By Will Vandervort.
Here is an inside look at the Clemson-South Carolina State series as the 23rd-ranked Clemson Tigers host the Bulldogs in the home opener at Death Valley. The game will be televised by the ACC Network at 12:30 p.m.
About the South Carolina State Bulldogs: The Bulldogs are coming off a 63-0 victory over Benedict in the Palmetto State Classic in the season opener in Orangeburg, S.C. State scored 42 second half points in the win.
The S.C. State offense: Buddy Pough’s offense had 381 rushing yards and 160 passing yards on 15-of-19 passing. Quarterback Adrian Kollock, in his first career-start, connected on 15-of-18 passing for 160 yards, while adding 22 more yards on the grounds. Eight of the Bulldogs nine touchdowns came on the ground. Running back Jalen Simmons was the top ball carrier with 77 yards on 12 carries.
The S.C. State defense: The Bulldogs held Benedict to 228 total yards and 3.1 yards per play. Defensive end Alexander Glover had six tackles—three of them for loss—including a sack. S.C. State’s defense had 11 tackles for loss on the day from nine different players. Nose tackle Javon Hargrave also had a 61-yard fumble return for a score.
Records: Clemson 0-1; S.C. State 1-0
Series record: Clemson lead series 2-0
Last year: Clemson won 52-13
First meeting: 2008, Clemson won 54-0
Stat worth noting: Clemson linebacker Tony Steward had a career-high 12 tackles at Georgia, including a career-high four stops on special teams. That is the first time he has reached double digit tackles in a game.
Second stat worth noting: Clemson is a perfect 28-0 against FCS teams since the NCAA formed the division (then known as 1-AA) in 1978.
Third stat worth noting: Clemson has outscored FCS teams by a score of 1073-198 in 28 meetings, and average score of 38-7. The Tigers have won 27 of the 28 meetings against FCS competition by double digits, with lone exception coming to Wofford – a 35-27 Clemson victory. Wofford’s 27 points are also the most points scored by an FCS team against the Tigers.
Memorable game: Last year, quarterback Cole Stoudt established a new record for completion percentage in a game when he connected on 19 of 20 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns in Clemson’s 52-13 victory over S.C. State. The defense also had a pair of touchdowns as Martin Jenkins returned an interception 52 yards for a score, while Darius Robinson returned another 35 yards for a touchdown. It marked the first time since 1940 the Tigers had two interceptions returned for a touchdown in the same game.