UNC vs. Clemson in ACC Championship live updates: Tigers take out Tar Heels, 39-10

C.L. Brown, Chapel Fowler
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Live updates for this event have ended. For a game recap, click here.

Good evening and welcome to live coverage of the ACC Championship at Bank of America Stadium in Uptown Charlotte.

UNC, ranked No. 24 in the AP Top 25 poll, is 9-3 overall and 6-2 in the ACC. The Tar Heels lost to N.C. State, 30-27, in double overtime last Friday.

Clemson, ranked No. 10 in the AP Top 25 poll, is 10-2 overall and 8-0 in the ACC. The Tigers are coming off a 31-30 loss to South Carolina last Saturday.

The News & Observer, The Charlotte Observer and The State have a team of journalists covering the event, and will be posting live updates and analysis from the venue throughout the evening. Refresh often for the latest information.

North Carolina coach Mack Brown talks with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney prior to the ACC Championship game on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina coach Mack Brown talks with Clemson coach Dabo Swinney prior to the ACC Championship game on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Shipley TD run: Clemson 39, UNC 10. 3Q

Brannon Spector’s 43-yard reception set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Will Shipley.

Wiggins INT return: Clemson 32, UNC 10. 3Q

Drake Maye’s pass intended for tight end John Copenhaver was intercepted by Nate Wiggins and returned 98 yards for a touchdown. The possession was Carolina’s fourth in the red zone and third that ended without a touchdown.

Potter FG: Clemson 24, UNC 10. 2Q

On the final play of the first half, B.T. Potter kicked a 52-yard field goal, the longest in ACC championship game history, to give the Tigers a two touchdown lead.

Clemson’s Cade Mukuba (1) works to stop North Carolina’s Josh Downs after an 11-yard gain on a pass reception from Drake Maye in the second quarter on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
Clemson’s Cade Mukuba (1) works to stop North Carolina’s Josh Downs after an 11-yard gain on a pass reception from Drake Maye in the second quarter on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Burnette FG: UNC 10, Clemson 21. 2Q

Carolina again marched to the red zone and failed to get into the end zone. But this time, Noah Burnette made good on a 25-yard field goal with 1:20 left in the first half.

Klubnik TD run: Clemson 21, UNC 7. 2Q

Klubnik completed a 68-yard completion to Cole Turner to set up Klubnik’s 1-yard scoring run. The Tigers have scored on three straight possessions.

Burnette FG blocked

Carolina came up empty on a 17-play drive when Noah Burnette’s 31-yard field goal attempt was blocked by Clemson’s Nate Wiggins.

North Carolina’s Jahvaree Ritzie (5) pressures Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) in the second quarter during the ACC Championship game on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina’s Jahvaree Ritzie (5) pressures Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) in the second quarter during the ACC Championship game on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Mafah TD run: Clemson 14, UNC 7. 1Q

Clemson took advantage of a Drake Maye fumble for a 40-second drive and completed by Phil Mafah’s 4-yard scoring run.

Allen TD catch: Clemson 7, UNC 7. 1Q

Quarterback Cade Klubnik got the desired result directing a nine-play drive 71 yards for a score. Klubnik’s 1-yard touchdown pass to tight end Davis Allen made him 5-for-5 passing on the drive for 50 yards.

Clemson makes QB change

Clemson benched starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei and replaced him with freshman backup Cade Klubnik after the Tigers started the game with consecutive three and outs.

This is the earliest Klubnik, a former five-star recruit, has come into a game in relief of Uiagalelei this season. He previously subbed in for Uiagalelei, a junior, in the second half of Clemson’s Oct. 22 win against Syracuse and Nov. 5 loss at Notre Dame.

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) and his teammates react after scoring a touchdown on a three-yard run in the first quarter during the ACC Championship game against Clemson on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) and his teammates react after scoring a touchdown on a three-yard run in the first quarter during the ACC Championship game against Clemson on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Maye TD run: UNC 7, Clemson 0. 1Q

Drake Maye scored on a 3-yard run to cap off an 11-play, 78-yard drive. The key play was a 25-yard completion to tight end Kamari Morales that moved the ball into the red zone.

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) and his teammates react after scoring a touchdown on a three-yard run in the first quarter during the ACC Championship game against Clemson on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) and his teammates react after scoring a touchdown on a three-yard run in the first quarter during the ACC Championship game against Clemson on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

UNC injury report

Carolina’s secondary will be a bit less experienced as both senior safety Cam’Ron Kelly and junior cornerback Storm Duck are out with injuries suffered last week in the loss to N.C. State. Starting in their place will likely be sophomore Lejond Cavazos at corner and either freshman Will Hardy or senior Don Chapman at safety.

Clemson injury report

All of the players listed on Clemson’s two-deep depth chart earlier this week are dressed for the ACC championship game, per the school.

Clemson lost starting wide receiver Beaux Collins (shoulder) and starting left guard Marcus Tate (knee) to season-ending injuries earlier this month.

Among longer term injuries that aren’t season-ending: wide receiver/punt returner Will Taylor (knee) is dressed for the ACC title game. Safety Tyler Venables (hamstring) and cornerback Fred Davis II (ankle) aren’t dressed.

North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) and his teammates arrive for the ACC Championship game against Clemson on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
North Carolina quarterback Drake Maye (10) and his teammates arrive for the ACC Championship game against Clemson on Saturday, December 3, 2022 at Bank of American Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.

Weather or not

After a gloomy day weather-wise, the evening is shaping up to be a football traditionalists’ dream, with temperatures dropping through the 50s and into 40s throughout the night under mostly cloudy skies, but it looks like the precipitation has moved out of the region.

How to watch

Start time: 8 p.m.

Location: Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina

TV: ABC

Commentators (scheduled): Sean McDonough (play-by-play), Todd Blackledge (analyst) and Molly McGrath (sideline reporter).

Online live stream: ESPN.com

Online radio broadcast: Goheels.com

AM/FM radio broadcast: ESPN Radio