Sunday, Nov. 30, 2008

Love story: Davis, Spiller pen captivating ending

Thunder and Lightning storm to 179 combined rushing yards and are rewarded with a standing ovation

CLEMSON — James Davis said he had a dream this week in which he closed his final season against rival South Carolina with “three or four touchdowns.”

Late Saturday afternoon, Clemson’s senior running back and emotional leader discovered a reality that far exceeded his wildest imaginings.

As the Tigers’ offense took the field with 4:25 to play in a 31-14 victory, Davis found himself basking in the adoration of a soaked but enthusiastic crowd of 81,500. They chanted his name, and Davis responded, pointing to them in acknowledgment.

“They showed how much they loved us,” he said, speaking for a Clemson offense that gave perhaps its most complete performance of an up-and-down, 7-5 season. “I wanted to thank them, let them know how much I loved them, too.”

What the orange-clad faithful loved as much as Davis this day, though, was the way the win was achieved: in the Clemson tradition of running the football, dominating the opponent.

Playing in wet, sloppy conditions, the Tigers jumped on USC early on their way to a 24-7 halftime lead, then used a grind-it-out attack to salt away the victory that made them bowl-eligible for the 10th consecutive season.

Actually, “grind it out” wasn’t quite accurate. Davis ran 24 times for 91 yards, while backfield mate C.J. Spiller had 88 yards on 16 carries, highlighted by his electrifying 39-yard run to set up Davis’ first of three scores. Call that “bump and grind.”

“Those two guys, you can’t find two better running backs,” said quarterback Cullen Harper, who passed sparingly but effectively, completing 12 of 17 for 199 yards. “The way they play every week, they can take over a game.”

Clemson used the duo to do just that, rushing a season-high 47 times for 184 yards, its most since gaining 221 vs. Maryland. Even when the running game didn’t produce spectacular results, it enabled the Tigers to possess the ball for 11:27 of the final quarter.

“When you can run the football and stop the run (USC gained 92 yards on 26 carries but just 21 yards the second half), then you can win championships,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said.

Swinney, Davis and Spiller heaped praise on the Tigers’ oft-maligned offensive line, which dominated the Gamecocks’ defensive front, especially late in the game.

“They took lots of hits (criticism) the whole season, but they came together and are playing their best football since camp,” Spiller said.

“With a wet field, we really weren’t taking chances. The O-line wanted to run it, and we wanted to run it, and we kept pounding it.”

For Spiller and Davis, who both expressed dissatisfaction about their use in the offense earlier this season, the opportunity to dictate the game left both in good spirits.

“We had the most fun we’ve had since I’ve been here,” Spiller said. “(Davis) went out with a bang, and we gave fans what they came to see: the last show of ‘Thunder and Lightning’ in Death Valley.”

At the end, the crowd gave that show a standing ovation.

Postgame interviews: Swinney, Clemson players

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