CHAPEL HILL – Clemson scored 35 first-half points and never looked back, defeating North Carolina 38-10 on Saturday afternoon at Kenan Stadium. The Tigers improved to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in conference play, while the Tar Heels dropped to 2-3 and 0-1.

The visitors wasted no time establishing control. On the game's opening drive, quarterback Antonio Williams connected with T.J. Moore for a 75-yard touchdown pass just 11 seconds into the contest. The one-play, 11-second drive set the tone for an afternoon that would see Clemson's passing attack overwhelm the Tar Heels' secondary.

North Carolina answered with its only sustained drive of the first half, marching 58 yards over 10 plays to set up Rece Verhoff's 35-yard field goal. The 7-3 score represented the closest the Tar Heels would come the rest of the afternoon.

Cade Klubnik took over under center for Clemson and orchestrated three touchdown drives before halftime. He found Adam Randall for a 35-yard score to cap a three-play, 75-yard drive that took just 68 seconds. Later in the quarter, Klubnik hit Christian Bentancur for 45 yards and another touchdown, extending the lead to 21-3. With one second remaining in the first quarter, Klubnik and Randall connected again, this time from 23 yards out, pushing the advantage to 28-3.

The second quarter featured more of the same. Clemson drove 37 yards in six plays, with Klubnik finding Bentancur for an 8-yard touchdown with 2:02 left in the half. The Tigers took a commanding 35-3 lead into the locker room, effectively ending any suspense about the outcome.

Klubnik finished 22-of-24 passing for 254 yards and four touchdowns without an interception. His efficiency was remarkable, completing nearly 92 percent of his attempts and averaging 10.6 yards per completion. Williams, who started the game, was perfect on his lone attempt for 75 yards and a score.

North Carolina quarterback Max Johnson completed 26 of 42 passes for 213 yards but failed to throw a touchdown. The Tar Heels' passing game managed just 5.1 yards per attempt compared to Clemson's 10.2, a disparity that defined the game's flow.

Randall emerged as Clemson's most versatile weapon. He caught four passes for 73 yards and two touchdowns while also contributing 30 yards on eight rushing attempts. Moore led all receivers with 108 yards on five catches, with his opening touchdown accounting for most of that production.

The third quarter passed without any scoring, as both offenses stalled. Clemson punted once and converted a 14-play drive into a field goal attempt that set up the fourth quarter scoring. North Carolina attempted a 50-yard field goal by Verhoff that sailed wide, one of the few times the Tar Heels ventured into Tiger territory during the second half.

Clemson added to its lead early in the fourth quarter when Nolan Hauser connected on a 27-yard field goal, capping a 14-play, 55-yard drive that consumed 5:20 of clock. The field goal came after the Tigers moved from their own 36 to the North Carolina 9-yard line before the drive stalled.

North Carolina's only touchdown came with 10:25 remaining when Benjamin Hall powered in from 11 yards out. The score completed a five-play, 75-yard drive that took 2:55, but by then Clemson led 38-3 and had inserted backup quarterback Christopher Vizzina into the game.

The Tigers' defense held North Carolina to 270 total yards, including just 57 on the ground. The Tar Heels averaged 3.2 yards per rush on 18 attempts, never establishing the ground game necessary to keep drives alive. North Carolina converted just two of 11 third-down attempts and failed on its only fourth-down try.

Clemson's offensive balance kept the Tar Heels' defense off-balance throughout. The Tigers accumulated 488 total yards, distributing the ball to 14 different receivers. Bentancur caught two passes for 53 yards and two scores, while Bryant Wesco Jr. added 42 yards on two receptions.

Defensively, Jaiden Patterson led North Carolina with six solo tackles, while Khmori House contributed seven total tackles with two unassisted. For Clemson, Tyler Venables and Sammy Brown each recorded five tackles, with Brown adding half a tackle for loss.

