU 33. Three plays
later, Watkins went up and grabbed a 30-yard touchdown pass.
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Another OSU turnover — this time an interception by safety
Jayron Kearse — paved the way for Clemson to take a 34-29
third-quarter lead on a sensational three-yard touchdown grab by
wide receiver Martavis Bryant. He overcame pass interference
against OSU cornerback Armani Reeves and still made the juggling
catch. Reeves, starting in place of Bradley Roby, who was out
with a knee injury, was beaten by Bryant for two touchdowns on the
night.
Ohio State went up 35-34 on a 14-yard touchdown pass from Miller to
Hyde. Miller took a hit on the play and was removed from the game,
although he did return. Backup quarterback Kenny Guiton threw an
incomplete pass on the try for a two-point conversion.
"He got hit on his shoulder, but he is a fighter," Meyer said of
Miller. "I asked him (if he wanted to stay out), but he said he was
ready to go."
One of the keys for Clemson in the first half was its ability to
overcome an odd, 13-play, 75-yard touchdown drive by Ohio State.
Clemson sacked Miller and seemingly forced a punt on fourth and 23.
But defensive end Vic Beasley, who got the sack and made a gesture
that appeared to suggest he had a Superman outfit on underneath, was
whistled for unsportsmanlike penalty.
That gave Ohio State a first down. Later in the drive, faced with a
fourth and two at the Clemson 49, up-back Jeff Heuerman took the
punt snap and ran six yards for another first down, which led to
Miller's 33-yard touchdown run.
Clemson, though, needed just 48 seconds to respond, driving 75 yards
on four plays, capped by Boyd's 34-yard touchdown pass to Watkins,
who beat freshman safety Vonn Bell. Boyd made that throw despite
ending up on the turf after a hard hit by defensive end Joey Bosa.
Ohio State pulled to within 14-9 when Boyd was flagged in the end
zone for intentional grounding. Bosa, who again pressured Boyd, was
credited with the safety.
Clemson went up 20-9 on a three-yard touchdown pass to Bryant. The
extra-point try was no good.
Ohio State rallied when Miller passed 57 yards for a touchdown to
Heuerman. The Buckeyes went into halftime leading 22-20 when Miller
scored on a three-yard run up the middle with 12 seconds left in the
second quarter. NOTES: Clemson hadn't blocked a kick all season until Friday. ...
Game-time temperature was a cool — for Miami — 62 degrees. ...
Entering the bowls, Ohio State's Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde were
the most productive QB-RB combo in the nation this season with 2,441
yards and 24 touchdowns rushing. ... Clemson's defense led the
nation in tackles for losses. ... Ohio State starting DE Noah Spence
served the first of a three-game suspension for violating an
unspecified conference rule.
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