Clemson Rallies to Beat Ohio State in Orange Bowl Shootout
Tajh Boyd racked up an Orange Bowl-record 505 total yards and six touchdowns as No. 12 Clemson came back late to knock off the No. 7 Buckeyes, 40-35. Boyd rushed for a career-high 127 yards, including a 48-yard touchdown to open the game’s scoring. His 378 passing yards were the third-most in his storied career and he threw five touchdown passes for the seventh time.
The win wasn’t an easy one for the Tigers as Ohio State got a big night from their quarterback. Braxton Miller rushed for two touchdowns and passed for two more in leading the Buckeyes to nine-point second half lead. But, after Clemson had taken the lead with 6:16 to play, Miller turned the ball over twice in the game’s final four minutes to end any hopes for a comeback.
Tigers receiving star Sammy Watkins was the biggest beneficiary of Boyd’s big passing night, catching two touchdown passes and setting new Orange Bowl records with 16 receptions and 227 yards.
This was Ohio State’s first ever loss when scoring 35 or more points. The Buckeyes have now lost two in a row after winning their previous 24 straight. For Clemson, this was the Tigers’ first Orange Bowl victory since their national championship season in 1981.