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Clemson-SMU Halftime Contest Sparks $80K Controversy

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Dec 8, 2024 2:48 AM ET

The Clemson Tigers face off against the SMU Mustangs in the ACC title game on Saturday.

In a thrilling game, Clemson snuck out a last-second win on a 56-yard field goal by Nolan Hauser.

The Tigers win the game, 34-31, despite SMU scoring 17 fourth-quarter points and tying up the game with 20 seconds remaining.

While the game itself was full of highlights, one halftime event sparked some controversy.

Dr. Pepper held a tuition giveaway during the half with two students, Miller and Ajani, battling for a $100,000 top prize and $20,000 to the runner-up.

The two contestants were battling back and forth until Miller won on a last-second pass.

However, there was some controversy with the result.

Miller was using the chest pass strategy while Ajani was using the normal throwing routine.

pic.twitter.com/iTaolv6Irc
— no context college football (@nocontextcfb) December 8, 2024

On second glance, it looked as if Miller's football was still in his hands when the buzzer sounded, meaning it should've ended in a tie that went into a tiebreaker round.

Unfortunately for Ajani, Dr. Pepper did not review the ruling as of Saturday night, allow they do have a tiebreaker system in place.

Instead, they named Miller as the winner and posted on X on Saturday night.

Miller hit the buzzer at the #ACCchampionship and will be heading home to finish out his degree in Neuroscience with $100k in tuition! Well done, Miller! #DrPepperTuitionGiveaway pic.twitter.com/xQOWWEzbjB
— Dr Pepper (@drpepper) December 8, 2024

In the Big 12 title game in 2023, an error resulted in Dr. Pepper giving both contests a $100,000 prize.

This time, however, Miller won the top prize, although further review might have changed the result. Ajani still walks away with $20,000, although he was one call away from winning -- or at least competing in the tiebreaker -- for $100,000.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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