Clemson starting center Will Putnam met with the media on Monday as the Tigers get ready to renew their rivalry with South Carolina when the teams meet for the 120th time in series history on Saturday.

A fifth-year senior, Putnam was asked about the atmosphere that Clemson will play in at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia, and what he remembers hearing from the Tigers’ veterans about that environment before his first time playing there as a true freshman in 2019.

“Keep your helmet on, and that’s something that has stuck with me ever since,” Putnam said. “So any game at the end of the game, win or lose, I always keep my helmet on running off the field. They got their net and people are still throwing stuff, trying to get through it.”

This will be Putnam’s fourth meeting against South Carolina in his five years at Clemson, as the Tigers and Gamecocks did not play in the COVID year of 2020. Putnam’s only loss to South Carolina came in the 31-30 outcome at Death Valley last season; Putnam and the Tigers beat the Gamecocks 38-3 at South Carolina in 2019 and 30-0 at South Carolina in 2021.

Playing at Williams-Brice is something Putnam, a four-year starter for Clemson, embraces.

“I like it. I think it’s a great environment. It’s probably the best road environment, I think, that I’ve played in – always loud, people are always there, people are always really nice greeting me on the bus ride over,” Putnam said, laughing.

“But yeah, it’s awesome, and I think that’s what makes college football so special and just those rivalries and stuff like that, people being really passionate about that stuff. So, it’s always exciting.”

Kickoff of Saturday’s game is set for 7:30 p.m. on SEC Network.

To honor Clemson’s special senior class Dear Old Clemson is selling footballs signed by 7 of Clemson’s Avengers for only $100.  These limited edition footballs are signed by Thomas, Orhorhoro, Davis, Mascoll, Henry, Murphy and Williams.  Get one while supplies last.