The Clemson football team has proven once again that they are road warriors and Saturday’s road win was even sweeter, because it was over the in-state rival.
No. 2 Clemson(11-1) proved to be too much for No. 24 South Carolina(8-4). With the 34-10 win, the Tigers picked up a 51st victory in Columbia and now holds a 69-42-4 all-time series lead.
As per usual, Twitter reacted to the Palmetto Bowl, the name designated for the annual clash, and a few of those tweets are included here.
As an alumni I hope @HarrisPastides will address the behavior of the students/fans at the #CLEMvsSCAR game. Unacceptable.
— Wyche Bartles (@WycheBa) November 26, 2017
Will the unacceptable behavior in the Gamecocks’ student section lead to changes?
It’s no secret that rivalry games can become feverish and in the heat of the battle, players and fans can cross the line, and that appeared to happen, at least with fans last night.
When the Clemson players hit the field, specifically, the end zone, they were immediately pelted with bottles of water and “middle finger” salutes. Those unfortunate actions continued on touchdowns and even when the Tigers left the field at the end of the first half.
According to the University of South Carolina fans Code of Conduct, the behavior from last night is absolutely discouraged.
“Gamecock fans are encouraged to wear garnet and black to the games and enthusiastically support the team. Our goal is to create a championship experience with integrity, while exhibiting good sportsmanship and maintaining a safe and respectful atmosphere for our teams and fans to enjoy. The Gamecock image is not only shaped by our student-athletes, coaches, students, and faculty, but by our great fans.”
The difference between #Clemson & #USC is the Gamecocks throw bottles and the Tigers pop them 🍾 #ClemsonvsUSC #GoTigers #FeartheThumb
— Erin Ballinger (@ErinCBallinger) November 26, 2017
Player of the game for south carolina pic.twitter.com/A6uTpCKs5i
— Tyler Brown Stan 🇺🇸 (@ClemsonSPEED) November 26, 2017
On Saturday, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney got his 100th victory and his second over South Carolina head man Will Muschamp. In 2008, Swinney won his first rivalry game 31-14 over Steve Spurrier, but finished 2-5 overall in the rivalry matchups. So keep your head up Muschamp-there is hope.
#CLEMvsSCAR Dabo took his lumps from Spurrier. Keep his head down and keep working hard to get better players and better coaches. And look at him now . Hats off .
— Jeff2001 (@JeffreyL2137) November 26, 2017
Notice, I said, head up.
Clemson went into the locker room with a 20-0 halftime lead and essentially put the offense on cruise control in the second half. Before the end of the third quarter, some of the Gamecocks’ fans picked up their hats, coats and left Williams-Brice Stadium.
🏈The lady in front of us said if she heard 'that song' one more time, she was gonna scream. She ended up leaving early. 🤷🏿♂️#PalmettoBowl #RivalryWeek #AllIn #Clemson #BeatSCAR 🏈 pic.twitter.com/Sk0ifR4yJo
— Damon Qualls (@DMQUALLS) November 26, 2017
I’ve seen it all. #again #CLEMvsSCAR pic.twitter.com/VMaGOHypaB
— Emilee Jones (@emileemcfalls) November 26, 2017
Final score removed from Williams-Brice Stadium scoreboard about 1 second after the game ended. No photos, please, Clemson fans
— @sapakoff (@Sapakoff) November 26, 2017
After losing five consecutive from 2009-13, Clemson notched a fourth straight rivalry win last night and next year, they will have a chance to get five at home.
They said #NeverAgain but it ended with the same results. Great win @ClemsonFB! #BeatUSCjr #CLEMvsSCAR #ALLIN #Clemson pic.twitter.com/iIeCSYymto
— Steven Andrews (@Panthers_Den) November 26, 2017
#Clemson can have football... We will take both basketballs, baseball, and everything else. THANKS! #SpursUp
— GamecockRock (@TheDuke0525) November 26, 2017
Despite a 90-17 scoring advantage over the past two games, there will be a game in Death Valley next year.