Clemson suffered a disappointing defeat on Saturday, losing 17-14 at home to rival South Carolina in a game that delivered a severe blow to its College Football Playoff hopes.
The defeat marked the Tigers’ second consecutive home loss to the Gamecocks, a streak not seen in nearly 30 years. For a program that once thrived in big moments, this loss serves as a painful reminder of how far Clemson has fallen in recent years.
The Tigers had their chances, forcing three turnovers and starting strong in the second half with a Cade Klubnik-led touchdown drive. But their failure to capitalize offensively, combined with the dominant performance from South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers, sealed Clemson’s fate. Sellers proved unstoppable, rushing for 166 yards and scoring the game-winning touchdown with just over a minute remaining.
The loss sends the Tigers reeling as playoff hopes are dashed and questions arise about the program’s direction. Social media had a lot to say:
Congrats to South Carolina, winning at Clemson. SCar destroyed my Sooners and my Commodores on the road. Defense is ferocious. LaNorris Sellers is a maturing talent. Last 6 weeks I haven't seen a better college football team than South Carolina.
— Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless) November 30, 2024
South Carolina holds off Clemson for its sixth-straight win‼️ pic.twitter.com/UOTr9dGWAv
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) November 30, 2024
OH NO CLEMSON OH NO
SOUTH CAROLINA WINS pic.twitter.com/LQs5gPekpN
— Unnecessary Roughness (@UnnecRoughness) November 30, 2024
The singlemost gutsy performance from a South Carolina QB against Clemson I've ever seen.
LaNorris Sellers is the truth.
— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) November 30, 2024
South Carolina planted its flag at midfield at Clemson. Appeared to be some shoving among USC and Clemson players though. Tense moment and flag eventually got moved away from the paw at the 50 pic.twitter.com/PbScZ87JSL
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) November 30, 2024
INSANITY IN CLEMSON pic.twitter.com/UlrC8XU7jm
— Barstool SEC (@SECBarstool) November 30, 2024
Best November in South Carolina football history:
Beat No. 10 Texas A&M, 44-20
Beat Vanderbilt, 28-7
Beat No. 23 Mizzou, 34-30
Beat Wofford, 56-12
Beat No. 12 Clemson, 17-14— Brad Crawford (@BCrawford247) November 30, 2024
LANORRIS SELLERS TAKES THE LEAD OVER CLEMSON WITH A MINUTE TO GO!
— College Football Report (@CFBRep) November 30, 2024
One thing I hope that doesn’t get overlooked today is that clutch field goal Alex Herrera made earlier in the 4Q.
Without that kick, the game would’ve been tied after that Sellers TD and Clemson may have played more conservatively to set up a game-winning field goal on their…
— Mike Uva (@Mike_Uva) November 30, 2024
Performance of the year has down in Clemson, SC today.
South Carolina is making the playoffs. https://t.co/vJlvmIrGew
— Josh Pate (@JoshPateCFB) November 30, 2024