The 2021 ACC Championship Game was the championship game for the 2021 Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) football season. The game was played at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina, on December 4, 2021, between the No. 8 Pittsburgh Panthers and No. 22 Wake Forest Demon Deacons. Pittsburgh won the game 45-21 to win their first ACC Championship since 2018 and their fourth overall.
Wake Forest entered the game as the defending champions, having won the 2020 ACC Championship Game. Pittsburgh was making their third appearance in the championship game, having lost to Clemson in 2016 and 2018. The game was a rematch of the regular season meeting between the two teams, which Pittsburgh won 34-31 in overtime.
The game was played in front of a crowd of 73,212 and was televised on ABC. Pittsburgh took an early lead with a touchdown on their opening drive, and they never looked back. They led 28-14 at halftime and extended their lead to 38-14 in the third quarter. Wake Forest made a late rally with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
ACC Championship Game 2021
The 2021 ACC Championship Game was a memorable event that saw the Pittsburgh Panthers defeat the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 45-21 to win their first ACC Championship since 2018.
- Pittsburgh wins 45-21
- Pitt's first ACC title since 2018
- Pitt's fourth ACC title overall
- Wake Forest defending champions
- Pitt's third appearance in title game
- Pitt won regular season meeting
- Crowd of 73,212
- Game televised on ABC
- Pitt led 28-14 at halftime
The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pittsburgh took an early lead and never looked back, extending their lead to 38-14 in the third quarter. Wake Forest made a late rally with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Pittsburgh wins 45-21
The Pittsburgh Panthers defeated the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 45-21 to win the 2021 ACC Championship Game. It was Pitt's first ACC title since 2018 and their fourth overall. The Panthers took an early lead and never looked back, extending their lead to 38-14 in the third quarter. Wake Forest made a late rally with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Pitt's offense was led by quarterback Kenny Pickett, who threw for 253 yards and three touchdowns. Running back Israel Abanikanda rushed for 102 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver Jordan Addison had eight catches for 126 yards and a touchdown. The Panthers' defense also played well, holding Wake Forest to just 21 points and forcing three turnovers.
Wake Forest's offense was led by quarterback Sam Hartman, who threw for 287 yards and two touchdowns. However, he also threw two interceptions. Running back Christian Beal-Smith rushed for 67 yards and a touchdown, while wide receiver A.T. Perry had eight catches for 106 yards and a touchdown.
The game was played in front of a sold-out crowd at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. Pitt took an early lead with a touchdown on their opening drive, and they never looked back. They led 28-14 at halftime and extended their lead to 38-14 in the third quarter. Wake Forest made a late rally with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Pitt's victory was a culmination of a season of hard work and dedication. The Panthers finished the regular season with a 10-2 record, and they won their first ACC Championship since 2018. They will now represent the ACC in the College Football Playoff.
Pitt's first ACC title since 2018
Pitt's victory in the 2021 ACC Championship Game was their first ACC title since 2018. It was also their fourth ACC title overall. The Panthers had a successful regular season in 2018, finishing with a 10-2 record and a No. 15 ranking in the final College Football Playoff rankings. However, they lost to Clemson in the ACC Championship Game that year.
In 2021, Pitt had another successful regular season, finishing with a 10-2 record and a No. 8 ranking in the final College Football Playoff rankings. They earned a berth in the ACC Championship Game by defeating Wake Forest in the regular season finale. In the championship game, Pitt defeated Wake Forest again, this time by a score of 45-21.
Pitt's victory in the ACC Championship Game was a culmination of a season of hard work and dedication. The Panthers had a talented team led by quarterback Kenny Pickett, running back Israel Abanikanda, and wide receiver Jordan Addison. They also had a strong defense that was led by defensive end Calijah Kancey and linebacker SirVocea Dennis.
Pitt's victory in the ACC Championship Game was a special moment for the program and its fans. It was the Panthers' first ACC title since 2018 and their fourth overall. It was also a victory that earned them a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Pitt's victory in the ACC Championship Game was a major accomplishment for the program. It was a victory that was years in the making. The Panthers had worked hard to rebuild their program after a down period in the early 2010s. Their victory in the ACC Championship Game was a sign that they are back among the elite teams in college football.
Pitt's fourth ACC title overall
Pitt's victory in the 2021 ACC Championship Game was their fourth ACC title overall. The Panthers had previously won ACC titles in 1989, 2009, and 2018. All four of Pitt's ACC titles have come under different head coaches. Mike Gottfried led the Panthers to their first ACC title in 1989, Dave Wannstedt led them to their second ACC title in 2009, Pat Narduzzi led them to their third ACC title in 2018, and Mark Whipple led them to their fourth ACC title in 2021.