Key Performances

Clemson:

• Cade Klubnik: 22-of-24 passing, 254 yards, 4 TDs
• T.J. Moore: 5 receptions, 108 yards, 1 TD
• Adam Randall: 4 receptions, 73 yards, 2 TDs; 8 rushes, 30 yards
• Christian Bentancur: 2 receptions, 53 yards, 2 TDs

North Carolina:

• Max Johnson: 26-of-42 passing, 213 yards
• Benjamin Hall: 5 rushes, 24 yards, 1 TD; 1 reception, 14 yards
• Jordan Shipp: 5 receptions, 41 yards
• Jaiden Patterson: 6 solo tackles

CHARLOTTE – In a championship game that will be remembered for its heart-stopping finale, Clemson secured the ACC Football Championship with a dramatic 56-yard field goal by kicker Nolan Hauser as time expired, defeating SMU 34-31 in a rocking Bank of America Stadium that witnessed an instant classic.

The game was a rollercoaster of momentum shifts, with both teams trading blows in a contest that seemed destined to be decided in its final moments. Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik emerged as the game's defining player, throwing for 262 yards and four touchdowns, while SMU's Kevin Jennings matched him with a gutsy 310-yard, three-touchdown performance that nearly carried his team to victory.

Photo Courtesy of the Atlantic Coast Confernce

Clemson started the game with lightning speed, scoring on its first two possessions and quickly building a 14-0 lead. Klubnik connected with tight end Bryant Wesco Jr. for a 35-yard touchdown on the Tigers' opening drive after an SMU fumble, then found Wesco again for a 43-yard scoring strike that seemed to put the game out of reach early.

But SMU refused to surrender. Quarterback Kevin Jennings orchestrated a pivotal 75-yard drive late in the first quarter, punctuated by his 24-yard rushing touchdown that breathed life into the Mustangs and cut the deficit to 14-7.

The first half continued as a showcase of offensive firepower, with Clemson extending its lead to 24-7 before SMU began to mount a comeback in the second half. Jennings, showing remarkable resilience, led his team back into contention. His 10-yard touchdown pass to Brashard Smith in the third quarter brought SMU within ten points, signaling the start of a dramatic fourth quarter.

With just over 13 minutes remaining, Jennings connected with Matthew Hibner for a 20-yard touchdown, pulling SMU to within 31-24. A subsequent field goal by Collin Rogers cut the lead to just four points, setting the stage for a breathtaking finish.

The game's final moments were a testament to the unpredictability of championship football. With just 16 seconds remaining, Jennings found Roderick Daniels Jr. for a 4-yard touchdown that seemingly pushed the game to overtime, tying the score at 31-31.

But Clemson had other plans. The Tigers' special teams unit and kicker Nolan Hauser would have the final say. An outstanding 61-yard kickoff return by Adam Randall got the Tigers across midfield. On the game's last play, the Charlotte native launched a remarkable 56-yard field goal that sailed through the uprights as time expired, giving Clemson a 34-31 victory and the ACC Championship.

"I mean, what a kick. I think it's the longest game-winning kick in Clemson history," Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said after the game. "I've been a part of some big ones, obviously the Catanzaro kick against LSU with two seconds on the clock and then this kick right here, I've been a part of some big ones. But that was huge, the protection, the snap, the hold, everything. And when he hit it, I went, oh, man. We were talking about overtime, trying to get our overtime plan ready to go, what we were going to do there, but as soon as he hit it and it cleared the line, I went, this thing has got a chance, and it just goes through. I'm just so happy for Nolan, right here, Charlotte kid, a freshman, and those are the type of things that -- those are the type of wins that really propel you."

Statistically, the game told a story of Clemson's balanced attack and resilience. The Tigers outgained SMU 458 to 326 yards, with a powerful rushing performance of 148 yards. Klubnik's four touchdown passes came without a single interception, while Bryant Wesco Jr. emerged as a key playmaker with eight receptions for 143 yards and two touchdowns.

