On This Date: 1981 Clemson- 13 Tulane- 5

Sep 12, 2024, 8:54 AM

09/12/1981
New Orleans, LA (Superdome)

Clemson Tops Tulane, 13-5

By:LLOYD SCHWED

NEW ORLEANS -- Clemson's Bob Pauling drilled field goals of 31 and 37 yards in the fourth quarter Saturday and running sensation Cliff Austin bulled his way for a 7-yard touchdown to lead the Tigers to a 13-5 victory over a fumbling Tulane Green Wave.

The Green Wave turned over the ball a total of seven times in the game, which set up all of the Tigers' scoring opportunities.

Clemson provided Tulane with a golden opportunity midway through the third quarter when Chuck McSwain fumbled and the Green Wave recovered on the Tigers' 27.

Six plays later, however, sophomore quarterback Wade Elmore fired the ball into the end zone and safety Terry Kinard grabbed the interception.

Clemson quarterback Homer Jordon mixed the run with the pass to mount a smoothe, 54-yard drive to Tulane's 14, but the Green Wave held firm and Clemson was forced to settle for a 31-yard field goal from Pauling.

Two plays later, second string quarterback Paul Catanese threw an interception into the hands of safety Tim Childers, which Clemson converted into a 13-5 advantage on a 37-yard field goal by Pauling.

The first 10 minutes of the game were deadlocked with strong defensive domination, but quickly turned into a slip-shod free-for-all marred by five fumbles and two interceptions before the half.

Clemson benefitted most from the turnovers, however, picking off two interceptions and recovering two fumbles.

Tulane's Vince Manalla put the first points on the board with a 46-yard field goal that gave the Green Wave a 3-0 lead.

On the ensuing drive, Clemson couldn't move the ball and was forced to punt, but a bad snap skidded into the end zone and punter Dale Hatcher fell on top of the ball for a safety and a 5-0 Tulane lead.

Turnovers ended several scoring drives for both teams until Tulane half back Marvin Lewis fumbled on his own 25 midway into the second quarter.

Five plays later, Austin bulled his way for 5 yards and a 7-5 advantage, which held up until halftime. The Clemson speedster racked up a total of 60 hard-fought yards on 17 carries.

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Best Is The Standard

Is that the only time we've won in the Superdome? Never liked that place.***

I was there. Dale Hatcher hit the scoreboard on a punt before the game***

I was there. My wife & I flew over from Houston for the game. It was a sluggish affair, highlighted by me getting food poisoning from some alligator tail meat I ate on a Bourbon Street buffet bar. I awoke during the night sick as I have ever been in my life and dreaming that a HUGE guy with number 66 on his jersey was hovering over me. Then the next day, I destroyed a men's room at N.O. International Airport, then flew back to Houston wearing nothing but a pair of slacks and a golf shirt. The undergarments never made it out of the airport. Awful, awful experience.

After that game, if you had told me Clemson would go on to win a national championship, I would have laughed at you. They were really sleep walking on offense against Tulane but the defense carried them, as it did a lot that year. A year and a trip to remember.......or forget.

Re: On This Date: 1981 Clemson- 13 Tulane- 5

Yes, after struggling early against Wofford in the first game...

On This Date: 1981 Clemson- 13 Tulane- 5

Is that the only time we've won in the Superdome? Never liked that place.***

Re: Is that the only time we've won in the Superdome? Never liked that place.***

Also lost to LSU in Sugar Bowl at old Tulane stadium in 1958.***

Agreed Smack

I was there. Dale Hatcher hit the scoreboard on a punt before the game***

Re: On This Date: 1981 Clemson- 13 Tulane- 5

Re: On This Date: 1981 Clemson- 13 Tulane- 5

Yes, after struggling early against Wofford in the first game...

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