Live from Williams-Brice: Clemson records 30-0 shut-out win over South Carolina
The State’s Ben Portnoy, Michael Lananna, Augusta Stone and Alexis Cubit were at Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia for Saturday’s South Carolina football game against Clemson (7:30 p.m., SEC Network). Below are the updates from the game.
Clemson makes it back to the end zone late
The Tigers hadn’t scored a touchdown since early in the second quarter, but they pieced together another touchdown drive with 2:30 to go in the fourth quarter.
Phil Mafah scored a 6-yard touchdown rush to put Clemson up 30-0 late in the game. Mafah was the third Tiger running back to find the end zone, and all three Clemson touchdowns have been on running plays.
The Tigers have accumulated 265 yards on 29 run Saturday night.
Clemson scores another field goal in fourth quarter
The Tigers moved the ball 27 yards to set up another B.T. Potter field goal, this one from 49 yards. Potter’s kick moved Clemson up 23-0 with 12:24 to go in the game.
Clemson has outgained South Carolina 343-103 in total yards. The Tigers have rushed the ball for 239 yards compared to the Gamecocks’ 30 on the ground. Freshman running back Will Shipley has totaled 128 yards on 19 carries, averaging 6.7 yards per attempt.
Clemson extends lead out of halftime with a field goal
South Carolina received the ball out of halftime but stalled out with its fourth three-and-out in eight possessions.
Clemson added to its lead out of halftime. A 47-yard B.T. Potter field goal brought the Tigers’ lead to 20-0 over the Gamecocks with 9:05 to go in the third quarter. The Tigers’ drive went 34 yards in eight plays.
South Carolina ends the half down by 17
South Carolina earned just three first downs and Jason Brown threw two picks as the Gamecocks ended the first half down 17-0 to Clemson.
The Gamecocks were outgained 258-75 in total yards, and the Clemson run game eclipsed its average per game (161.9) as well as the average number of run yards South Carolina’s defense allows per game (171.1) in the second quarter.
The Tigers ran for 193 yards on 25 attempts, averaging 7.7 yards per carry. Will Shipley led the way in the first half with 86 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown.
The Gamecocks struggled to get a run game established, totaling 22 yards on 11 carries. South Carolina’s longest rush in the first half went 5 yards.
Another touchdown rush extends Clemson lead
The Tigers, running for 141 of their 169 total yards in the game’s first 18 minutes, scored another rushing touchdown over South Carolina in the second quarter.
Running back Kobe Pace ran for a 34-yard score, putting Clemson up 17-0 over South Carolina with 12:10 to go in the second quarter.
Clemson has outgained South Carolina 169-12 in total yardage through the game’s first 18 minutes.
Clemson scores field goal off turnover
Backed up on third-and-10, South Carolina quarterback Jason Brown was picked off by Clemson cornerback Andrew Booth Jr. at the USC 13-yard line.
The Tigers gained just 1 yard in their ensuing possession but scored a field goal off a 29-yard attempt by B.T. Potter. South Carolina trails Clemson 10-0 with 2:40 to go in the first quarter.
Cam Smith gets third interception of the season, offense unable to capitalize
Rest assured, Gamecocks fans. Defensive back Cam Smith, who left last week’s game against Auburn with a knee injury, appears to be doing well.
Smith caught his third interception of the season on Clemson’s second possession. He picked off Tigers quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei, setting South Carolina’s offense up at its own 12-yard line.
The Gamecocks were unable to get a first down after the interception and punted after their second three-and-out in as many possessions.
Will Shipley caps off Clemson’s run-heavy touchdown drive
Clemson was first to make it on the board Saturday night, capping off a 73-yard drive with a 29-yard touchdown run from freshman running back Will Shipley.
The Tigers opted for four rush plays and three pass plays in their opening possession and totaled 64 of their 73 yards on runs. Shipley, the Tigers’ leading rusher this season, ran for 42 yards in Clemson’s first drive.
Gamecocks recognize 19 players for senior day
South Carolina recognized 19 football players as part of its senior day celebrations, including senior wide receiver Josh Vann, senior EDGE Kingsley “JJ” Enagbare and redshirt senior running back ZaQuandre White.
Some players who were eligible to walk didn’t participate in the pregame ceremony, including redshirt senior quarterback Jason Brown, redshirt junior wide receiver Dakereon Joyner and redshirt senior linebacker Brad Johnson.
Cam Smith expected to play vs. Clemson, Tigers injury report
South Carolina defensive back Cam Smith is expected to play in the Clemson game, Gamecocks play-by-play voice Todd Ellis in the pregame radio show on 107.5 The Game. Smith left the Auburn game last week with a knee injury.
Smith was announced as a starter in the pregame video at Williams-Brice Stadium.
Clemson will be without linebacker LaVonta Bentley (undisclosed), defensive end Xavier Thomas (knee) and wide receiver E.J. Jenkins (leg) Saturday night.
Uniform report vs. Clemson
South Carolina will suit up in “big game garnet” — garnet jerseys, garnet pants and white helmets with garnet facemasks for the Clemson game. It’s the same uniform combination the Gamecocks wore for last week’s win over Auburn.
Watch the South Carolina game tonight
Who: Clemson Tigers (8-3, 6-2 ACC) at South Carolina Gamecocks (6-5, 3-5 SEC)
When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday
Where: Williams-Brice Stadium (77,559) in Columbia, SC
TV: SEC Network
This story was originally published November 27, 2021 at 6:22 PM.
