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Replies: 19
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Scout Team [196]
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We All Grew Up Last Night
Jan 1, 2013, 10:40 AM
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I've been a proud Clemson fan my entire life. I'm 24, so I didn't get to share in the glories of the 80's. Instead, my first memories of Clemson football are of a struggling program, Tommy Bowden, and Woodrow Dantzler. I can remember the days of Charlie Whitehurst, 63-17, and beating the Gamecocks every season, but I still hadn't tasted the sweetness of a real win against a great team... until last night.
Clemson's 25-24 Peach Bowl win against LSU marks the turn toward a new level of football for our Tigers. Just as it took many long years of mediocrity and stinging losses to build toward the glory of the 80's, so too did we endure, waiting for the day when Clemson would rise again, when all Tigers would take a step into history.
Together we stood, just hours ago, holding our breath, hoping for a chance at something big. We all said the same things.
"Tajh has to stay calm."
"Morris has got to run the ball!"
"We gotta play defense!"
And so we watched in trembling anticipation of what could happen. We felt so close to the edge, so close to defeat. But wait! The defense was impenetrable. Orange was flying through the LSU offensive line like birds through the air. They were unstoppable!
Then on came Boyd! Tajh was standing his ground and delivering the ball with surgical precision. Hopkins was as fast as lightning.
Touchdown! We were back! And we all stood there together, now with cheers and shouts; even in our living rooms we stood, taking up the Clemson banner, carrying our team on our backs.
We stood together, as one. We watched together, as one. We grew up together, as one, in that moment. We all grew up last night. Watching our team take on the mighty with the strength of Sampson, the bravery of David, we watched what seemed like our own children grow up.
Tajh became a man last night. The entire Clemson Tiger football team became men last night. So did we.
Years of struggle and disappointment. Moments where we have all questioned our allegiance, if we should really just give up. It all brought us here to this day, to this moment. Our moment. Together.
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Hall of Famer [22965]
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Good Story!
Jan 1, 2013, 10:49 AM
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and believe me us "old farts" LOVE seeing the tradition carried on to new generations!! We all hope this game signals the beginning of a wide-open future for the Tigers!
Thanks!!
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All-In [40929]
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This is exactly what the 80's felt like
Jan 1, 2013, 10:55 AM
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We didn't give up in the 4th when it was looking bad.
We absolutely KNEW Catman was going to hit the FG.
Back to back 10 win seasons.
But what makes this feel like the 80's is even after back to back best seasons that we have had in years...we are reloading. Next year looks great. We lose some great players, but we aren't worried at all because the next studs have been patiently working behind them learning.
Enjoy...
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Orange Blooded [2965]
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Re: We All Grew Up Last Night
Jan 1, 2013, 10:55 AM
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Some of us have been here a long time. I pull for the Tigers every year every game and hold my head high regardless!Welcome to the club! Woo Tigers!
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Scout Team [196]
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Re: We All Grew Up Last Night
Jan 1, 2013, 11:26 AM
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I really wish that I had been around for the glory days, but I'm also pretty happy with our situation these days. I'm just so glad to see our guys fighting and pulling out a tough win against a great program. I have never seen a Clemson team fight so hard for a win. It makes me so proud to be a Tiger. I can't wait for Georgia next season. We should be more than ready for whatever they bring.
Tell me though... were the defenses in the 80's really as tough as everybody talks about?
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Member [20]
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Letterman [253]
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Simple answer...
Jan 1, 2013, 12:18 PM
[ in reply to Re: We All Grew Up Last Night ] |
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Absolutely. There are complete games available on the internet from that era. One word describes Danny's defenses: Dominant. I saw some of that last night for the first time in a long, long while...
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Legend [16505]
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Scout Team [196]
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Re: Tougher!***
Jan 1, 2013, 1:41 PM
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I'm sure that we will see much more from this defense next season. Now that they have gotten a taste of what it feels like to give it your all, and now that they see what the fruits of your labor can be, I've got to believe they come back with the intent to trample Georgia, S. Carolina, and the rest of the ACC on their way to a BCS Bowl or maybe a NC game.
