2009 championship football game

Georgia Tech's offense returned to the field at that point and began driving down the field. In two plays, Tech passed the yard line. In six more, it penetrated the Clemson yard line. Once there, however, the Yellow Jackets' drive stalled. Three consecutive penalties against Georgia Tech pushed the Yellow Jackets back 20 yards, and Tech was unable to score a touchdown or gain a first down after that setback.

Kicker Blair again returned to the field and scored a yard field goal. With remaining in the first half, Georgia Tech extended its lead to 13—7. Clemson's offense returned to the field at its yard line after Georgia Tech's kickoff and a yard return by C. During the ensuing drive, Spiller was the key player for the Tigers. On five consecutive plays, he received the ball during rushing plays.

He gained 3, 13, 6, 2, and 41 yards, respectively, on each of these plays en route to the end zone and a touchdown. Clemson attempted a two-point conversion , but the try failed and the Tigers simply tied the Yellow Jackets, 13— Georgia Tech's offense began the final drive of the first half with remaining. The Yellow Jackets started from their yard line and began slowly: Their first play gained no yards, and their second gained eight before a fumble that was recovered by a fellow Yellow Jacket.

A short running play gained three yards, enough for a first down, and the drive continued. Consecutive rushing plays gained few yards at a time, and Georgia Tech used its timeouts to stop the game clock and prevent time from running out in the half. A yard pass interference penalty pushed Georgia Tech inside the Clemson yard line, and kicker Blair again converted a field goal. The successful kick gave Georgia Tech a 16—13 lead heading into halftime. Because Clemson received the ball to begin the game, Georgia Tech received the ball to begin the second half.

Chris Tanner returned the kickoff to the Tech yard line, and the Yellow Jackets began the first offensive drive of the half. Jones opened the drive with a yard run, then the Yellow Jackets converted a fourth down to continue down the field. Six plays after the fourth-down conversion, Tech quarterback Nesbitt ran into the end zone for a touchdown. The following extra point gave Tech a 23—13 lead with remaining.

Clemson fielded the following kickoff, and its offense continued with the success it found in its final drive of the first half. As in that drive, C. Spiller was a key performer. Clemson's drive began at its yard line, and it took just five plays for the Tigers to score a touchdown.

Four of those plays, including the culminating one, came from Spiller, who covered 40 yards during them. Spiller's touchdown cut Georgia Tech's lead to 23— But as quickly as Clemson scored, Georgia Tech moved even more quickly.

From its yard line, the Yellow Jackets needed only three plays, the keystone coming on a yard throw from Nesbitt to Thomas for a touchdown. With remaining in the quarter, the Yellow Jackets restored the point margin, 30— Beginning from their yard line after a kickoff, Clemson attempted to again cut into Tech's lead.

The Tigers, again guided by the running offense of Spiller and Jamie Harper, advanced to the yard line, where Parker's passing attack took over. Parker completed two passes before Georgia Tech defender Jerrard Tarrant ran in front of a long throw downfield.

He intercepted Parker's pass and returned it 50 yards to the Clemson 28, where Tech's offense began anew. Despite the good field position, Tech was unable to gain a first down but still was within range of a yard field goal from Blair, who extended the Yellow Jackets' lead to 33— With time running out in the third quarter, Clemson's offense entered the field of play at its yard line.

After a five-yard penalty for delay of game , the Tigers' Andre Ellington gained 41 yards on two plays, pushing into Georgia Tech territory. Those plays all but exhausted the quarter's remaining moments, however, and the third quarter ended with Georgia Tech still leading, 33— The fourth quarter began with Clemson in possession of the ball and facing second and nine from the Georgia Tech yard line.

The Tigers' first two plays of the quarter failed to gain a first down, setting up a critical fourth-down conversion opportunity for them. Rather than attempt a field goal, the Tigers attempted to gain a first down and were successful as Parker completed a seven-yard throw. Though Georgia Tech sacked Parker on a subsequent play, the yardage loss was offset by a pass interference penalty against the Yellow Jackets. One play after the penalty, Spiller ran nine yards for a touchdown.

It and the subsequent extra point cut Georgia Tech's lead to 33—27 with 12 minutes remaining in the game. With a solid lead and time running down in the game, Georgia Tech began a sequence of running plays intended to keep the game clock running while gaining ground.

From their yard line, the Yellow Jackets gained 38 yards on seven plays, advancing into Clemson territory in the process.

Facing fourth down at the Clemson yard line, the Yellow Jackets attempted to gain a first down rather than kick a long field goal. When they were stopped short of the first-down line, Clemson's offense returned to the field. Spiller again drove the Tigers down the field, opening the drive with a yard run on its first play. Three plays later, Ellington capitalized the drive with a one-yard run for a tying touchdown. The following extra point gave Clemson a one-point lead, 34—33, with remaining in the game.

Clemson's post-touchdown kickoff was returned to the Tech yard line, where the Yellow Jackets began their game-winning drive. The offense began slowly; Georgia Tech gained only nine yards in three plays, setting up a crucial fourth-down conversion.

A failed try would give Clemson the ball deep in Georgia Tech territory, with little time remaining in the game for Georgia Tech to reply to any score. Instead, the Yellow Jackets converted the fourth down, keeping their drive alive. On the first play after the fourth-down conversion, Nesbitt completed a yard pass to Dwyer, pushing Tech to near midfield. Eight plays later, Dwyer breached the Clemson defense for a yard gain and the go-ahead score.

A false start penalty on Georgia Tech's two-point conversion try prevented any extra points, but the touchdown's six points were enough to give Georgia Tech a 39—34 lead. Clemson received Georgia Tech's kickoff with remaining in the game. On the Tigers' first play, they committed a yard penalty.

Two incomplete passes followed from Parker, who then completed an yard throw to Xavier Dye. This set up a fourth-and-two for the Tigers, who needed to gain a first down to keep their potential game-winning drive going. Instead, Parker was stymied in his attempt to run for the needed yards, and Clemson turned the ball over on downs. Georgia Tech's offense ran out the remaining seconds on the clock and ensured their 39—34 victory. In recognition of his performance despite a losing effort, Clemson running back C.

Spiller set several ACC Championship game records: most yards, most yards per carry, most touchdowns, and longest run from scrimmage. The Yellow Jackets' Jonathan Dwyer had rushing yards and two touchdowns, while Josh Nesbitt rushed for yards and one touchdown. As quarterback, Georgia Tech's Josh Nesbitt was the top performer. In addition to his rushing performance, Nesbitt completed 9 of 16 pass attempts for yards and one touchdown.

On the opposite side of the field, Clemson's Kyle Parker was successful on 10 of his 17 pass attempts for 91 yards, but also had two interceptions, the game's only turnovers. Georgia Tech's win brought it to a record of 11—2, [66] while Clemson's loss dropped it to 8—5. In that game, the Iowa Hawkeyes defeated the Yellow Jackets, 24— Full Site Menu Return to Top. Heisman Trophy Winners: D. Henry , B. Sanders , R. Williams , T. Dorsett , T. All-Americans: A.

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