South Carolina and Clemson delighted fans with a thrilling contest Saturday that ended in a historic 12-10 victory for the Gamecocks.
The game – a gut-wrenching affair – was highlighted by superb defense, gritty play, and a do-or-die spirit that was exhibited by both squads. It was also a contest that held national relevance as the Tigers entered the contest ranked third while South Carolina was ranked eight.
The Gamecocks pressured the Tigers early but could not find the try zone. At the 20-minute mark the Tigers caught South Carolina napping after a penalty, spun the ball wide and dashed 80-meters for the try.
South Carolina used some nifty kicking to keep the Tigers on their back foot for the remainder of the half but could not break through Clemson’s line. Three times the Gamecock pressured inside the Clemson 10-meter line but were undone by poor communication and misplays.
In the second half, the Gamecocks found some offensive rhythm. Freshman wing Nick DuBois found space on the Tigers’ perimeter and scored a try that put the Gamecocks up 7-5 after the successful conversion by Kevin Lacy.
Another freshman, outside center Grant Ruhlen, intercepted a wayward Clemson backline pass five minutes later and rushed 25 meters for South Carolina’s second try.
The next 20 minutes was a slugfest. The Gamecocks fought desperately to put the Tigers away. But Clemson, which had not lost a 15s contest to South Carolina in more than a decade, wrestled momentum to their side by scoring a try in the corner with ten minutes remaining. The difficult conversion fell short.
Now South Carolina was on their back foot. The Tigers pressured the Gamecocks during the final desperate minutes. But the Gamecock defense would not bend.
South Carolina Head Coach John Roberts said solid defense and timely kicking proved the difference.
“Coming into the contest Clemson had outscored their opponents 110-5,” he said. “Our whole game plan was to charge their backline and forwards to prevent them from generating go-forward ball. Our scrum half (Jack Van Vliet) and flyhalf (Jack Chelly) also did a fine job with their boot.”
The game – a gut-wrenching affair – was highlighted by superb defense, gritty play, and a do-or-die spirit that was exhibited by both squads. It was also a contest that held national relevance as the Tigers entered the contest ranked third while South Carolina was ranked eight.
The Gamecocks pressured the Tigers early but could not find the try zone. At the 20-minute mark the Tigers caught South Carolina napping after a penalty, spun the ball wide and dashed 80-meters for the try.
South Carolina used some nifty kicking to keep the Tigers on their back foot for the remainder of the half but could not break through Clemson’s line. Three times the Gamecock pressured inside the Clemson 10-meter line but were undone by poor communication and misplays.
In the second half, the Gamecocks found some offensive rhythm. Freshman wing Nick DuBois found space on the Tigers’ perimeter and scored a try that put the Gamecocks up 7-5 after the successful conversion by Kevin Lacy.
Another freshman, outside center Grant Ruhlen, intercepted a wayward Clemson backline pass five minutes later and rushed 25 meters for South Carolina’s second try.
The next 20 minutes was a slugfest. The Gamecocks fought desperately to put the Tigers away. But Clemson, which had not lost a 15s contest to South Carolina in more than a decade, wrestled momentum to their side by scoring a try in the corner with ten minutes remaining. The difficult conversion fell short.
Now South Carolina was on their back foot. The Tigers pressured the Gamecocks during the final desperate minutes. But the Gamecock defense would not bend.
South Carolina Head Coach John Roberts said solid defense and timely kicking proved the difference.
“Coming into the contest Clemson had outscored their opponents 110-5,” he said. “Our whole game plan was to charge their backline and forwards to prevent them from generating go-forward ball. Our scrum half (Jack Van Vliet) and flyhalf (Jack Chelly) also did a fine job with their boot.”
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