Tag: Clemson v. South Carolina

Simpson reflects on rivalry and expects it to be ‘rocking in the Valley’

The rivalry game between Clemson and South Carolina is certainly a competitive one with historical significance, but this year the Tigers are back home in Death Valley and looking to match the performance the team had in this game last year. Junior …

The rivalry game between Clemson and South Carolina is certainly a competitive one with historical significance, but this year the Tigers are back home in Death Valley and looking to match the performance the team had in this game last year.

Junior linebacker Trenton Simpson is quite familiar with the significance of the rivalry, and having played in the game last year, he feels prepared for what to expect. Simpson spoke to the media on Tuesday and reflected on the Tigers’ 30-0 shutout of the Gamecocks in Columbia last year.

“It was huge, that defense was special and our offense really showed up,” he said. “I think we really needed that last year. Just being able to do it against a rivalry team, I think we look forward to doing it again this year.”

Simpson also reflected on his childhood. Being a North Carolina native, he shared that he grew up watching this game, and those memories just make this game more personal to him.

“It’s definitely a unique rivalry, I watched it growing up,” he said. “I’m blessed to be able to play in it. It means a lot, and I was able to play them last year and be a part of that, so just want to continue the streak and don’t let nobody in this program down.”

“I do have a couple memories,” he added. “I just always knew it was a true rivalry, and being able to come play in it, being in the facility this week, it’s definitely one of those weeks.”

The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder emphasized that the morale of the fans will be a key factor in the game this week. He expressed that the support of the Clemson fans will help the team put on a show on Saturday.

“I’m excited,” he said. “I know our fans are going to come behind us this week and cheer us on this coming week. It will be rocking in the Valley. I’m excited. I’m excited to be able to go out there and play in front of our fans, and I know that they are going to support us and we are going to put on a show for them.”

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney takes this rivalry very seriously. Simpson explained that although the team always prepares for every opponent with equal precision, this week requires a little bit more of an edge from the team in order to get in the right mindset to face its rival.

“This is definitely a goal of his (Dabo Swinney) own for the team and the program,” he said. “It’s definitely going to be an edge that we have to show out there on Saturday. This whole week our mentality has to be, going out it’s not going to be a change for any opponent, but this week definitely is just an edge, knowing South Carolina is a rivalry game.”

Simpson shares the keys to limiting USC’s offense

Clemson’s defense is facing off against a confident South Carolina offense this Saturday. The Gamecocks are coming off a dominant win over Tennessee, that featured 438 passing yards and six touchdowns by quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler, who has …

Clemson’s defense is facing off against a confident South Carolina offense this Saturday. The Gamecocks are coming off a dominant win over Tennessee, that featured 438 passing yards and six touchdowns by quarterback Spencer Rattler. Rattler, who has had an up-and-down season, has been finding his form as of late, and that means it will be up to the Clemson defense to exploit the weaknesses of the quarterback this weekend.

Linebacker Trenton Simpson, who is coming off an excellent performance of two sacks and a forced fumble against Miami, spoke to the media on Tuesday and detailed how the defense plans to prepare for an unpredictable South Carolina offense.

“They have a lot of good players,” he said. “They had a lot of players who showed up that week and had a great game, but it’s all about players and performance. Just making sure we limit Rattler and do our best to contain the run and make sure we stop the passes, that’s all we need to do.”

The North Carolina native is embracing the challenge that this historic rivalry presents. However, the Clemson defense is dialing in on forcing turnovers and picking up fumbles this week in practice, which is something the junior expressed is essential in combatting the South Carolina offense on Saturday.

“I definitely embrace the challenge and I know the defense does also,” he said. “We’re excited. Today is our Tuesday practice, and it’s one of those days, TA-NO-GA (“Takeaways/No Giveaways”) Tuesday. So, just focusing on getting the balls, just have to get a lot of turnovers this week, and try to force fumbles, and turn tips into picks. Just do as much as we can to help the offense get the ball back and win field position.”

The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder shared that a lot of what Clemson needs to do on Saturday is stopping the run game and pressuring Rattler. When Rattler is comfortable and has time, he has the ability to make plays. Simpson shared that it will be key to prevent Rattler from finding his rhythm in the game.

“We definitely have to focus on stopping Spencer, with him being the quarterback, making sure we get after him, send as many blessings and just make sure we have a great game plan to stop what he does best,” he said.

Briningstool on rivalry game: ‘We’re going to be able to dominate’

Clemson tight end Jake Briningstool is a sophomore, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t understand the intensity of this week’s rivalry game versus South Carolina. The Tennessee native spoke to the media on Monday and detailed the moment when he …

Clemson tight end Jake Briningstool is a sophomore, but that doesn’t mean that he doesn’t understand the intensity of this week’s rivalry game versus South Carolina.

The Tennessee native spoke to the media on Monday and detailed the moment when he first realized that this rivalry game is unlike any other game the Tigers play all season.

“I would say just definitely last year,” he said. “Playing in the game one time before, kind of know what the mindset is going into it, kind of know it’s a little personal. I kind of know what it takes for this week and everything that goes into it. I think definitely playing in it last year just helps me out a lot this year. I just know what to expect. I’m definitely excited and we’re going to be able to dominate.”

Last year was a little bit different atmosphere than what the Tigers expect to experience on Saturday. For the first time since 2018, Clemson is back in Death Valley for a game against the Gamecocks, and the support of the fans could be a major difference maker in this game.

Briningstool explained that playing in Columbia last year, with the home crowd against them, was good preparation for this year.

“It’s a lot different playing there than playing here, but walking out having stuff thrown, people yelling stuff, it’s a whole different atmosphere being in Columbia as opposed to another ACC school,” he said. “I’m excited for the challenge and I think it will be another good game.”

The 6-foot-6, 230-pounder shared that this game feels more personal. There’s evidently more weight to it, not just for the fans, but for the players down on the field as well.

“I would say the environment and the atmosphere just got a little different feel to it, especially being a rivalry game,” he said. “And just down on the field, you just want to do your job a little more, you just want to get the guy across from you just a little bit more just for the sake of the rivalry and what it means to so many people.”

Although South Carolina’s games have been a little sporadic when it comes to consistent performances this season, the team is coming into this rivalry game riding sky high on confidence following the dominant defeat over No. 5 Tennessee last Saturday. Briningstool expressed that the Gamecocks’ confidence just makes this game more interesting and that’s something that he’s embracing.

“I think personally I love that they did that,” he said. “I think it makes them better for us and I think coming in here hot, with a sense of arrogance to them, I think that’s perfect for us. I think every week is the biggest game of the year and I think this week just has a little more to it and it’s a little more personal. We didn’t watch much of their game, kind of just caught the score, but I think seeing that, seeing how they really dominated the game and handled Tennessee, I think it’s more fun for our game and really just hypes it up even more.”