Re: Hill Watch...81 days!!!

In 1981, Head Coach Danny Ford led the Clemson program – including Clemson fans – to believe that Clemson was capable of greatness beyond what fans had previously believed.

Arguably:
That season did more to change the program than anything else before or since! It was the first (but Not the last) National Championship! The program has been forever changed!

A few interesting facts about the season from ClemsonTigers.com:

“Clemson did not receive a single point in the preseason AP poll, then went on to win the national title. The 1981 team is the only one to go from “pointless” to national champion in FBS history. Five other schools have gone from unranked to champion (Brigham Young in 1984, Miami (Fla.) in 1983, Southern California in 1962, Minnesota in 1960, LSU in 1958), but only Clemson has accomplished the feat without a preseason poll point.
…
Danny Ford was just 33 years old when Clemson won the national title, still the youngest head coach to do so in history. Bud Wilkinson was 34 when he took Oklahoma to the title in 1950.”
…
The Tigers forced 41 turnovers that season, still a school record even though Clemson has played as many as 15 games in subsequent seasons. The record of 3.4 turnovers forced per game may stand forever.”

https://clemsontigers.com/1981-national-champions/

Highlight video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKLcfn20KYs

If you like a longer video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWer4dJ_7Po

Season Results:

September 5: Clemson 45 Wofford 10 (at Clemson)
September 12: Clemson 13 Tulane 5 (at New Orleans)
September 19: Clemson 13 #4 UGa 3 (at Clemson)

October 3: #14 Clemson 21 Kentucky 3 (at Lexington)
October 10: #9 Clemson 27 UVa 0 (at Clemson)
October 17: # 6 Clemson 38 Duke 10 (at Durham)
October 24: #4 Clemson 17 NC St 7 (at Clemson)
October 31: #3 Clemson 82 Wake Forest 24 (at Clemson)

November 7: #2 Clemson 10 #8 UNC 8 (at Chapel Hill)
November 14: #2 Clemson 21 Maryland 7 (at Clemson)
November 21: #2 Clemson 29 S.Car 13 (At Columbia)

January 1 (‘82): #1 Clemson 22 #4 Nebraska 15 (at Miami)

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81 - Pittsburgh Steelers Select Ray Matthews with Pick 81 in 1951 NFL Draft

Jun 11, 2024, 6:27 AM

Ray Matthews (1947-1950) was a two-sport star at Clemson. He played baseball and football for the Tigers before a long and highly acclaimed NFL career. That NFL career even culminated later into being enshrined in the Pittsburgh Steelers Hall of Honors.

At Clemson:

Ray Matthews played offense and defense for the Tigers. According to Wikipedia, he played on TWO undefeated Clemson teams:

Mathews attended McKeesport Area High School, before moving on to Clemson University, where he played baseball and football. He was the starting halfback in a backfield that included Fred Cone.

The 1948 team finished undefeated and beat the University of Missouri, 24-23, in the 1949 Gator Bowl.

As a senior, he was a part of another undefeated season and played in the 1951 Orange Bowl, beating the University of Miami 15–14. He made an acrobatic reception for one of the touchdowns.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ray_Mathews

According to Sports Illustrated, Matthews registered some impressive stats for Clemson:

“Mathews, who played at Clemson from 1947-'50, led the Tigers with 13 touchdowns in 1948. He also led the Tigers with 646 rushing yards and averaged a team-best 5.7 yards per carry.

Despite playing with other Clemson legends like Fred Cone and Bobby Gage, Mathews led Clemson with 728 rushing yards in 1949 and threw the football for 487 yards. He also led the team with a 6.0 yards per carry average.

An all-around player, Mathews also led Clemson in interceptions in 1947 and 1948. His five interceptions in 1948 were a single-season record at the time. He also led the team in kickoff return yards.

Mathews played a role in a lot of big wins for the Tigers. In Week 9 of the 1948 season, he scored on a 1-yard run to beat Auburn, 7-6, preserving Clemson's perfect season.

He also made an acrobatic catch for a touchdown in the Tigers' 15-14 victory over Miami in the 1951 Orange Bowl Classic. Clemson finished that season 9-0-1.”

https://www.si.com/college/clemson/football/clemson-star-named-to-steelers-hall-of-honors-class-of-2022

After Clemson;

The Pittsburgh Steelers selected Ray Matthews with the 81st Pick of the 1951 NFL Draft. He played 9 seasons (1951-1959) with the Steelers. He then played one season (1960) with the Dallas Cowboys. According to Pro-Football-Reference.com, Matthews registered the following NFL statistics:

Ray Matthews (1951-1960):
- 233 Receptions 3,963 Yards (17.0 Average)
- 34 Receiving Touchdowns
- 300 Carries for 1,057 Yards
- 5 Rushing Touchdowns
- 19 Pass Completions for 350 Yards
- 2 Passing Touchdowns
- 61 Punt Returns for 779 Yards
- 3 Punt Returns for Touchdowns
- 42 Kick Returns for 1,069 Yards
- 2 Interceptions on Defense for 17 Return Yards
- 1 for 1 in Extra Point Kicks

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/MathRa00.htm

Wow! Just, Wow!

Sports Illustrated added the following info on Ray Matthews’ career after his playing days ended:

“He later became a teacher and resided in Marion, Penn., where he passed away on December 20, 2015 at the age of 86.”

https://www.si.com/college/clemson/football/clemson-star-named-to-steelers-hall-of-honors-class-of-2022

In 1978, Ray Matthews was inducted into the Clemson Athletic Hall of Fame.

In 2022, Ray Mattews was inducted into the Steelers’ Hall of Honors Class of 2022.

Scott_Rhymer®’s Tiger Tailgate Show video recap of Ray Matthews:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WSxi6FftvQE

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Clemson: Academic Excellence! Athletic Excellence!

Hill Watch...81 days!!!