For SMU, Jennings was nothing short of heroic. Despite the loss, he completed 32 of 51 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns, adding a crucial 35 yards on the ground. Roderick Daniels Jr. led the receiving corps with eight catches for 97 yards, keeping the Mustangs competitive throughout the contest.

The game's defensive battle was equally compelling. Clemson's defense, led by Sammy Brown's 14 total tackles, created crucial stops and one interception. SMU's defense, anchored by Kobe Wilson's 15 total tackles, fought hard but couldn't completely contain Klubnik and the Clemson offense.

In the end, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney secured another championship, adding to his legacy of postseason success. The victory showcased the Tigers' ability to perform under pressure and their status as a perennial contender in college football's highest echelons. "It's fun to be a part of it, and it never gets old. But really happy for all those guys, all the way back, every single one, from the Dandy Dozen to this year's freshmen. They've all won a championship. But we've done it, again, by fulfilling the purpose that we've set out to do," Swinney mentioned after the game.

For SMU and head coach Rhett Lashlee, the loss was heartbreaking but not without merit. Their performance proved they belonged on this stage, pushing the conference’s best team of the last decade to the absolute limit in a game that will be discussed for years to come. "We have good players, but the secret sauce is they're a true team. I've said it. It's real. You feel it. That's why it hurts when they lose because they do everything the right way. They work hard. They trust each other. They love each other. They compete with each other. They have each other's back. They don't blame other people when they make a mistake. There's no finger-pointing," Lashlee said postgame. "They're just a true team. That's why I think they respond so well to everything. They'll respond well to this. They're hurting right now, but they'll respond well to this just like they did tonight coming back. I just think it's a special group. I've said it all year, it's been really, really fun to coach them, and I hope we're not done."

As the fireworks sparkled in the Charlotte skyline and Clemson celebrated, the ACC Championship game lived up to its billing – a thrilling, unpredictable contest decided in the most dramatic fashion possible, with Nolan Hauser's foot writing the final chapter of an unforgettable championship story.

Both teams played playoff-worthy football on Saturday night and will await their fate with the College Football Playoff committee on Sunday afternoon.

WINSTON-SALEM – After a brief early deficit, the Clemson Tigers roared their way to a commanding 49-14 victory over Wake Forest at Allegacy Federal Credit Union Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The win improves Clemson to 5-1 (4-0 ACC) while Wake Forest falls to 2-4 (1-2 ACC).

Quarterback Cade Klubnik led an explosive Tigers offense that accumulated 566 total yards, completing 31 of 41 passes for 309 yards and three touchdowns. The balanced Clemson attack also featured running back Phil Mafah, who rushed for 118 yards and two touchdowns on 20 carries.

Despite Wake Forest striking first on a 31-yard touchdown pass from Heisman Bachmeier to Horatio Fields late in the opening quarter, Clemson responded with an overwhelming offensive surge. The Tigers scored 28 points in the second quarter alone, effectively putting the game out of reach before halftime.

Tight end Jake Briningstool emerged as Klubnik's favorite target, hauling in seven receptions for 104 yards and a touchdown. Tyler Stellato and Antonio Williams also contributed significantly in the passing game, each securing touchdown receptions as part of Clemson's aerial assault.

The Tigers' defense matched the offense's intensity, limiting Wake Forest to just 233 total yards and forcing two crucial interceptions. Linebacker Wade Woodaz led the defensive effort with six tackles and a sack, while the secondary consistently disrupted the Demon Deacons' passing game, holding them to just 146 yards through the air.

Wake Forest's offense struggled to find consistency after their opening touchdown drive. Bachmeier finished 12-of-21 for 126 yards with two touchdowns but also threw two costly interceptions that Clemson converted into 14 points. The Demon Deacons' ground game was similarly contained, managing just 87 yards on 28 attempts.

