BY PETE IACOBELLI
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — It got so Clemson coach Dabo Swinney could barely watch the tape anymore from last year’s loss to rival South Carolina, an agonizing ending where the Tigers had led throughout until LaNorris Sellers’ amazing 20-yard burst to the end zone just over a minute to play.
Clemson’s defense made sure to change things around this year. Yes, Sellers’ threw for a season-high 382 yards and two touchdowns, but Tigers defensive back Ricardo Jones picked off Sellers twice for a 28-14 victory over their rival on Saturday.
“Pain has a way of making you better,” said Swinney, who thought his players got to Sellers throughout last year’s game, “but just couldn’t get him on the ground.”
This year, Clemson’s defensive front, “did what they came here to do,” Swinney said.
Cade Klubnik threw for 268 yards and ran for a touchdown, Jones went for a 12-yard TD run on his final pick and Clemson closed a disappointing season with its fourth straight win after starting 3-5.
The Tigers (7-5) also got a touchdown run from Adam Randall, two field goals from Nolan Hauser and their defense held strong as the Gamecocks (4-8) tried to rally.
It was a satisfying finish to a disappointing regular season. Clemson, the defending Atlantic Coast Conference champs picked to repeat, lost four of its first five home games to fall from all title races.
But like in 2023 when Clemson started 4-4 and won its last five, the team bounced back down the stretch with wins over Florida State, at nationally ranked Louisville and Furman before beating the Gamecocks for the second time in three seasons.
“We’re not like other teams,” said defensive end T.J. Parker, who had three of Clemson’s five sacks. “We’re together.”
South Carolina quarterback Sellers, regarded as a high-round NFL draft pick, finished with a season-high 381 yards and two touchdowns. But his two interceptions cost his team when it mattered most.
After a scoreless first quarter in which the teams traded punts and each had a turnover, things got going in the second period. The Tigers had TD drives of 78 and 85 yards while the Gamecocks responded with two long scoring passes from Sellers.
Randall broke around the right side for a 10-yard run to start the scoring before Sellers answered back with a 53-yard strike to an open Harbor to tie things.
Klubnik fumbled on the next drive, but quickly picked the ball up and sprinted for a 3-yard score to re-take the lead. Sellers, though, needed only one play to find Vendrevius Jacobs for a 74-yard touchdown.
Clemson’s next drive stalled inside the South Carolina 20 and Nolan Hauser hit a 32-yard field goal for a 17-14 lead at the break.
Randall ran for 102 yards on 24 carries and T.J. Moore had six catches for 101 yards.
Offseason starts
South Carolina coach Shane Beamer said this season’s performance was distressing and he would start working on an improved 2026. “I’m sick as heck about this feeling right now. I’m responsible. I’m going to get it fixed so we’re never feeling this feeling again,” he said.
Beamer’s to-do list includes a replacement for offensive coordinator Mike Shula, who was let go after less than a year on the job due to the team’s struggles to score points.
The takeaway
Clemson: The Tigers are headed to a bowl, but not any of the ones they hoped for when the season began. The Tigers were the ACC favorite and a strong contender for another national championship. Instead, they lost four of their first five at home to fall out of contention before rallying in November.
South Carolina: Like their in-state rivals, the Gamecocks had high hopes after winning nine games last year and returning Sellers. Just like the Tigers, the season did not go as planned with a 1-7 mark in the Southeastern Conference to miss the postseason for the second time in three seasons.
Up next
Clemson awaits its bowl destination.
