COLUMBIA —Since it was the defense that provided Clemson’s lone touchdown Saturday night, it was fitting they won the game for the 24th-ranked Tigers too.
Clemson’s defense held rival South Carolina to 169 total yards in a 16-7 victory at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Tigers held USC quarterback Spencer Rattler to one of his worst days of his college career. Rattler was 16 of 32 for 112 yards, no touchdowns and one interception.
The Tigers’ offense was not much better, but they leaned on the running game just enough to preserve the win. Clemson ran for 219 yards and had 319 total yards overall.
Clemson (8-4) grabbed the early lead in the most unique way one can. Barnes picked up a loose ball on the game’s second play from scrimmage, after Xavier Legett dropped it on a backwards pass, and raced untouched 42 yards for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead with 14:25 to play in the opening quarter.
After the Tigers failed to capitalize on a Rattler interception on the Gamecocks’ third play from scrimmage, USC drove 81 yards on 12 plays to even things up. On fourth-and-goal from the Clemson one, Luke Doty found his way into the end zone with 6:39 to go in the quarter.
The Tigers answered with the first of Jonathan Weitz’s three field goals. He nailed a 50-yard kick—a career high—to for a 10-7 lead with 43 seconds to go in the quarter.
Weitz extended Clemson’s advantage to 13-7 with 5:07 to play before halftime. This time the graduate kicker made a 49-yard kick.
After Klubnik found Tyler Brown for a 39-yard completion to the South Carolina 31 on the Tigers’ opening possession of the third quarter, Weitz was called upon again to extend the lead. This time he drilled a 42-yard field goal for 16-7 lead with 13:16 to play in the third quarter.
THE TAKEAWAY
Clemson’s defense dominated the game after South Carolina evened things up. The Gamecocks had two total yards combined in the second and third quarters. USC did not get past the 100-yard mark until the 10-minute mark of the fourth quarter. USC had 74 total yards after the first quarter.
IMPLICATIONS
The win was Clemson’s fourth straight to conclude the regular season. It also places the Tigers in a Tier 1 Bowl from the ACC. With the loss, South Carolina’s season comes to a close at 5-7.
MVP
Khalil Barnes had himself a game. The true freshman recorded four solo tackles, he broke up two passes, had an interception and had the 42-yard fumble return for a touchdown. Barnes became the first Clemson player to record a takeaway on consecutive plays from scrimmage since Brian Dawkins did it against Duke in 1995.
TIDBITS
Clemson improves to 18-6 at Williams-Brice Stadium since 1977.
UP NEXT
Clemson waits to see where it will be bowling next month. The Tigers will officially learn their destination on Dec. 3.