November 19, 1977: Clemson 31, South Carolina 27 – The Catch
Clemson was in the first season under new head coach Charley Pell. Pell would eventually turn the program around after several lean years in the 1970s, but his first season was a struggle. The Tigers went winless in the ACC before they traveled to Columbia to face the Gamecocks.
The pieces for success were there, however:
- Steve Fuller: one of the greatest quarterbacks to play for the Tigers. He was No. 4 before Deshaun Watson.
- Jerry Butler: one of the most beloved wide receivers in Clemson history.
The Tigers jumped out to a 24-0 lead, but then the turnover bug struck. The Gamecocks roared back and took a 27-24 lead with just under two minutes left in the game when Ronnie ‘Sunshine’ Bass hit Phil Logan for a touchdown.
A lot of teams would have folded at that point, but the Tiger offense responded. With 0:49 seconds left in the game, Fuller found Butler in the end zone. The play has become one of the most iconic in Clemson history, and is known as ‘The Catch’.
Forward to 2:14:56 to see The Catch.
It put the Tigers ahead 31-27 and finished off a tough season with a sweet victory in Williams-Bryce Stadium.