The Tigers' dominance was perhaps most evident in their control of the clock, possessing the ball for over 36 minutes while converting 7 of 11 third-down attempts. This sustained offensive execution allowed Clemson to wear down the Wake Forest defense, which faced 85 total plays.

The victory maintains Clemson's perfect conference record and positions them firmly in the ACC title race. The Tigers' balanced offensive attack and stifling defense suggest they've hit their stride at a crucial point in the season.

For Wake Forest, the loss represents their fourth defeat in six games, raising questions about their bowl eligibility prospects with half the season remaining. The Demon Deacons will need to regroup quickly as they travel to take on UConn before continuing their conference schedule.

CLEMSON – The 22nd-ranked Clemson Tigers made a resounding statement against Appalachian State, known for its power-conference upsets, with a commanding 66-20 victory at Memorial Stadium on Saturday night. This lopsided win came as a stark contrast to Clemson's season-opening 34-3 loss to top-ranked Georgia, where they had trailed 6-0 at halftime.

Clemson's offense was nearly unstoppable, particularly in the first half. The Tigers scored touchdowns on all eight of their first-half possessions, building an insurmountable 56-13 lead by halftime. Quarterback Cade Klubnik orchestrated the offensive onslaught with near-perfect execution, completing an impressive 24 of 26 passes for 378 yards and five touchdowns.

The fireworks started early for Clemson. On just the third play of the game, Klubnik connected with Bryant Wesco Jr. for a 76-yard touchdown pass on a third-and-11 situation. This explosive play set the tone for the rest of the game, as the Tigers' offense continued to fire on all cylinders.

Clemson's ground game was equally effective, with running back Phil Mafah leading the charge. Mafah rushed for 118 yards and a touchdown on just 10 carries, including a spectacular 83-yard touchdown run. The Tigers' balanced attack kept the Appalachian State defense off-balance throughout the game.

Jake Briningstool was Klubnik's favorite target, hauling in seven receptions for 100 yards and two touchdowns. Bryant Wesco Jr., despite having only three catches, made the most of his opportunities with 130 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Appalachian State's offense, which had shown promise in their previous outings against power-conference opponents, struggled to find rhythm against Clemson's stifling defense. Quarterback Joey Aguilar managed to throw for 213 yards and one touchdown but couldn't generate enough consistent offense to keep pace with Clemson's scoring barrage.

The Mountaineers' ground game, typically a strength, was largely contained. Anderson Castle led Appalachian State's rushing attack with 80 yards and a touchdown on seven carries, providing a rare bright spot for the visitors' offense.

Appalachian State showed signs of life in the second quarter when Castle scored on a 4-yard touchdown run, cutting into the deficit at 42-7. Kicker Michael Hughes added two field goals before halftime, extending his streak of consecutive made field goals to 14. However, these efforts proved insufficient against Clemson's relentless offense.

The Mountaineers opened the second half with a touchdown drive, capped by Aguilar's 17-yard touchdown pass to Makai Jackson. This reduced the deficit to 56-20, but it was too little, too late against the Tigers' overwhelming lead.

This loss drops Appalachian State to a 1-1 record for the season. It also breaks their recent trend of close games against power-conference opponents, as their previous eight such matchups had all been decided by seven points or less.

For Clemson, this victory evens their record at 1-1 and serves as a confidence booster after their disappointing season opener. The Tigers' dominant performance showcases their potential and sets a positive tone as they move forward in their campaign.

Appalachian State will look to rebound from this defeat as they prepare for their next game, an in-state matchup at East Carolina (2-0) scheduled for 4 p.m. in Greenville.

RALEIGH – The NC State Wolfpack delivered an electrifying performance at Carter-Finley Stadium on Saturday, securing a 24-17 victory over the Clemson Tigers in a game that had the Wolfpack faithful in a frenzy of excitement when the final horn sounded. With this win, head coach Dave Doeren celebrated his 100th career victory and tied the program record for most wins with 77, alongside Earle Edwards, who set the mark in 1970.

