The 1951 Orange Bowl, the Animatronic Tiger, and Clemson's Mascot

This week during the Way Back Wednesday edition of the show, Clemson historian Sam Blackman gives us a look at Clemson and Miami, plus we learn the history of Clemson's animatronic Tiger in the East End Zone and the first time Clemson's Tiger mascot made his appearance.

We begin with some notes from Sam on Clemson's thrilling Orange Bowl win in 1951 over Miami.

“One of my favorite stories was playing against Miami in the 1951 Orange Bowl. Clemson finished the 1950 season with a 8-0-1 mark and they were invited to the Orange Bowl. Some people thought, 'Why invite Clemson? They're a small school. We can get somebody better or bigger.'"

"Clemson really showed why they were invited. They were a small underdog in the game, but Clemson finished second in the Southern Conference and Miami was 9-0-1 coming into the game. This marked the second undefeated season for the Clemson Tigers in 3 years as the 1948 team went 11-0."

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"After a scoreless first quarter, Clemson got on track with a 45-yard touchdown pass from Billy Hair to Bob Hudson. That put the Tigers on the Miami one, and Fred Cone capped the drive with a touchdown."

"Then Clemson mounted another drive in the third quarter for their second touchdown, but Clemson missed the extra point. Miami caught fire two minutes later and took a 14-13 lead."

"So a little later on, Clemson's Sterling Smith caught the Miami ball player behind the goal line and he said it was 'The most memorable play of his career'. Smith said that he, 'held on for dear life' to the Miami player, Frank Smith. So Sterling Smith tackling Frank Smith for the safety and Clemson would hold on to win this exciting Orange Bowl game 15-14 over the University of Miami."

Listen to the full interview with Sam Blackman above.