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CU Guru [1068]
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You have me chills.***
Jan 1, 2013, 12:23 PM
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110%er [7971]
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Agree with everything except I've never questioned my
Jan 1, 2013, 12:27 PM
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allegiance to Clemson.
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Scout Team [196]
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Re: Agree with everything except I've never questioned my
Jan 1, 2013, 12:35 PM
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I have to admit, I have doubted our Tigers in the past. I have never considered no longer being a Clemson fan; it's something that is almost engraved into my DNA. I did consider giving up on them at times. Not this season, but in 2010 I wasn't feeling too great. This season is a different animal altogether though. This is the kind of season that builds lasting allegiance in younger fans. I love it! 
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Orange Blooded [2006]
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!!!
Jan 1, 2013, 12:36 PM
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Danny ford always said his defense will hit you until they can't hit you anymore. He always wanted an aggressive defense.
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Scout Team [196]
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Re: !!!
Jan 1, 2013, 12:41 PM
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I'm glad we got to see that kind of thinking last night. The defense was flying to the ball like I've never seen a man in orange do before. I've seen other, elite, defenses swarm and hit and tackle the way we did against LSU. It was nice to see us do it for a change.
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Amateur [38]
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Re: We All Grew Up Last Night
Jan 1, 2013, 9:57 PM
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You should have been at the game. I sat in Section 230 Mezzanine Level. The so called Clemson fans in the seats below me sat on their fat ##### all night long. No standing and cheering the defense on 3rd down. No cheering on the offense. They just sat there like blobs.
I was so hoarse after the game I couldn't talk. These so called Clemson fans in Orange should be ashamed. Oh, they did finally stand up when Catman kicked the winning FG.
Why the hell did they pay money to come to the game if they we going to sit there like they were in church. Stay your ### home next time or take off the Orange. You don't deserve the privilege to wear Clemson Orange!
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Orange Blooded [4504]
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Really??? NOBODY in that whole section ever stood
Jan 1, 2013, 10:44 PM
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and cheered until the winning FG????
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Orange Blooded [4504]
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Excellent post but "moments where we have all questioned
Jan 1, 2013, 10:41 PM
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our allegiance". NEVER HAPPENED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Oculus Spirit [93667]
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"Moments where we have all questioned our allegiance,
Jan 1, 2013, 10:57 PM
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if we should really just give up."
You know, I grew up in the shadow of Neyland Stadium. Even after entering Clemson in 1983 I still wore the power "T" on my cap and heart. Soon it became evident to me that Clemson was where my heart belonged but I reserved a place for the faded orange of Tennessee.
The '03 Peach Bowl change that. I watched the game never once wishing anything but defeat on UcheaT. I had given my heart to Clemson many years prior to that but didn't know it until that night.
Now, if another team steals your heart I can understand. But I can't understand one giving up on his team because of adversity. We've seen our guys do that on the field just last year. Did you play on that Orange Bowl team? I sure am glad you didn't play in the Peach Bowl for Clemson this year.
Dan
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Orange Blooded [4668]
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Re: The Perry Brothers
Jan 1, 2013, 11:03 PM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Yt2yAzjUK8
I remember as a little kid, Woody Hayes punching the Clemson LB after he caught an interception that ended OSU hopes in the 4th quarter, as well as the Career of Coach Hayes.
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Scout Team [196]
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Re: We All Grew Up Last Night
Jan 2, 2013, 11:49 AM
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I guess I gave everybody the idea that I'm a lame fan and would quit on Clemson if things weren't going so well. Sorry. Lol.
Reality is that I have always faced up to the adversity that has come and gone. All my life I have watched our Tigers struggle to get over the hump, but after the win over LSU it feels like it was all worth it. Call it my moment of confirmation. That moment when it hits you that your loyalty and dedication has finally come to fruition. That win was my moment.
So, sorry if I came of as a disloyal crappy bandwagon jumper. Thanks for lighting me up on it though! Nice to see the passion run so deep.
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