On This Date: 2014 (21)Clemson- 35 South Carolina- 17

Nov 28, 2021, 12:33 PM

11/29/2014
Death Valley, SC

The Legend of Deshaun Watson: Clemson Beats Gamecocks Behind Hobbled Watson

Deshaun Watson added his name to Clemson lore by winning the Palmetto Bowl and ending the streak, despite a serious knee injury. His gutsy performance shall be chronicled with those of legends past.

Deshaun Watson and the Clemson Tigers etched their names into the history books. Their rivals owned a five game win streak, despite being the vastly inferior program historically. The Gamecocks had 17 fewer conference titles, no national titles, and over 100 fewer total wins, but were experiencing the greatest stretch in their history. They had beaten the best quarterback the Tigers have thrown at them (Tajh Boyd) since #4 Steve Fuller all three times they faced him and chipped into Clemson's then 65-42-4 record in the rivalry.

Clemson was having a pedestrian season, losing to Florida State early which boxed them out of a conference championship shot, and losing to both Georgia and Georgia Tech. In the Georgia Tech game, Clemson was dominating early, but just before Watson could lead the Tigers into the end zone for a 10-0 lead, he suffered a non-contact knee injury, later diagnosed as a sprained LCL and bone bruise. Cole Stoudt would come in and have the worst game of his career, throwing three interceptions - two returned for touchdowns - and finishing with just 19 passing yards. Clemson lost handily, meaning the only way Clemson could view their season as a success in any way would be to beat South Carolina and end the streak.

Watson did not play in the succeeding game against Georgia State, which Clemson won 28-0 behind a great defensive performance and budding run game. The following week was filled with injury updates and news on Watson's progress. Would he play against the #####? Everyone wanted to know.

Dabo seemingly tipped his hand by saying he looked good in progress and could play. On the day before the game he listed Watson as probable, seemingly showing his hand. Sure enough, Watson came out for the first series and Clemson's offense looked electric, moving through the much-maligned Gamecock defense. The Tigers ran out to a 21-7 lead late in the second quarter.

Clemson's offense then came out without Watson, whose leg was giving him issues. The ensuing drive was brief, ending in an interception that the Gamecocks turned into a field goal. Clemson kneeled on their next drive to take it into halftime, leaving fans hoping Watson could return.

Watson wanted to play, despite the pain, and returned for the second half. Clemson leaned on their running game, but the threat of Watson's laser accuracy as well as some clutch third down throws salted the game away.

Watson's injury was worse than we knew. Not only was he playing with a sprained LCL and bone bruise, but he suffered an ACL injury in practice. Dabo never let this hit the media, never letting Coach Spurrier know quite how limited Deshaun Watson really was.

Watson, wearing Steve Fuller's iconic #4 jersey, finished 14/19 with 269 passing yards, two passing touchdowns, and no interceptions. Maybe more amazing, he also rushed for two scores.

In his support was true freshman Artavis Scott who finished with 185 passing yards and two TDs, redshirt freshman Wayne "Train" Gallman who ran for a career high 191 yards, and an offensive line that broke from season-long struggles to clear running lanes and allow zero sacks.

The win gave Clemson their first victory over Steve Spurrier since Dabo Swinney was an interim coach in 2008 and moved to the Tigers to 9-3. It dropped South Carolina to 6-6, ending their run of greatness and shifting the rivalry back to where it had been for the 111 years prior. The win moved Clemson to 66-42-4 in the history of the Palmetto Bowl.

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On This Date: 2014 (21)Clemson- 35 South Carolina- 17

Re: On This Date: 2014 (21)Clemson- 35 South Carolina- 17

That year we had that Jet Sweep down to a science. Oklahoma

We really missed #3 this year (Scott or Rodgers). Just did

Re: On This Date: 2014 (21)Clemson- 35 South Carolina- 17

TigerBoard POTD