The Palmetto Bowl is one of the oldest rivalries in the history of College Football as it was the second longest uninterrupted series, being played for 111 straight years, until COVID prevented them from matching up in 2020 (Minnesota and Wisconsin, was first at 113 years, at that point). The beginning of the rivalry, however, did not start on the football field, but in politics. South Carolina College (now University of South Carolina) was a liberal arts school that also offered agricultural studies. Benjamin Tillman, a leader in the “Agrarian Movement” in South Carolina, felt that South Carolina College needed to focus solely on Agriculture and move away from the Liberal Arts. South Carolina College felt otherwise, and this led to Tillman seeking funding to start an agricultural focused school – insert Thomas Green Clemson, who put in his will to fund Tillman’s idea. After a few more arguments and debates on funding, Tillman founded Clemson A&M in 1889.
Now, we’ll step onto the gridiron and away from the courtroom. Throughout this century long rivalry, we have been gifted with numerous big moments. I am going to highlight 10 of those moments that are some of the best in this storied matchup – I hope you enjoy!
1. The Riot (1902)
In South Carolina’s first year as “the Gamecocks,” they faced a John Heisman led Clemson team that was heavily favored to defeat South Carolina for a 6th straight time. The newly dubbed Gamecocks ended up winning the game 12-6, but that’s not what this moment is about. The week of the game, some South Carolina students created a poster of a Gamecock perched on top of a Tiger and striking it with a whip.
The Clemson faithful did not take too kindly to this and warned the Gamecocks, that if they brought that poster to the parade on Friday, there would be trouble. Well, the Carolina students answered, as any rival would, by bringing the poster – naturally, Clemson’s response to was to march on South Carolina with around 300 cadets armed with rifles and bayonets. 40 South Carolina students, including the school’s president, armed themselves to defend the school. Thankfully, no shots were fired, and a truce was met by the two sides burning the poster – which led to the Tiger Burn tradition that still occurs today. This also caused the rivalry to be postponed until 1909.
2. The Prank (1961)
Another quirky moment in this historic rivalry took place in Clemson when some members of South Carolina’s Sigma Nu fraternity decided to dress up as Clemson football players and run onto the field. After running on the field, the Clemson Band began to play Tiger Rag and the Sigma Nu boys proceeded to purposefully humiliate themselves – falling over, dropping passes, and acting clumsy to make their Tiger counterparts look silly. Once the gig was up, some of the hometown fans didn’t think the prank was as funny as the Sigma Nu crew did and attempted to run on the field and fight them. This attempt was thwarted quickly by security and the game proceeded with a 21-14 Gamecock victory.
3. The Catch 1 (1977)
In a game that was deemed the 112th greatest game in College Football history by ESPN, Clemson jumped out to a dominating 24-0 start. South Carolina then stormed back to take a 27-24 lead with less than 2 minutes left in the game. Gamecock receiver, Phil Logan, lifted his jersey to reveal a shirt that said “No Cigars Today” – a reference to the Tigers then tradition of smoking cigars after a victory. Clemson then responded with a historic play from Clemson Ring of Honor Quarterback, Steve Fuller throwing a go-ahead touchdown pass to Jerry Butler – a catch later to be coined “The Catch.”
4. The Orange Pants (1980)
South Carolina and, soon to be Heisman winner, George Rogers went to Death Valley as the number 14 team in the country. Clemson Coach Danny Ford decided to debut Orange Pants (or britches) for the first time in history for this game. There must’ve been something special in those britches as Clemson would thump the Gamecocks, 27-6. This was also the start of the tradition of Clemson wearing orange pants for divisional championships (no longer divisions but now conference championship game bid clinching), the Palmetto Bowl, ACC championships, postseason games (bowl or playoff) and national championships.
5. Black Magic (1984)
South Carolina was 9-1 and headed to Clemson for their first 10-win season in program history. Countless times that year the Gamecocks cheated defeat, winning 5 games decided by one score. The Gamecocks spotted Clemson a 21-3 lead, but then Quarterback Mike Hold led an 86-yard touchdown drive to tie the game late in the 4th quarter. Clemson committed a penalty on the extra point and South Carolina was able rekick and capitalize, winning 22-21. The team earned the nickname “Black Magic” for its countless comebacks, black jerseys, and then Head Coach Joe Morrison’s all-black sideline style.
