“All we’ve gotten done so far is in the rear-view mirror”, Swinney said Tuesday.
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The pressure of high expectations combined with the burden of overcoming previous failures is generally a recipe for indigestion. “We’re prepared. We prepare every week”. Entering Saturday, the Tigers were No. 5 nationally in total defense, allowing 278.2 yards per game, and No. 11 nationally in scoring defense, allowing 17.6 points per game.
Still, the Tigers went past 500 yards for an eighth straight game and did enough on defense to corral the struggling Gamecocks.
The way Mike Noonan sees it, he and Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney have plenty in common. “It’s how we play, and our effort and preparation”.
The Tigers, who are 12-0 for the first time since winning their first and only national title in 1981, will face North Carolina in the Atlantic Coast Conference Championship Game next Saturday in Charlotte, N.C. The Tigers finish the regular-season 12-0 and tie the school record for most wins in a season. Watson is the only quarterback in America with three games of at least 200 yards passing and 100 yards rushing this season. “That speaks to the resolve of this team, the overall talent of our team, the poise of our team, the mental toughness”.
Whoever said there is no such thing as a bad win was not at Williams-Brice Stadium Saturday. “We can’t control whether we’re in the playoffs”. The Gamecocks’ best asset is they have nothing to lose and is able to carry a carefree attitude into the game.
Watson said the Tigers will enjoy this win, then regroup Sunday to focus on the Tar Heels. A North Carolina victory could generate more discussion in the committee room. But the Tigers looked less than dominant, which could potentially harm their seeding if they’re selected for the four-team playoff for the national championship.
South Carolina’s upset bid against top-ranked Clemson came up short thanks to Heisman Trophy hopeful Deshaun Watson’s dominant performance, particularly during a key fourth-quarter drive. He’ll likely need a monster game to supplant Alabama runner Derrick Henry as the award’s top contender. Watson also ultimately finished with big numbers, despite a shaky start.
Trailing 38-34 at the break, Asheville opened the second half with a 14-2 run that included back-to-back 3-pointers by Robertson to retake the lead for good. Their last ACC crown came in 2011, which the Tigers followed up with a 70-33 Orange Bowl debacle to West Virginia.
SC fans are just looking for hope after a tumultuous season, which included the resigning of legendary coach Steve Spurrier.
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The University of SC and Clemson University wrapped up their 31st annual American Red Cross blood drive last week, resulting in the eighth consecutive win for USC.
