USC vs Clemson: Postgame Notes

by Press Release - Sat Nov 29 19:52:51 GMT-04:00 2008

Clemson leads the overall series against South Carolina by a 65-37-4 tally, and also leads in games played at Clemson 16-8-1. Today's game marked the 100th consecutive meeting between the schools, the third longest streak of consecutive years played in a rivalry in the nation.

With today's win over South Carolina, Clemson is bowl eligible and posted its ninth consecutive winning season. It also assures Clemson of a winning season for nine consecutive years, That establishes a Clemson record for consecutive winning seasons. Clemson had eight straight between 1977-84 before finishing 6-6 in 1985. Clemson is one of 12 Division I schools with nine consecutive winning seasons.

C.J. Spiller's first reception in the first quarter gave him the school record for receiving yardage by a running back in a season. The 23-yard reception gave him a total of 423 yards for the 2008 season. That total broke the previous record of 414 yards held by Travis Zachery in 2001. He finished the game with 35 receiving yards, for a season total of 430 yards.

James Davis recorded his third touchdown of day, and the 49th of his career at the 3:38 mark of the third quarter. It is the second game of the 2008 season in which Davis has scored three touchdowns, and the fifth game of his career. Earlier this season, he had three touchdowns against SC State. In 2007, he had four scores against NC State, and in 2006, he had four touchdowns against North Carolina and three against Temple. Davis is now just one touchdown behind Travis Zachery's career record of 50 set between 1998-01. He already has the school record for rushing touchdowns with 47.

Davis finished his day with 91 rushing yards on 24 carries. He also had 17 yards receiving. For the season, Davis has 725 yards on 159 carries with 11 touchdowns. He has 3,855 rushing yards for his career, and needs only 112 yards rushing to break Raymond Priester's career rushing record.

The punt block by Jamie Harper at 4:10 in the first quarter was the first blocked kick of the year for Clemson. In fact, the Tigers have blocked only three punts in the last two years and 25 games. All three of those blocked punts have occurred against the University of South Carolina. In 2007, Nelson Faerber and La'Donte Harris recorded punt blocks against the Gamecocks in Columbia.

Jacoby Ford's 50-yard touchdown reception at 8:33 in second quarter was the sixth career touchdown play of more than 50 yards for Ford, and the second 50+ yard touchdown reception for him against South Carolina. His other touchdown reception of greater than 50 yards against the Gamecocks was a 76-yard touchdown catch in Death Valley in 2006.

Michael Hamlin's interception in the second quarter marked his 14th career interception and moved him into sole possession of third on Clemson's career interception list. It was his 18th career turnover, good for second on Clemson's all-time list. Only Terry Kinard (1979-82), has more with 19.

Chris Chancellor recorded his second interception of the game at the 4:25 mark in the fourth quarter. It is the first game in which he has posted two interceptions. His first interception of today's game was at the 9:01 mark in the first quarter. He now owns four interceptions this season, with his other two picks against NC State and SC State. Chancellor has eight career interceptions to his credit and three have come against South Carolina. He had one last year in Columbia as well. Chancellor is the first Clemson player to have two interceptions in the same game against South Carolina since 2003 when Jamaal Fudge had two in Clemson's victory.

Clemons and Hamlin have now recorded at least one interception each in three games during their careers. In 2007, they each had interceptions against Furman and NC State.

Clemson had four interceptions today, the most by the Tigers against the Gamecocks since Clemson had a school record six in 1971 in a 17-7 Clemson victory. Clemson has now had 12 interceptions against South Carolina over the last four years, or since Steve Spurrier became South Carolina head coach. Vic Koenning has been Clemson's defensive coordinator in all four games.

Harper recorded his 500th pass completion at the 13:16 mark in the fourth quarter on a completion to classmate Tyler Grisham. He is only the second Clemson quarterback to record at least 500 pass completions during his career. Charlie Whitehurst is the only other Clemson quarterback to exceed the 500 completion mark, with 817 between 2002-05. His touchdown pass to Jacoby Ford was the 40th of his Clemson career.

Aaron Kelly recorded his 31st consecutive game with a reception. He has played in 50 career games at Clemson and has caught at least one pass in 49 of them. He needs just 23 receiving yards in a bowl game to become Clemson's career leader in reception yardage.

The Gamecocks amassed over 200 yards passing, breaking Clemson's streak of nine consecutive games in which the Tigers have held their opponent to fewer than 200 passing yards.

C.J. Spiller rushed for 88 yards on 16 attempts today and in three games against South Carolina he now has 331 yards rushing in 42 carries, an average of 7.9 yards per rush.

Davis finishes his career with 85 carries for 377 yards against South Carolina, a 4.4 average. Davis made the 42nd start of his career today, tying Raymond Priester for the Clemson record for most starts by a running back.

Chris Clemons, Aaron Kelly and Akeem Robinson all played in their 50th career games today, tying the Clemson school record. The only other Tiger in history to play 50 games is Greg Walker, an offensive lineman, who played 50 between 2000-03.

Today was the third consecutive game that Michael Hamlin has had an interception and he finishes the regular season with six. The Clemson record for consecutive games with an interception is four set by Bobby Gage (1948), Terry Kinard (1980-81) and Dexter Davis (1990). He could tie the mark with an interception in a bowl game.

With Clemson's victory today, it means the team with two weeks to prepare has lost each of the last three games in the Clemson vs. South Carolina series. Clemson had two weeks to prepare in 2006 and lost, and South Carolina has had two weeks to prepare the last two years and lost.

Dabo Swinney is now 4-0 this year when he has a starting offensive line of Chris Hairston, Thomas Austin, Bobby Hutchinson, Mason Cloy and Landon Walker.

C.J. Spiller gained 199 all-purpose running yards today and now has 4726 for his career. He needs just 114 in the bowl game to become Clemson's career leader. Derrick Hamilton had 4839 between 2001-03. Spiller still has another year of eligibility. Hamilton accomplished his record in three years.

Clemson has now won each of its last five season-ending games when it has had to gain victory to become bowl eligible. It is the fourth straight time Clemson has done it against South Carolina in that stretch. The Tigers also beat Duke in 2001 to become bowl eligible in the regular season finale. The steak dates to the 1997 season.