Freshmen rain "sixes" on Gamecocks in 35-17 thumping |
CLEMSON – The butane heaters on South Carolina’s sideline caught on fire three hours before kickoff Saturday morning, and the fire was never extinguished as Clemson’s freshmen-led offense burned the Gamecock defense time and time again, ending South Carolina’s five-game winning streak with a resounding 35-17 victory in Death Valley.
Three freshmen led the Clemson offensive attack and Clemson’s defense stood tall time after time on Saturday, and the Tigers ended South Carolina’s five-game winning streak in the series with a convincing 35-17 victory over the Gamecocks in Death Valley.
Wayne Gallman South Carolina had trimmed Clemson’s lead to 28-17 midway through the fourth quarter, but Gallman led the Tigers down the field and Watson capped the win with a one-yard plunge that effectively ended South Carolina’s hopes. The win was the 66th in the series for the Tigers, and dropped South Carolina's record to 6-6 on the season. South Carolina was forced to punt on its first possession, and the Tigers took over at their own three. A couple of quick passes by Watson and strong running by Gallman put the Tigers in Gamecock territory, but
Ammon Lakip The Gamecocks made the Tigers pay, marching down the field and getting a 20-yard touchdown run from Pharoh Cooper for a 7-0 lead with just under four minutes remaining in the first quarter. It didn’t take the Tigers long to answer, however. Watson hit
Mike Williams The Tigers then tried an onside kick and appeared to recover it – Williams snatched it out of midair – but it was ruled that the Gamecocks called for a fair catch and Clemson was penalized 15 yards and Carolina took over in Clemson territory. The defense held, however, and forced a South Carolina punt. One drive later,
Vic Beasley Clemson forced a 3-and-out, and the Tigers once again took the football straight down the field, scoring on a one-yard run by Watson for a 21-7 lead with just under five minutes remaining before the half. Clemson got the ball back with just over three minutes remaining in the half, and appeared to be driving to extend the lead. However, Watson went to the sideline and was replaced by Stoudt, who promptly threw an interception that led to a South Carolina field goal and Clemson led 21-10 at halftime. The teams traded punts to begin the third quarter, but South Carolina’s second drive saw them march into Clemson territory. However, kicker Elliott Fry missed a 47-yard field goal and the Tigers quickly made the Gamecocks pay. On the very next play, Watson once again flipped a short pass to Scott and Scott raced 70 yards down the left sideline – almost stepping out of bounds twice – for the touchdown that made it 28-10 late in the third quarter. South Carolina used a 46-yard pass play to march into Clemson territory, setting up a critical series of events. Facing 3rd-and-9 on the Clemson 29, Thompson threw the ball out of bounds, and linebacker
Stephone Anthony Two possessions later, South Carolina scored its first touchdown since the first quarter, getting a 12-yard pass from Thompson to Damiere Byrd that made it 28-17 with 7:49 left in the contest. At that point, the Tigers needed a statement drive and they got it. The Tigers took over at their own 25-yard line, and Gallman and the offensive line took it on their shoulders to end the game. They did, capping it off with Watson’s one-yard plunge. 
Wayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 209
Loganville, GA
View Full Profile
rushed for a season and career-high 191 yards,
Deshaun Watson
Deshaun Watson
Fr. Quarterback
#4 6-3, 204
Gainesville, GA
View Full Profile
threw for 269 yards and
Artavis Scott
Artavis Scott
Fr. Wide Receiver
#3 5-11, 190
Oldsmar, FL
View Full Profile
had six catches for 182 yards, marking the first time Clemson has had a 200-yard passer, a 180-yard rusher and 180-yard receiver in the same game. 
Ammon Lakip
RS Jr. Kicker
#36 5-10, 200
Alpharetta, GA
View Full Profile
missed a 47-yard field goal. 
Mike Williams
So. Wide Receiver
#7 6-5, 208
Vance, SC
View Full Profile
for 25 yards on third down at the beginning of the drive, and two plays later Artavis Scott took a flip pass from Watson and scampered 53 untouched yards into the end zone for the tying score. 
Vic Beasley
RS Sr. Defensive End
#3 6-2, 236
Adairsville, GA
View Full Profile
sacked Dylan Thompson and forced a fumble – the seventh time he has forced a fumble on a sack in his career – and
Ben Boulware
Ben Boulware
So. Outside Linebacker
#10 5-11, 235
Anderson, SC
View Full Profile
recovered at the South Carolina 36-yard line. Gallman took it 31 yards to the South Carolina five, and then took it the rest of the way on the next play for a 14-7 Clemson lead. 
Stephone Anthony
Sr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 244
Polkton, NC
View Full Profile
took one step and pushed Thompson to the ground. The official threw a flag for roughing the quarterback on Anthony, and Anthony was then ejected for “targeting” when the officials deemed Anthony’s helmet hit Thompson’s. Mike Davis followed that up with a 12--yard rush to the Clemson two, but Thompson threw two incomplete passes, rushed for a one-yard loss and
Garry Peters
Garry Peters
RS Sr. Cornerback
#26 6-0, 194
Conyers, GA
View Full Profile
broke up the pass in the end zone on fourth down to deny South Carolina points. Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
----------------- -- -- -- -- -----
Upgrade Your Account
Unlock premium boards and exclusive features (e.g. ad-free) by upgrading your account today.
Upgrade Now