Freshman sensation KC Concepcion stole the show, notching two crucial touchdowns and showcasing his incredible versatility. Concepcion hauled in a 72-yard touchdown pass from quarterback MJ Morris, capping off a remarkable catch-and-run in the third quarter. His performance didn't stop there, as he also led the team in rushing, accumulating 51 yards on the ground.

The game began with a nine-yard touchdown connection between Morris and Concepcion, giving NC State an early 7-0 lead. The Wolfpack extended their lead with a 41-yard field goal from Brayden Narveson after an impressive 55-yard drive. Clemson managed to narrow the gap with a one-yard rushing touchdown from Phil Mafah, bringing the score to 10-7 in favor of NC State.

Just before halftime, Clemson had an opportunity to level the score with a field goal, but an NC State timeout disrupted their plans, keeping the score at 10-7. The Wolfpack defense stepped up in a big way, with Payton Wilson making a spectacular 15-yard interception return for a touchdown, giving NC State a 17-7 lead.

NC State's offensive momentum continued, with Morris and Concepcion connecting once again for a 72-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to its largest margin of the day. While Clemson managed to put together 10 consecutive points, it wasn't enough to overcome the Wolfpack's lead.

The Wolfpack defense played a pivotal role in this victory, forcing two turnovers, securing two sacks, and making nine tackles for a loss. Linebacker Sean Brown led the defensive effort with 11 tackles, and Jaylon Scott was right behind with 10 tackles.

The victory marks the second straight time NC State has defeated Clemson at home, and the first time since 2011 that the Tigers have lost back-to-back games. The Wolfpack now stands at 5-3 (2-2 ACC), moving within one game of securing a bowl berth.

Up next, NC State will face Miami in another crucial ACC matchup at Carter-Finley on Saturday, November 4, with kickoff scheduled for 8 p.m., broadcast on the ACC Network. The Wolfpack faithful have every reason to be excited about their team's resurgence after this impressive win over Clemson.

 CHARLOTTE – Both the Clemson Tigers and North Carolina Tar Heels came into Saturday night’s ACC Championship Game off losses to their rivals and looking for a big win to secure a New Year’s Six bowl berth. Clemson's streak of six straight conference titles was snapped in 2021 and the Tigers were looking to reclaim their spot atop the conference. North Carolina was making its second trip to the conference title game and looking for its first title since 1980. The two schools met in the 2015 championship game with Clemson taking the title, 45-37. The 2022 edition of this matchup would not have the same fireworks with the Clemson Tigers overcoming a slow start to eventually blow away the Tar Heels, 39-10, in front of a raucous crowd of 64,115.

North Carolina opened the game strong, forcing a three-and-out on defense and then marching seventy-eight yards on eleven plays to land on the scoreboard first with a Drake Maye three-yard keeper. The Tar Heels were unable to maintain the early upper hand, though, as the UNC offense could only muster three more points the rest of the evening.

Former Weddington standout RB Will Shipley stretches for the pylon. Photo Credit: ACC Media Services

Dabo Swinney’s decision to swap quarterbacks paid dividends for the fifteenth-year head coach. After starting sluggishly on offense, Cade Klubnik came into the game on the third drive and the Tigers’ offense began to roar. Completing his first ten passes, including a one-yard touchdown toss to Davis Allen, catching a pass to set up a Phil Mafah rushing touchdown, and taking one in himself for another score, the freshman signal caller paced the Tigers to a three-score halftime lead.

Just when it looked like the Tar Heels were about to get back in the game in the third quarter, Clemson quarterback Nate Wiggins stepped in front of a pass at the two-yard line and raced the ninety-eight yards to the end zone for the spectacular pick-six. At this point, the rout was on and the only enemy of the Tigers was the clock.

Notable North Carolinians

Drake Maye (Myers Park) – the redshirt freshman passed for 268 yards and rushed for the Tar Heels’ lone touchdown

Will Shipley (Weddington) the sophomore running back scored a touchdown in the third quarter.