Pitt's four ACC titles are the most of any team in the Coastal Division. They are also tied for the third-most ACC titles overall, behind only Clemson (8) and Florida State (6). Pitt's victory in the 2021 ACC Championship Game was a special moment for the program and its fans. It was the Panthers' first ACC title since 2018 and their fourth overall. It was also a victory that earned them a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Pitt's success in the ACC is a testament to the program's rich history and tradition. The Panthers have a long history of success in college football, and they have been a member of the ACC since 1982. Pitt has won four ACC titles, 10 conference division titles, and 22 bowl games. They have also produced a number of NFL players, including Heisman Trophy winners Tony Dorsett and Larry Fitzgerald.
Pitt's victory in the 2021 ACC Championship Game was a major accomplishment for the program. It was a victory that was years in the making. The Panthers had worked hard to rebuild their program after a down period in the early 2010s. Their victory in the ACC Championship Game was a sign that they are back among the elite teams in college football.
Pitt's four ACC titles are a source of pride for the program and its fans. The Panthers are one of the most successful teams in the ACC, and they have a long history of success in college football. Pitt's victory in the 2021 ACC Championship Game was a special moment for the program, and it is a victory that will be remembered for years to come.
Wake Forest defending champions
Wake Forest entered the 2021 ACC Championship Game as the defending champions. They had won the 2020 ACC Championship Game by defeating Clemson 45-17. It was Wake Forest's first ACC title since 1970.
Wake Forest had a successful regular season in 2021, finishing with a 10-3 record and a No. 22 ranking in the final College Football Playoff rankings. They earned a berth in the ACC Championship Game by defeating Pittsburgh in the regular season finale.
However, Wake Forest was unable to defend their ACC title in 2021. They lost to Pittsburgh 45-21 in the championship game. Pittsburgh took an early lead and never looked back, extending their lead to 38-14 in the third quarter. Wake Forest made a late rally with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Despite their loss in the ACC Championship Game, Wake Forest had a successful season in 2021. They won 10 games for the first time since 2006, and they finished the season ranked No. 22 in the final College Football Playoff rankings.
Wake Forest's success in 2021 is a sign that the program is on the rise. Head coach Dave Clawson has done a great job of rebuilding the program since taking over in 2014. Wake Forest has won at least eight games in each of the past five seasons, and they have won 10 games in two of the past three seasons.
Pitt's third appearance in title game
Pitt's appearance in the 2021 ACC Championship Game was their third appearance in the title game. They had previously appeared in the ACC Championship Game in 2016 and 2018.
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2016
Pitt lost to Clemson 42-35 in the 2016 ACC Championship Game. Pitt took an early lead in the game, but Clemson came back to win in the fourth quarter.
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2018
Pitt lost to Clemson again in the 2018 ACC Championship Game, this time by a score of 42-10. Clemson dominated the game from start to finish.
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2021
Pitt defeated Wake Forest 45-21 in the 2021 ACC Championship Game. Pitt took an early lead and never looked back, extending their lead to 38-14 in the third quarter. Wake Forest made a late rally with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
Pitt's victory in the 2021 ACC Championship Game was their first ACC title since 2018 and their fourth overall. It was also a victory that earned them a berth in the College Football Playoff.
Pitt won regular season meeting
Pitt's victory in the 2021 ACC Championship Game was their second victory over Wake Forest in 2021. Pitt had also defeated Wake Forest 34-31 in overtime in the regular season.
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Regular season meeting
Pitt won the regular season meeting against Wake Forest 34-31 in overtime. The game was tied 24-24 at the end of regulation, and Pitt won the game on a touchdown pass from Kenny Pickett to Jordan Addison in overtime.
Pitt's victory in the regular season meeting against Wake Forest was a key factor in their victory in the ACC Championship Game. Pitt was able to use their knowledge of Wake Forest's team and their familiarity with the Wake Forest defense to their advantage in the championship game.
Crowd of 73,212
The 2021 ACC Championship Game was played in front of a crowd of 73,212 at the Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, North Carolina. It was the largest crowd to attend an ACC Championship Game since 2019.
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Sold-out crowd
The 2021 ACC Championship Game was a sell-out. All 73,212 tickets were sold, and the stadium was filled to capacity.
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Record crowd
The crowd of 73,212 was the largest crowd to attend an ACC Championship Game since 2019. The 2019 ACC Championship Game was also played at the Bank of America Stadium and drew a crowd of 74,028.
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Enthusiastic crowd
The crowd of 73,212 was very enthusiastic. The crowd was loud and passionate, and they created a great atmosphere for the game.
The crowd of 73,212 was a major factor in the success of the 2021 ACC Championship Game. The crowd created a great atmosphere for the game, and they helped to make the game a special event for the fans, the players, and the coaches.
Game televised on ABC
The 2021 ACC Championship Game was televised on ABC. ABC has been the television partner of the ACC since 2016, and they have televised every ACC Championship Game since then.
