USC strikes first in the second half to take its first lead of the night. Thompson hit Ace Sanders on third and 16 with a 34 yard scoring pass. Sanders caught the pass in the middle of the field around the ten and juked his way past Clemson defenders and into the end zone. Thompson had a 31 yard strike to Nick Jones earlier in the drive. It was a 10 play, 80 yard drive for the Gamecocks. USC 17-14.
Clemson went three and out on its first possession of the half and USC went down the field for another score as Yates booted a 43 yard field goal. The Gamecocks had a third and one at the Clemson 16 but a holding call set them back ten yards and Thompson threw an incomplete pass to bring on the field goal team. USC 20-14.
Clemson came back with a 56 yard, 6 play drive with Chandler Cantanzaro booting a 37 yard field goal. Boyd hit Jaron Brown for 38 yards on the first play of the drive and Andre Ellington broke off a 12 yard run to key the drive. USC 20-17.
In the quarter, USC ran 29 plays for 166 yards and Clemson ran 8 plays for 57 yards.
End of quarter…USC 20-17.