Trenton Simpson (Mallard Creek) the junior linebacker had eight tackles, including 1.5 for a loss and two quarterback hurries.

Up Next

Clemson (11-2) will represent the ACC in the Orange Bowl while North Carolina (9-4) will learn its bowl assignment on Sunday afternoon.

CLEMSON – The No. 10 NC State football team dropped its first game of the season in a 30-20 defeat at No. 5 Clemson Saturday night at the Tigers' Memorial Stadium.

Devin Leary led the Pack with two passing touchdowns on 28 of 47 passing. Leary also ran for a score. Thayer Thomas led the team with nine receptions for eighty-four yards. Linebacker Payton Wilson was the defensive leader for NC State with eleven tackles, including six solo stops, and a tackle for loss.

Up Next

NC State hosts Florida State next Saturday night on ACC Network.

WINSTON-SALEM – Wake Forest University's fourth sellout crowd (32,903) in its last five games inside Truist Field witnessed a double-overtime classic between No. 16 Wake Forest and No. 5 Clemson. In front of a national television audience on ABC, the Demon Deacons battled the Tigers to the wire and eventually fell in double overtime, 51-45. 

Wake Forest amassed 447 yards on offense and redshirt junior quarterback Sam Hartman tossed a Demon Deacons record six touchdowns. The six touchdown passes marked the most against the Clemson Tigers since current Chicago Bears quarterback Justin Fields threw six of his own on Jan. 1, 2021 in the Sugar Bowl. Additionally on Saturday, the Charlotte native finished 20-of-29 passing for 337 yards to go along with the half-dozen scores.  

Sophomore wideout Jahmal Banks caught a pair of touchdown passes for the second-straight game and redshirt sophomore Donavon Greene reeled in his first touchdown pass since Nov. 14, 2020 against North Carolina. Also with his eight-yard touchdown catch in the first overtime, redshirt junior wide receiver A.T. Perry tallied his 19th-career scoring grab which ties him for seventh in program history and gives him sole possession of first place among wideouts in the Dave Clawson era.

Overall this season, Wake Forest's offense has been unstoppable and has now set a new scoring record with 171 points through four games. The 45 points that the Deacs tallied on Saturday marked their highest total against the Tigers since Nov. 1, 2003 (45 points) and the most points Clemson has allowed since Nov. 7, 2020 at Notre Dame.

Defensively, captains Ryan Smenda, Jr. and Chase Jones each recorded a game-high nine tackles, respectively. The Demon Deacons defense totaled six tackles-for-loss, six pass breakups, eight quarterback hurries and one forced fumble. 

Up Next

Wake Forest travels to take on Florida State next Saturday at 3:30 p.m. on ABC. The Deacs next return to Truist Field on Oct. 8 vs. Army.

Story courtesy of Wake Forest Athletics

ACC places two in the top five for second consecutive season

Clemson and South Florida Accept Bids to 2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl

Will Face Each Other in Charlotte on New Year’s Eve

Charlotte, N.C. – The Clemson Tigers, representing the Atlantic Coast Conference, will face the South Florida Bulls from the Big East Conference in the 2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl, it was announced today by bowl officials. Clemson will be making their first appearance in the game, while South Florida returns for the second time, and first since 2005.

College football’s first bowl game to call the Carolinas home, the Meineke Car Care Bowl will take place on Friday, December 31st at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Kickoff is set for 12:00 p.m. and the game will be televised on ESPN.

“We are tremendously excited to have Clemson University and the University of South Florida in the 2010 Meineke Car Care Bowl,” said Will Webb, Executive Director. “Both teams have played extremely hard this year with every game being very competitive. We feel that the Tigers and Bulls will be a very entertaining and compelling matchup on the field for everyone watching. We look forward to hosting everyone in Charlotte on New Year’s eve for this exciting game and all the surrounding events.”

