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SEC powers past ACC in rivalry games
Fans wave their towels during the first quarter of USC's win over Clemson at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2009.
Rich Glickstein/rglickstein@thestate.com
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As the ball rested on the SEC logo at the 25-yard line midway through the fourth quarter of South Carolina's 34-17 win, USC fans figured it was an appropriate time to remind the remaining Clemson supporters at Williams-Brice Stadium which was the superior conference.
"SEC! SEC!" the crowd chanted.
The SEC was 3-0 against the ACC on Saturday, with Georgia and Florida getting victories against Georgia Tech and Florida State, respectively, in addition to USC's win. It means that Satuday's ACC championship will feature two teams, Clemson and Georgia Tech, coming off losses to their rivals.
"I've coached in all the leagues," said USC assistant head coach for defense Ellis Johnson, who was at Clemson from 1994-96. "I've said there's a difference in the SEC and ACC in the box. It's tough. That's what makes it a tough season for us at Carolina because when you go through it six weeks or eight weeks in a row, you lose players here and there. Players get tired. They get beat up. And it's just a tough game."
Clemson entered Saturday's game averaging 40.7 points and 415.8 yards during its six-game win streak. But the Tigers were held to 260 yards and did not score an offensive touchdown until less than four minutes remained.
"I do think that's probably the best defense they've faced," Johnson said.
-Joseph Person
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