ABC's coverage of the 2021 ACC Championship Game was led by play-by-play commentator Chris Fowler, analyst Kirk Herbstreit, and sideline reporter Heather Cox. The game was also simulcast on ESPN2 with different commentators.
ABC's coverage of the 2021 ACC Championship Game was very good. Fowler, Herbstreit, and Cox did a great job of calling the game and providing insights into the game. The production values were also very good, and the game was presented in a very professional manner.
ABC's coverage of the 2021 ACC Championship Game was a success. The game was televised to a large audience, and the coverage was very well-received by fans and critics alike.
ABC's coverage of the ACC Championship Game is an important part of the ACC's overall media strategy. ABC's coverage helps to promote the ACC and its teams to a national audience. It also helps to generate revenue for the ACC, which is used to support the conference and its member schools.
Pitt led 28-14 at halftime
Pitt took a 28-14 lead over Wake Forest at halftime of the 2021 ACC Championship Game. The Panthers scored touchdowns on their first three possessions of the game, and they added a field goal on their fourth possession.
Pitt's offense was led by quarterback Kenny Pickett, who threw for 229 yards and two touchdowns in the first half. Running back Israel Abanikanda rushed for 68 yards and a touchdown in the first half, and wide receiver Jordan Addison had six catches for 105 yards and a touchdown in the first half.
Wake Forest's offense struggled in the first half. The Demon Deacons were held to just 126 yards of total offense in the first half, and they turned the ball over twice.
Pitt's 28-14 lead at halftime was a comfortable lead, but it was not insurmountable. Wake Forest had come back from a 14-point deficit to defeat Pittsburgh in the regular season, and they were hoping to do the same in the championship game.
However, Pitt's defense was too strong for Wake Forest in the second half. The Panthers held the Demon Deacons to just seven points in the second half, and they forced three turnovers. Pitt's offense also continued to produce in the second half, scoring 17 points to extend their lead to 45-21.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about the 2021 ACC Championship Game:
Question 1: Who won the 2021 ACC Championship Game?
Answer: Pittsburgh Panthers
Question 2: Who was the MVP of the 2021 ACC Championship Game?
Answer: Kenny Pickett, Pittsburgh Panthers
Question 3: What was the score of the 2021 ACC Championship Game?
Answer: Pittsburgh 45, Wake Forest 21
Question 4: Where was the 2021 ACC Championship Game played?
Answer: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, North Carolina
Question 5: Who was the starting quarterback for Pittsburgh in the 2021 ACC Championship Game?
Answer: Kenny Pickett
Question 6: Who was the starting quarterback for Wake Forest in the 2021 ACC Championship Game?
Answer: Sam Hartman
Question 7: What was the attendance for the 2021 ACC Championship Game?
Answer: 73,212
Question 8: Who televised the 2021 ACC Championship Game?
Answer: ABC
These are just a few of the frequently asked questions about the 2021 ACC Championship Game. For more information, please visit the official website of the ACC.
Tips
Here are a few tips for attending the 2021 ACC Championship Game:
Tip 1: Buy your tickets early.
Tickets for the ACC Championship Game are typically in high demand, so it is important to buy your tickets early. Tickets can be purchased online or through the ACC website.
Tip 2: Arrive early.
The ACC Championship Game is a popular event, so it is important to arrive early to avoid traffic and long lines. The stadium gates will open two hours before the game starts.
Tip 3: Dress warmly.
The ACC Championship Game is played in December, so it is important to dress warmly. The temperature can be cold, especially at night.
Tip 4: Be prepared for a lot of walking.
The ACC Championship Game is played at Bank of America Stadium, which is a large stadium. Be prepared to do a lot of walking, especially if your seats are in the upper deck.
Tip 5: Have fun!
The ACC Championship Game is a great opportunity to see some of the best college football teams in the country. Enjoy the game and have a great time!
These are just a few tips for attending the 2021 ACC Championship Game. For more information, please visit the official website of the ACC.
Conclusion
The 2021 ACC Championship Game was a memorable event that saw the Pittsburgh Panthers defeat the Wake Forest Demon Deacons 45-21 to win their first ACC Championship since 2018. The Panthers took an early lead and never looked back, extending their lead to 38-14 in the third quarter. Wake Forest made a late rally with two touchdowns in the fourth quarter, but it wasn't enough to overcome the deficit.
The 2021 ACC Championship Game was a special moment for the Pittsburgh Panthers and their fans. It was the Panthers' first ACC title since 2018 and their fourth overall. It was also a victory that earned them a berth in the College Football Playoff.
The 2021 ACC Championship Game was a reminder of the strength of the ACC. The ACC is one of the top conferences in college football, and the ACC Championship Game is one of the most prestigious games in the country. The 2021 ACC Championship Game was a great way to end the college football season, and it is a game that will be remembered for years to come.