Instant Analysis: No. 3 Clemson 38, South Carolina 3
COLUMBIA, S.C. — The No. 3 ranked Clemson Tigers cruised to their 6th consecutive win over South Carolina for the first time since a seven-game winning streak from 1934-1940.
By virtue of the 38-3 margin, Clemson extended their winning streak by 30 or more points to seven, which ties Michigan (1976) and Houston (2011) for the longest such streaks in the AP Poll era (since 1936).
The win marked Clemson’s 27th straight victory and second consecutive undefeated regular season. The Tigers (12-0, 8-0) will face Virginia (9-3, 6-2) in the ACC Championship at 7:30 PM next weekend in Charlotte on ABC.
The game was over when…
South Carolina stopped Clemson on downs at the one-yard line on the Tigers' opening drive, but after quickly getting the ball back, thanks to a Derion Kendrick interception, the Clemson offense got going.
The Tigers jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead after Trevor Lawrence and Tee Higgins hooked up on scoring plays from 10 and 65 yards. From that moment forward, the Gamecocks never threatened.
After a 4-yard Parker White field goal, Clemson raced 90 yards on nine plays extending their lead. During the drive, Lawrence was 8-of-8 for 90 yards while tossing his third touchdown, this one to Justyn Ross, giving Clemson a 21-3 lead.
The Tigers would tack on a 46-yard BT Potter field goal before taking a 24-3 lead to the half.
They stole the show...
Trevor Lawrence’s skills were on display throughout the game as Clemson’s signal-caller not only racked up 295 yards and three touchdowns through the air but also rushed for 66 yards on eight attempts showcasing his ability to run the ball as well.
Lawrence, who had been criticized from afar for his play early in the season, had a stretch 18 consecutive completions in the game.
At the end of the third quarter, Lawrence had a ball batted down by a South Carolina’s Israel Mukuamu, to which Clemson’s quarterback jogged over and gave him a high-five for his effort on the play. It was a subtle tip-of-the-cap, but also an indicator of the groove that Lawrence knew he had been playing with the entire afternoon.
Matchup of the game…
The Tigers defense had been outstanding all season, and Brent Venables’ group did exactly as we expected throwing multiple looks at South Carolina’s young quarterback Ryan Hilinski.
Clemson’s defense held the Gamecocks to just 174 yards and 3 points on the day. The performance had to make Brent Venables proud given what took place a year ago when South Carolina blistered the Tigers for over 600 total yards and 35 points.
The Tigers were relentless upfront, winning the day at the line of scrimmage and dictating the pace of play en route to another win in the Palmetto Bowl.