MIAMI GARDENS -- Ohio State and Clemson matched each other punch for punch during an entertaining Orange Bowl until the Tigers finally delivered the knockout blow.
It appeared Ohio State might run away with the Orange Bowl trophy after a surge that started in the second quarter and spilled into the third. However, Clemson quickly scored two touchdowns to take a 34-29 lead in the fourth quarter of the Orange Bowl.
The Buckeyes delivered a quick counter-punch to take a lead, but the Tigers likely delivered the final response by scoring late and forcing a pair of turnovers.
The game drew an announced crowd of 72,080. Clemson finished the back-and-forth affair with a dramatic 40-35 win.
Tajh Boyd helped Clemson race out to an early 7-0 lead at Sun Life Stadium. Boyd scored off what was officially listed as a 48-yard touchdown scamper. The extra point gave the Tigers an early 7-0 lead at the 12:50 mark in the first quarter.
After a slew of penalties helped extend Ohio State's first drive. Despite one penalty by the Buckeyes, Braxton Miller made the Tigers pay for their miscues.
The athletic dual-threat quarterback rushed for a 33-yard touchdown. With the extra point, Ohio State tied the game 7-7 at the 5:44 mark in the first quarter.
Boyd delivered a quick response, hitting Sammy Watkins for a 34-yard touchdown. With the extra point, the Tigers took a 14-7 lead at the 4:56 mark in the first quarter.
Ohio State's defense chipped in to help the Buckeyes, tackling Boyd in the end zone for a safety. It trimmed Clemson's lead to 14-9 at the 2:25 mark in the first quarter.
The Tigers countered with a scoring drive in the second quarter.
Boyd passed to Martavis Bryant for 3-yard touchdown. Clemson missed the extra point, making the score 20-9 at the 6:16 mark in the second quarter.
Ohio State picked up the pace again, this time with Miller hitting a wide open Jeff Heurman for a 57-yard touchdown. The Tigers blocked the extra point, making the score 20-15 Ohio State at the 3:39 mark in the second quarter.
Miller tacked on another score, this time rushing for a 3-yard touchdown. With the rare converted extra point by Drew Basil, the Buckeyes erased an early deficit and took a 22-20 lead at the 12 second mark in the second quarter.
Ohio State held onto the momentum early in the third quarter, mounting a long scoring drive capped by a 1-yard touchdown scamper by Carlos Hyde. With the extra point, the Buckeyes took a 29-20 lead at the 5:50 mark in the third quarter.
However, Clemson would rise up to change the momentum in the contest.
Boyd connected with Watkins for a 30-yard touchdown. With the extra point, it cut Ohio State's lead to 29-27.
On the next drive, Clemson's defense forced a turnover that would quickly set up a Boyd 3-yard touchdown pass to Martavis Bryant. The extra point pushed Clemson ahead 34-29 with 32 seconds left in the third quarter.
Watkins had 200 receiving yards through three quarters, a new Orange Bowl record.
In the fourth quarter, Miller found Hyde wide open in the end zone. Clemson was called for a penalty for taking a shot at Miller after he released the 14-yard touchdown pass. With the extra point, the Buckyes took the 35-34 lead at the 11:35 mark in the fourth quarter.
Clemson delivered the next blow, with Boyd passing to Stanton Seckinger for a 5-yard touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed, making the score 40-35 at the 6:16 mark in the fourth quarter.
The Tigers and Buckeyes traded turnovers late, with Clemson coughing up the ball to give Ohio State hope. However, one more Buckeyes interception would put the Tigers in a position to seal the win.
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