Clemson finished the season with a 6-6 overall record (4-4 in the ACC, tied for third in the Atlantic Division. The Tigers defeated bowl-bound NC State, Maryland and Georgia Tech. Three of their four conference losses were by less than a touchdown. In addition, they lost to #1-ranked Auburn by just three points in overtime.

South Florida finished the regular season with a 7-5 record (3-4 in the Big East, tied for third place). Three of the Bulls four conference losses were by less than a touchdown, including a three-point loss to BCS-bound UConn. South Florida defeated bowl-eligible Louisville and in-state rival Miami.

Tickets for the Meineke Car Care Bowl are on sale now and only available through TicketMaster and the participating schools. Upper Level Seats begin at just $40. To purchase individual tickets, please visit any TicketMaster outlet in the southeast or online at www.ticketmaster.com.

To order from TicketMaster by phone, call 1-800-745-3000. Tickets are also available at the Carolina Panthers Box Office, located at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte.

The first college bowl game to call the Carolinas home, the Meineke Car Care Bowl has averaged over 60,000 fans each year with three sellouts in its eight years. In addition, the game has reached over 22 million television households. In 2003, it was named one of the five-best start-ups in sports over the past five years by the Sports Business Journal, behind only the NFL Houston Texans and ESPN the Magazine.

For more information, please visit www.MeinekeCarCareBowl.com.

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Statement from Clemson Athletic Director Dr. Terry Don Phillips:

“We are delighted for the opportunity to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl against South Florida. The great support our fans have shown through communication to the Meineke Car Care Bowl was very convincing and we appreciate the outstanding support of our fans. That strong support was significant in its decision. It is great exposure to play on New Year’s Eve and we are looking forward to playing a good, solid team in South Florida, who narrowly lost to Big East Champion Connecticut on Saturday.”

Statement from Clemson Head Football Coach Dabo Swinny:

“We are excited about playing South Florida in Charlotte in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. It’s a great situation for our fans. One of the main reasons we were selected for this bowl is because of our great fan support and the passion of our fans.

“We’ve never played in the Meineke Car Care Bowl, so we look forward to representing our school and conference during the week and on gameday. We haven’t won bowl games in back-to-back seasons since 1989-90, so hopefully we can accomplish that feat and end the season on a positive note.

“South Florida presents us with an outstanding matchup. Skip Holtz has done a great job in his first year as head coach of the Bulls. They beat Miami (FL), who beat us, so it will be a great matchup and we look forward to playing them in the bowl game.”

Statement from USF Director of Intercollegiate Athletics Doug Woolard:

“It's a great honor to be selected by the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Executive Director Will Webb, Charlotte Collegiate Football and the wonderful volunteers associated with the bowl have established a terrific reputation for hosting a game and event that is truly first class. We had the opportunity to experience their hospitality firsthand, when we made our inaugural bowl trip to Charlotte in 2005. Our fans had a wonderful time and there is no doubt they will be very excited to return.”

“Currently, our program is riding a wave of momentum behind first-year head coach Skip Holtz. I think people around the country recognize that and it was reflected in our selection by the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Coach Holtz has done a magnificent job with this football team and program in just a short time. He has provided outstanding leadership from day one and built a very competitive product on the field. I am so proud of our football team. They have shown tremendous character throughout the year and the young men and their outstanding coaching staff are very, very deserving of this opportunity.”

Statement from USF Head Football Coach Skip Holtz:

“I’m extremely excited for this coaching staff, these players and our fan base about having the opportunity to play in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. This group has worked extremely hard throughout the year, so a trip to Charlotte is the perfect way to finish off the season. I’ve been fortunate enough to have many great bowl experiences during my career and I hear that the Meineke Car Care Bowl is as good as any bowl in the country. It is a first-class operation and we’re really excited to have the opportunity to represent the BIG EAST conference. We’re looking forward to a great week and a great game in Charlotte.”