Clemson Football: Levon Kirkland talks Palmetto Rivalry

No. 2 Clemson(11-0) and South Carolina(6-4) are set to meet for the 116th time on Saturday and a fifth consecutive win for the Tigers would complete their second all-time five-game winning streak for the series. The first streak occurred from 1934-38 and ended after a seventh victory in 1940. 

The Gamecocks have the most recent five-game winning streak from 2009-13, and Clemson football fans had to encounter many five finger salutes on social media outlets in the process. A Clemson football win on Saturday, should spark bounteous five finger memes tomorrow night.

Former Clemson linebacker Levon Kirkland, a member of the state of South Carolina and Clemson University Hall of Fames, remembers the Gamecock streak and a four-game rivalry game streak during his career from 1988-91.

The Lamar, SC native and two-time All-American, followed both teams as a youngster but eventually chose Clemson over South Carolina in 1987. Kirkland chatted with us about both schools and the rivalry.

Q: Oh, the 5-0 streak from 2009-13, a forgettable time for alumni and all of the Tigers’ faithful. What do you remember about those games?

It was frustrating, because we had good teams. Look at the talent we had, especially, at receiver. The difference was they were better on the line of scrimmage. We couldn’t matchup with them on the line of scrimmage, and they had a special player in Clowney. We just didn’t look that confident or tough. We were good and dynamic but our defense wasn’t good. I think the Clemson coaches realized the line of scrimmage was pretty important. If you want to dominate, you need to be good on the line of scrimmage. That’s what we had, when I played and that’s what they have now.

"He had a South Carolina Gamecocks flag and was trying to brag, and I was like, what the hell."

Q: You went out on a good note, as far as, the rivalry is concerned with four consecutive wins. Were their discussions among your class to get that fourth win in 1991? 

Seriously, it was. It’s not like we had a team meeting or anything, but we did talk among ourselves. Me and Bruce Bratton decided coming into the South Carolina game that we were not losing to these guys ever. And that’s basically what happened, we put the goal out there, made it very clear and went after the goal and it happened. Unfortunately, for them, they had some things happen like Morrison dying, which may have caused a shift.

In 1989, we took it upon ourselves to beat their brains in and coach Danny Ford wanted to win in Williams Brice. He wanted the win so bad that we wore the orange pants on the road for the first time. We came out in warmups with the whites and when we went back in, we saw the orange pants. Once I saw the orange pants in the locker room, they were in for it.

Q: That 45-0 final score is one of the most lopsided games in the history of the series. Was that game one of the most memorable for you? Or Is there any other game that stuck out to you? 

All of them were great, because we beat them. I think that game was right up there. My senior year being able to get two sacks and beat them soundly for the win was huge. I was also captain that game and finishing 4-0 meant a lot.

Q: Initially, you were open to playing for both schools. What swung the pendulum in Clemson’s favor?

It was the relationship I built with Clemson and Miles Aldridge. I actually got a letter from South Carolina first and Clemson sent me one the next week. Me and Aldridge had built a good relationship. He came to my games including track and basketball. Once I went to Clemson for a visit, it felt like home. I just believed I belong there, and I had a good feeling about it. That’s how it happened.

Q: So what happened with South Carolina?

They kind of lukewarm recruited me but offered me a scholarship. But it was only after Clemson offered. It was kind of unfortunate, because I went to their football camp and to games. Coach Joe Morrison was kind of lukewarm with me. A funny story was the defensive coordinator and defensive back coach went to Morrison and told him that he had to get me and Ed McDaniel. They said we were the best athletes as far as linebackers in the state. Joe’s comment was I don’t think they are big enough. He did offer me a scholarship, but I don’t think he was huge on me. Honestly, Danny Ford really wasn’t either, but Aldridge really saw something in me.

Q: Every player that I have talked to about the rivalry can usually recall a “moment” where they realized the rivalry was serious. What was that “moment” for you?

I came home after losing to them in 1987 my redshirt year and one of my high school classmates, who was going to South Carolina at the time, came to my house. He had a South Carolina Gamecocks flag and was trying to brag, and I was like, what the hell. You don’t come to my house with a South Carolina flag after we just lost though. He even tried to put it in my face a little bit. And that’s when my hatred for South Carolina truly began.

Q: You played for a great coach. What were your initial thoughts on the hiring of Dabo Swinney? 

I think we were fortunate. I think choosing Dabo, the best recruiter, pitch man and guy with a vision for the job, was better than getting a defensive coordinator or some coach who was maybe behind the times. At first, I thought, maybe, Gary Patterson from TCU and then I went into Dabo’s office on Thanksgiving when he was interim coach. He wanted to maybe put me on staff or in development or something like that, even though he didn’t have a whole lot of power or money at the time. While I was in the office, he showed me his vision and it was the biggest, thickest notebook I had ever seen in my life. And I was like, he’s the right man for the job.

I was hoping if he beats South Carolina, then he’s got the job. After he got the job, I told people he’s the guy. They were like you’re crazy. I said this dude has a plan. He’s a heck of a recruiter and will bring guys to Clemson.

Q: How will this game play out on Saturday? And what will be the difference in the game? 

I think South Carolina is going to play with a lot of heart. If we play at our best and they play at their best, they’re not going to win. I think it will be 40-something to 17.

And as to what will make the difference. We’re better than them. Simply put. Sometimes as a team, you just know.