Another South Carolina stunner
Gamecocks follow rout of Tennessee with first win over Clemson since 2013 to spoil playoff shot.
SOUTH CAROLINA 31 NO. 8 CLEMSON 30
CLEMSON, S.C. — Some teams would have been content with a season-defining win over top-10 Tennessee. Not South Carolina and certainly not quarterback Spencer Rattler.
South Carolina followed its stunner over the Volunteers last week with a 31-30 victory over No. 8 Clemson on Saturday, ending the title chances of another College Football Playoff contender for a second straight week.
“We wanted more. We knew this was the biggest game of the season for us,” said Rattler, who passed for 360 yards and two touchdowns. “These last two games will change the narrative for program history.”
Saturday’s game certainly turned a one-sided rivalry on its ear. South Carolina has played in the shadow of two-time national champion Clemson the last nine years, losing the last seven against the Tigers (10-2, 8-0 ACC), who had been on a 40-game win streak at home.
But the Gamecocks (8-4, 4-4 SEC) rallied from a 14-0 deficit after 10 minutes to beat Clemson for the first time since 2013.
“Where’s my trophy?” cornerback Cam Smith shouted of the silver-colored Palmetto Bowl that’s coming back to Columbia.
South Carolina and Rattler, who threw for 438 yards and six touchdowns against Tennessee, ended any chance Clemson had at a playoff berth.
Antwane Wells Jr. had nine catches for 131 yards, including touchdowns of four and 72 yards.
Clemson was looking to set a series record with its eighth win in a row over South Carolina. And the Tigers were ahead 30-21 midway through the third period after Will Shipley’s 11-yard burst to the end zone.
That’s when Wells, the James Madison transfer, broke behind the defense for a 72-yard touchdown catch two plays later.
After Clemson’s three and out, Rattler moved the Gamecocks to the Tigers’ 10 before Mitch Jeter connected for a 35yard kick to go 10 for 10 on the season.
Clemson had no answer after South Carolina took the lead. The Tigers managed only 15 yards on three series as DJ Uiagalelei went a combined 0 of 6 passing with an interception.