6. Taneyhill Signs the Paw (1992)
The Gamecocks started the season off with 5 straight losses, so they turned to then freshman quarterback, Steve Taneyhill. Taneyhill, in turn, rattled off 4 wins in his first 5 starts. Clemson, on the other hand, was needing to win their finale to achieve bowl eligibility. Steve Taneyhill, with his majestic mullet, boisterous celebrations, and hard-nosed play style, signed his name with his finger on Clemson’s midfield Paw logo, after a key touchdown in the second half – the signature that killed the Tigers bowl hopes. (South Carolina won 24-13)
7. The Catch 2 / The Push Off (2000)
For the first time in 13 years, the Palmetto Bowl featured ranked Gamecock and Tiger squads. On 3rd down with 12 yards to go and 19 seconds left in the game, Clemson Hall of Fame Quarterback, Woody Dantzler, unleashed a 50-yard bomb to receiver Rod Gardner that put the Tigers on the 8 yard line. Controversy then ensued as the South Carolina faithful claimed that Gardner illegally pushed off on defensive back Andre Goodman and the Tiger faithful claimed that there was mutual contact. The play was then named by Clemson, “The Catch II,” a nickname that paid homage to “The Catch” by Steve Fuller and Jerry Butler. South Carolina responded by calling it, “The Push-off,” due to the alleged illegal move to make the play. Despite the controversy, the play was not flagged, and Clemson kicked a field goal to win the game 16-14 – watch the video and view the picture and you can decide what to name the play.
8. The Brawl (2004)
Clemson was 5-5 and coming off a 63-17 win in the previous year’s matchup – needing to win for bowl eligibility. South Carolina, on the other hand, was 6-4 and foaming at the mouth to play spoiler to the Tiger’s season and revenge the beat down that occurred the previous year. During Clemson’s tradition of running down the hill before the start of the game, some South Carolina players waited at the bottom to taunt, push, and incite some aggression with the Tigers. That scuffle was broken up and the game continued. However, with Clemson up 29-7 in the 4th quarter, a few Gamecock offensive lineman shoved a Clemson defensive end, and The Brawl ensued. Police intervention was needed to end the quarrel and despite both teams finishing with a bowl eligible 6-5 record, both teams withdrew from bowl consideration due to the fight. To add insult to injury, Gamecock head coach Lou Holtz was fired shortly after this game (Steve Spurrier would replace him and spark the greatest era in Gamecock football history).
9. The Top 10 Matchup (2013)
2013 showed the highest ranked matchup in Palmetto Bowl history with No. 6 Clemson headed to Columbia to face No. 10 South Carolina. The Tigers dominated the stat sheet by out passing and rushing the Gamecocks, but they also led in penalties (8 for 52 yards to 3 for 20 yards) and turnovers with 6 (3 fumbles and 3 interceptions) to Carolina’s 0. Add in defensive end Jadeveon Clowney’s ability to disrupt the timing of the Clemson offense along with Connor Shaw’s elusiveness and playmaking ability, and you get a 31-17 victory over the higher ranked Tigers. This capped off Shaw’s career by making him undefeated in Williams-Brice Stadium and against Clemson.
10. The Palmetto Bowl (2014)
2 days before this game, the two schools made the then informal nickname of the rivalry, the Palmetto Bowl, the official title of the game. The Gamecocks went into Death Valley on a 5-game winning streak in the Palmetto Bowl – the longest in Gamecock history for the rivalry – and Clemson boasted one of the best defenses in the country along with freshman phenom, Deshaun Watson. Despite playing with a partially torn ACL, Watson would finish the game with 269 yards passing 2 passing touchdowns, and 2 rushing touchdowns to end the Gamecock’s dominate run and spark a rivalry best, 7-game winning streak in favor of the Tigers.
Regardless of the lopsided series record, in favor of the Tigers, this is one of the best rivalries in College Football – filled with drama, theatrics, and great athletes. This year’s top 15 matchup guarantees a new top 10 moment as it’s a win and get in, loser goes home game – South Carolina fighting for a backdoor playoff spot and a 9 win season and Clemson looking for their own playoff berth and to get to 10 wins for the 13th time in the Dabo Swinney era. Christmas will be awkward for half the state, but at least all South Carolinians will have a hope filled Thanksgiving.
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