Written By: James Leyva
CLEMSON, SC, The 114th meeting between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers, known as the “Palmetto Bowl,” ended up being beautiful night for the Tigers. For the third straight year, the Clemson Tigers routed their arch rival South Carolina Gamecocks, 56 to 7. This victory now gives the Tigers their fourth 11 win season out of the last five years. South Carolina is bowl eligible having a 6-6 record, but once again, fell victim to Clemson. Clemson senior quarterback Deshaun Watson and his fellow seniors had a memorable night that they will likely never forget.
The Palmetto Bowl game is the rivalry between the two major universities of South Carolina, Clemson and South Carolina. Neither team was willing to let the other one have bragging rights, or the Palmetto Bowl Trophy. The Gamecocks came into this stadium hoping to spoil Clemson playoff chances. However, Clemson came out with a bang and was ready to answer the bell against the Gamecocks by jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Clemson has not scored this many points in the first quarter since 2003, when Tigers faced the Gamecocks in Columbia.
South Carolina’s confidence was shattered at the end of the first quarter and could not stop Watson, or the Tigers’ offense from putting a record 622 yards of total offense. This was the most ever yards gained by one team in the rivalry. Watson had his best performance in his last home game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. He completed 26 of 32 passes, 347 yards and six touchdowns for the second time in his career (which ties his own record against North Carolina 2014).
Clemson wide receiver Artavis Scott had eight catches for 77 yards, one touchdown and had the longest punt return of the year, 28 yards. Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams had a huge night as well, with six receptions for 100 yards and three touchdowns, which is the most any receiver ever had against the Gamecocks.
Williams said after the game “It felt great you know, we felt like we had some opportunities, he threw up and I made some plays.”
Watson now has over 4,000 all-purpose yards for the season, in passing and rushing. He is also still in the Heisman Trophy conversation, but all that matter to him is winning football games.
“I guess so it’s kinda out of my control,” Watson said. “I kinda I figured that out last year, I don't make that decision, certain people do, it’s the voters and people they have board trustees with the Heisman and the voters. Hopefully I did something, but at the end of the day I just try to focus on getting the W, a couple weeks to decide, so I'm blessed to be part of the conversation.”
Clemson lead the Gamecocks 42-0 at halftime, but it was not over yet for Clemson. The offense went back to work and Watson went 8-8, for 106 yards and two touchdowns to make it 49-7. Running back Wayne Gallman finished his senior night with 19 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown. This was Gallman’s 17th career 100 yard rushing game. The Gamecocks had no answer on defense and Clemson continue to dominate until about six minutes left in the game, when Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney decided to give Watson and the seniors their moment of thank you and the crowd gave them a standing ovation as they came off the field for the last time.
Swinney stated, “ to have another game, a home game, these guys played awesome, you know if you gonna win a championship, your best players have to play. I’m of this team and I’m proud of our guys.”
The 2016 Clemson Tiger senior class has 46 wins together and look to continue with a showdown in Orlando, FL in the ACC Championship game against the Virginia Tech Hokies. This will be their second ACC championship game in a row and if they win, they will likely be in the College Football Playoff. As far South Carolina goes, they have a 6-6 record so they will go to a bowl game That has yet to be determined.
The Palmetto Bowl game is the rivalry between the two major universities of South Carolina, Clemson and South Carolina. Neither team was willing to let the other one have bragging rights, or the Palmetto Bowl Trophy. The Gamecocks came into this stadium hoping to spoil Clemson playoff chances. However, Clemson came out with a bang and was ready to answer the bell against the Gamecocks by jumping out to a 21-0 lead in the first quarter. Clemson has not scored this many points in the first quarter since 2003, when Tigers faced the Gamecocks in Columbia.
South Carolina’s confidence was shattered at the end of the first quarter and could not stop Watson, or the Tigers’ offense from putting a record 622 yards of total offense. This was the most ever yards gained by one team in the rivalry. Watson had his best performance in his last home game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. He completed 26 of 32 passes, 347 yards and six touchdowns for the second time in his career (which ties his own record against North Carolina 2014).
Clemson wide receiver Artavis Scott had eight catches for 77 yards, one touchdown and had the longest punt return of the year, 28 yards. Clemson wide receiver Mike Williams had a huge night as well, with six receptions for 100 yards and three touchdowns, which is the most any receiver ever had against the Gamecocks.
Williams said after the game “It felt great you know, we felt like we had some opportunities, he threw up and I made some plays.”
Watson now has over 4,000 all-purpose yards for the season, in passing and rushing. He is also still in the Heisman Trophy conversation, but all that matter to him is winning football games.
“I guess so it’s kinda out of my control,” Watson said. “I kinda I figured that out last year, I don't make that decision, certain people do, it’s the voters and people they have board trustees with the Heisman and the voters. Hopefully I did something, but at the end of the day I just try to focus on getting the W, a couple weeks to decide, so I'm blessed to be part of the conversation.”
Clemson lead the Gamecocks 42-0 at halftime, but it was not over yet for Clemson. The offense went back to work and Watson went 8-8, for 106 yards and two touchdowns to make it 49-7. Running back Wayne Gallman finished his senior night with 19 carries for 118 yards and one touchdown. This was Gallman’s 17th career 100 yard rushing game. The Gamecocks had no answer on defense and Clemson continue to dominate until about six minutes left in the game, when Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney decided to give Watson and the seniors their moment of thank you and the crowd gave them a standing ovation as they came off the field for the last time.
Swinney stated, “ to have another game, a home game, these guys played awesome, you know if you gonna win a championship, your best players have to play. I’m of this team and I’m proud of our guys.”
The 2016 Clemson Tiger senior class has 46 wins together and look to continue with a showdown in Orlando, FL in the ACC Championship game against the Virginia Tech Hokies. This will be their second ACC championship game in a row and if they win, they will likely be in the College Football Playoff. As far South Carolina goes, they have a 6-6 record so they will go to a bowl game That has yet to be determined.