Instant Analysis: Offense and fog roll as Clemson wins fifth in a row over Gamecocks

Trevor Lawrence runs for yardage against the Gamecocks

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sat Nov 24 22:51:32 GMT-05:00 2018

CLEMSON – As a dense fog blanketed Death Valley, Clemson’s offense rolled on as the Tigers defeated the Gamecocks for the fifth consecutive time.

The Clemson defense didn’t have its best day, but it didn’t matter as the offense racked up 744 yards in Clemson (12-0 overall, 8-0 ACC) 56-35 over South Carolina (6-5, 4-4 SEC).

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Adam Choice, who has battled injuries nearly his entire career, saved his best game for last. The senior running back out of Georgia picked up the tough yards when Clemson needed them most. He carried the ball seven times for 56 yards and three touchdowns.

1A…Trevor Lawrence had a career day and outside of the fumble between he and the running back late in the fourth quarter, he had the best game of his career. Lawrence finished the game completing 27-of-36 passes for 393 yards and a touchdown.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME: Isaiah Simmons was all over the field for Clemson Saturday night. With a struggling secondary and South Carolina playing four and five wide receiver sets, Simmons was counted on in pass defense. He totaled 10 tackles (7 solo).

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED:

*Goal Line Stand: The Gamecocks once again drove down the field and had the ball inside the Clemson goal. Facing a 4th-and-goal at the Clemson three, the Gamecocks elected to go for the touchdown instead of the field goal, but Bentley’s pass to Bryan Edwards was high, and the Tigers took over on downs.

*Goal Line Stand II: The Gamecocks once again put together a nice drive, but were once again stopped on fourth down, this time at the Clemson two. With 98 yards to go, the Tigers put together another record scoring drive, covering 98 yards in 11 soul-sucking plays for the Gamecocks. The dagger was added on a 15-yard run by Choice, and Clemson led 49-21 with 12:06 to play in the game. The touchdown was the 41st rushing touchdown of the season for the Tigers, a program record.

*Night Cap: Clemson took over with just over three minutes on the clock and drove down the field for one final score. Travis Etienne rumbled into the endzone for his second touchdown of the game.

STAT OF THE GAME: Both quarterbacks set rivalry records. Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence threw for 393 yards, a Clemson record against South Carolina. With 455 yards passing, Jake Bentley broke Tommy Moody’s record for most yards passing against Clemson.

UP NEXT:

Clemson travels to Charlotte for the ACC Championship Game against Pittsburgh. The Panthers lost in blowout fashion, 24-0 to Miami Saturday afternoon. The game will kick off at 8 p.m.

South Carolina hosts Akron in a makeup game after Hurricane Florence caused its game with Marshall to be canceled.