Clemson rallies by Ohio State to win Orange Bowl shootout

Tajh Boyd left celebrates his first quarter TD run with Martavis Bryant.(Photo Robert Mayer USA TODAY Sports)

Story HighlightsTajh Boyd closed his college career by passing for 378 yards and 5 TDs and rushing for 127 yards and a TDSammy Watkins set Orange Bowl marks with 16 catches for 227 yards and 2 TDsOhio State blew a nine point second half lead and coach Urban Meyer lost his first BCS bowl in five tries

MIAMI GARDENS Fla. As predicted it turned into a shootout.

And Tajh Boyd went out with a bang.

Boyd passed for 378 yards and five touchdowns in the final game of his career leading Clemson to a 40 35 victory against Ohio State on Friday night in the Orange Bowl at Sun Life Stadium.

The Tigers' first BCS bowl victory didn't come easily.

BOX SCORE Clemson 40 Ohio State 35

WATCH Clemson WRs make beautiful catches

Bashaud Breeland forced a fumble from Ohio State quarterback Braxton Miller with 3 12 remaining and Spencer Shuey recovered. It could have sealed the victory but Boyd threw poorly while trying to continue a game clinching drive and Ohio State intercepted.

But Tigers linebacker Stephone Anthony returned the favor intercepting a Miller pass and Clemson ran out the clock from there.

In what was likely his final game junior receiver Sammy Watkins set Orange Bowl records with 16 receptions for 227 yards.

Clemson improved to 11 2 marking two straight years with 11 victories for the first time in school history. Ohio State closed 12 2.

Clemson also overcame a plethora of penalties. The Tigers were whistled for 15 penalties totaling 144 yards by the American Athletic Conference officiating crew.

Clemson dominated the first half yet went to the locker room trailing 22 20.

WATCH Late interception seals Ohio State loss

The Tigers amassed 362 yards in the half and scored on their first two possessions. Boyd darted up the middle for a 49 yard touchdown and a 7 0 lead on Clemson's first possession but the Buckeyes responded with a 13 play 75 yard drive culminating in Miller's 33 yard run.

The scoring drive was particularly frustrating for Clemson because the Tigers had stopped the Buckeyes on a third and 6 play when Vic Beasley sacked Miller but Beasley was flagged for an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty to keep the drive alive.

Clemson bounced back quickly scoring in four plays with Watkins snatching a 34 yard touchdown pass from Boyd to cap the drive.

But on the Tigers' next possession Boyd was flagged for intentional grounding in the Clemson end zone resulting in a safety that cut the Tigers' lead to 14 9.

Two possessions later Boyd was intercepted at the Ohio State 5 yard line when he attempted to loft a pass to Watkins and the ball was tipped and picked off by the Buckeyes' Vonn Bell.

After forcing a third consecutive three and out Boyd went back to work completing four passes for 64 yards on a 77 yard drive that was capped by a 3 yard toss to Martavis Bryant for a 20 9 lead.

But Miller responded by connecting with a wide open Jeff Heuerman for a 57 yard score to cut the Tigers' lead to 20 15.

Miller later drove Ohio State 79 yards in 1 04 completing four passes before scoring on a 3 yard run for a 22 20 advantage.

Scott Keepfer writes for The Greenville (S.C.) News a Gannett affiliate.

PHOTOS BEST OF THE ORANGE BOWL

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