Spencer Rattler threw two touchdown passes to Antwane Wells Jr. and South Carolina’s defense had a tremendous second half as the Gamecocks knocked off No. 8 Clemson 31-30 on Saturday afternoon at Clemson, S.C.
A 40-game home-field winning streak came to a halt for the Tigers (10-2), who also no longer have a shot to make the College Football Playoff field.
Rattler was 25-for-39 for 360 yards with two interceptions, while Wells finished with 131 receiving yards on nine catches. The Gamecocks managed only 54 rushing yards.
D.J. Uiagalelei ran for a touchdown and threw for one, Will Shipley ran for a touchdown and Jeremiah Trotter Jr. returned an interception for a touchdown for Clemson’s big moments.
South Carolina (8-4), which conquered another Top 10 team after its 63-38 shocker of Tennessee a week earlier, snapped a seven-game losing streak in the series with Clemson.
The Tigers face North Carolina next Saturday night in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game in Charlotte, N.C.
South Carolina took its first lead on Mitch Jeter’s 35-yard field goal with 10:54 remaining, completing a 10-play possession that lasted nearly 6 1/2 minutes. Clemson punted on its next three possessions.
Then the Gamecocks were forced to punt with about two minutes left after Clemson used a pair of timeouts. The Tigers fumbled on the punt return and never got the ball back.
Uiagalelei was 8-for-29 for 99 passing yards with an interception. Shipley gained 132 yards on 15 rushing attempts.
The Gamecocks stayed within range throughout the game. They scored first in the second half Jaheim’s 2-yard run to close within 23-21. Shipley’s 11-yard run later in the third quarter was matched on Rattler’s 72-yard pass play to Wells just 50 seconds later.
Clemson led 14-0 and 16-7. By then, nine of the points resulted from defense. Trotter returned a Rattler interception 35 yards for the game’s first points. In the second quarter, a safety increased the margin.
–Field Level Media