WILLIAMS-BRICE STADIUM: Clemson prevailed 16-7 in a defense-dominated Palmetto Bowl Saturday night at Williams-Brice Stadium. South Carolina had a season-low 169 total yards of offense, while Clemson managed 309 yards in a game that was decided by an early fumble returned for a touchdown and three Jonathan Weitz field goals.
The Tigers improved to 8-4 overall, while the Gamecocks fell to 5-7. Clemson has now won eight of nine in the series and five in a row in Columbia
Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik was 15-of-27 for 100 yards. Running backs Phil Mafah and Will Shipley rushed for 89 and 80 yards, respectively.
South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler was 16-of-32 for 112 yards. Receiver Xavier Legette had six receptions for 68 yards.
Less than a minute into the game, Rattler threw a pass that was ruled backwards and picked up by Clemson freshman Khalil Barnes who returned it 42 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers an early 7-0 lead.
South Carolina answered two drives later with a 12-play, 81-yard drive that took over five minutes off the clock. On fourth-and-one, Luke Doty took the reverse and dodged defenders into the endzone to tie the game at 7-7 with 6:39 to play in the first quarter.
Clemson kicker Jonathan Weitz scored the next six points of the half hitting field goals of 50 and 49 yards to give Clemson a 13-7 field at halftime. The 50-yarder was a career long for Weitz.
The third quarter began with more Weitz. This time the graduate student hit from 42 yards to make it a 16-7 Clemson advantage with 13:16 to play in the third quarter.
Clemson now awaits its bowl destination, while South Carolina likely isn’t going bowling.
Story by Nikki Hood
Final Stats
Here’s My View From Williams-Brice Stadium
