On Saturday night, the Clemson Tigers defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks by a score of 16-7 in the Palmetto Bowl at Williams-Brice Stadium.
The Tigers avenge last season’s loss to their in-state rival in Death Valley, stealing an away win of their own to send the Gamecocks out of bowl contention and winning their fourth straight game of the season.
It was the defense who led most of the way, with some help from special team standouts Jonathan Weitz and Aidan Swanson. Weitz nailed three field goals over the course of the game, from 50, 49 and 42 yards out. Swanson constantly drove the Gamecocks into their own end zone, with an average of 41.2 yards across six punts allowing South Carolina to start drives in deep positions.
The defense played arguably its best game of the season, holding quarterback Spencer Rattler and his offense to just 169 yards of total offense, forcing two turnovers and giving the Gamecocks their least amount of yards offensively this season. They also scored the only Clemson touchdown of the game as well.
The team hit the ground running early, getting on the board on the second play of the game with some help from Khalil Barnes. The freshman saw a backward pass from Rattler miss receiver Xavier Legette, and Barnes scooped it up and took it the other way for a 42-yard score.
Barnes would have an interception on Rattler one offensive play later.
After the Gamecocks responded with a touchdown drive of their own, the Clemson defense came to life, stifling any chance for another score for the rest of the game.
The offense did enough to get points on the board, especially with the Tigers’ rushing attack. Three different players rushed for more than 50 yards. Leading the room was Phil Mafah, who ran for 89 yards off of 19 carries. Will Shipley added 82 yards of his own, and Cade Klubnik rushed for 52 yards.
With a record of 8-4 now, Clemson will await their next matchup in the upcoming weeks, which will be announced when the bowl schedule is released.
