COLUMBIA, S.C. — While it is certainly joked about a lot, you can absolutely make a case for Clemson owning South Carolina and Williams-Brice Stadium. At least in the past 50 years.
The Tigers knocked off the rival Gamecocks 28-14 on Saturday, extending the team’s winning streak to four games. Clemson has also won 19 of the past 25 games in Columbia, dating back to 1975
Order Restored
Clemson still has not lost a game in Columbia since 2013, and has now won nine of the past 11 in the series. Clemson now leads the overall series 74-44-4 and since 1977, the Tigers are now 19-6 in Williams-Brice Stadium.
After losing a heartbreaker to the Gamecocks in the final minute a season ago, the Tigers went out and controlled this one for much of the afternoon. Much better to go into the offseason with a win over your rival, particularly after a disappointing campaign.
MVP, MVP, MVP
Ricardo Jones stepped up big. His interception in the end zone late in the second quarter ended a potential go-ahead touchdown drive. Then, his pick six with a little over three minutes to play put the Tigers up by two scores and basically sealed the victory.
After picking off two passes in this one, Jones now leads Clemson with six interceptions this season. That is also tied for tops in the nation.
Much More Prepared for Sellers
How much more prepared did this defense look for LaNorris Sellers today as opposed to last year’s game? Will Heldt and T.J. Parker were pretty disruptive, while Sammy Brown and Wade Woodaz really solidified the middle of the unit. The two linebackers combined for 16 tackles and four pass breakups.
Sellers’ longest run of the day was 13 yards, and he just wasn’t able to run through tackles the way he did in Death Valley last season. He finished the game with only two rushing yards. Tom Allen’s group did an excellent job of wrapping up and an even better job against the run, limiting SC to less than 50 yards on the ground.
The Tigers also sacked Sellers four times on the afternoon and finished with five tackles for loss and held the Gamecocks to just 1-of-11 on third down.
Ball Hawking
Ricardo Jones has no doubt been up and down this season, but his late third-quarter interception was a thing of beauty. The sophomore safety has shown a nose for the ball all season and now has five picks this year. The Gamecocks were driving for a go-ahead score at the time. The Tigers were not able to take advantage of the opportunity with points, but did flip the field.
Klubnik’s Legacy
Cade Klubnik needed this win to help put a better spin on his legacy at Clemson. The senior left it all out on the field in his final appearance in this rivalry series, and with the victory, he improves to 2-1 as a starter against the Gamecocks. Winning this one also helps ease the sting of the interception he threw last season with under a minute left that sealed a Gamecocks’ win.
Klubnik passed for 268 yards, completing 62 of his pass attempts, while adding a rushing touchdown.
Randall Keeps Plugging Along
Adam Randall went over 100 rushing yards for the fourth time this season. The converted wideout averaged close to 4.5 yards per carry and scored one rushing touchdown and caught a big two-point conversion. He now has 779 rushing yards this season.
Photo by Bart Boatwright