CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17

Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17


by - Staff Writer -

CLEMSON - Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17

Another year, same results.

The South Carolina Gamecocks beat Clemson in all three phases of the game- offense, defense, and special teams for the fourth straight season. The last time the Tigers lost to South Carolina four in a row was from 1951-1954.

The Gamecocks outgained the Tigers 444 yards to 306 in total offense.

The South Carolina defense sacked quarterback Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Jr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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six times and forced two interceptions.

What went right: After giving up a third-and-fourteen, Josh WatsonJosh Watson
RS So. Defensive Tackle
#91 6-4, 285
Wilmington, DE

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knocked the Gamecocks out of field goal range on the next third-and-long by sacking quarterback Dylan Thompson in the first quarter.

After being stopped on their first possession, the Tigers marched methodically down the field on a 16-play, 85-yard touchdown drive for the first points of the game. Three of the four third down conversions on the drive were runs by Tajh Boyd.

On Clemson’s third possession, Hot Rod McDowell outran Jadeveon Clowney to the edge for 32 yards behind the blocking of Charone PeakeCharone Peake
So. Wide Receiver
#19 6-3, 200
Moore, SC

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. On the next snap, Boyd found Nuk Hopkins down the sideline for a 42-yard touchdown.

With 1:22 to go in the first quarter, the Tigers had 163 yards of total offense surpassing the Clemson’s total last year against South Carolina (153 yards).

To end the first quarter, the Tigers forced South Carolina into its first three-and-out of the game. On third down, the Gamecocks for flagged for unnecessary roughness- flag that couldn’t come quick enough with the South Carolina players getting a little too chippy.

After the offense sputtered to begin the second quarter, punter Spencer BentonSpencer Benton
RS Sr. Punter / Kicker
#13 6-1, 195
Myrtle Beach, SC

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had arguably his best punt of the season to pin the Gamecocks on the nine-yard line.

Thompson launched a pass and Peters dropped an interception on the underthrown pass, but Corey CrawfordCorey Crawford
So. Defensive End
#93 6-5, 270
Columbus, GA

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made up for it with a 12-yard sack. Thompson followed the sack with an incomplete pass forcing another South Carolina punt.

Midway through the second quarter, Ellington had 10 carries for 45 yards taking him over 1,000 yards for the season.

After Boyd’s interception, the Clemson defense held forcing a punt and giving the Tigers offense one more opportunity in the first half to score.

The Tigers finally gained some positive momentum on offense capped off with a 37-yard Chandler CatanzaroChandler Catanzaro
RS Jr. Punter / Kicker
#39 6-2, 195
Greenville, SC

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field goal for Clemson’s first points in the second half.

After two controversial pass interference calls, the Clemson defense finally caught a break with a Xavier BrewerXavier Brewer
Gr. Defensive Back
#9 5-11, 190
Jacksonville, FL

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interception in the endzone to prevent the Gamecocks from extending their lead.

What went wrong: After stopping the Gamecocks on third down, the Clemson special teams weren’t ready, forcing the Tigers to burn an early time out.

Inside the redzone, Thompson found Bruce Ellington in the endzone when Garry PetersGarry Peters
RS So. Defensive Back
#26 6-0, 195
Conyers, GA

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failed to turn around for South Carolina’s first touchdown of the game. Thompson was four-for-four for 56 yards on the drive.

South Carolina’s passing attack accounted for 164 yards of its 183 yards of total offense. The Gamecocks were four-of-eight on fourth down.

Tajh Boyd launched a downfield pass late in the first half just as he was being drilled by Aldrick Fordham and the pass was underthrown and intercepted by DeVonte Holloman- his third interception against Clemson.

After a holding call, the Gamecocks had the ball on third down and 16 yards, but Thompson found Bruce Ellington for a 34-yard touchdown giving South Carolina its first lead of the game.

After a three-and-out by the Tigers, the Clemson defense allowed the Gamecocks to march down the field, but held for a field goal after the help of two holding calls.

The Clemson defense forces a fourth down and Rashard HallRashard Hall
Gr. Safety
#31 6-2, 210
St. Augustine, FL

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seemed to have broken up the play, but the Gamecocks were bailed out by a questionable pass interference call that kept the drive alive.

The Clemson defense again held on third down- tipping a pass that fell to the ground- but the Gamecocks benefited from yet another controversial pass interference call.

With pressure in his face again, Boyd threw a pick to give the ball back to South Carolina and put an already tired and struggling defense back on the field.

After a holding call, the Gamecocks faced a third-and-20, and Thompson ran the 20 yards before stepping out of bounds to pick up the first down on the seven yard line that lead to a South Carolina touchdown.

With less than three minutes remaining in the game, Clemson opted to punt on fourth-and-16 and down 10 points.

Hopkins, Sammy WatkinsSammy Watkins
So. Wide Receiver
#2 6-1, 205
Fort Myers, FL

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and Jaron BrownJaron Brown
Gr. Wide Receiver
#18 6-2, 205
Cheraw, SC

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combined for eight catches.

Turning Point of the Game:South Carolina received the ball to open the second half and marched down the field on a 10-play, 85 yard touchdown drive that gave the Gamecocks a lead that they would never relinquish.

Stat of the Game: The Gamecocks held the ball for almost 40 minutes after converting 12-of-20 third downs.

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Subject (Replies: 25) Author
spacer Front Page Story: Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17
B-Meist®
spacer Terrible***
jba6ch®
spacer We just got Chad a little longer
jba6ch®
spacer What happened to the screens and short passes to Hopkins and
fish1228
spacer Amen to that!
diePranke
spacer Where the F was #2, #6, #80?***
jba6ch®
spacer Instant analysis... We got beat in all three phases. EOStory***
jba6ch®
spacer Re: Instant analysis... We got beat in all three phases. EOStory***
TigerRagRock
spacer Absolutely disgraceful.
PGTiger
spacer Re: Absolutely disgraceful.
XMAN4708
spacer looking forward to the bowl game....***
tigrecalvo®
spacer Re: looking forward to the bowl game....***
tigrecalvo®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17***
jba6ch®
spacer At least they did not impregnate any of our cheerleaders
jba6ch®
spacer Re: At least they did not impregnate any of our cheerleaders
ClemLover®
spacer Re: At least they did not impregnate any of our cheerleaders
dgcannon39
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17
hiten_tigernet
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17
tigrecalvo®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17
dgcannon39
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17
RBUsoldier27®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17
tigrecalvo®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17
leftie
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Instant Analysis: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17
icebucket®
spacer usc plays mean and nasty we play like acc cupcakes again***
corderboy
spacer Re: usc plays mean and nasty we play like acc cupcakes again***
ConfederateTigerFan
spacer next year we can be 10 and 0 so what***
corderboy