Clemson flops vs. South Carolina
November, 28, 2009
11/28/09
4:21
PM ET
By
Heather Dinich | ESPN.com
Clemson's momentum and six-game winning streak came to a screeching halt.
C.J. Spiller's Heisman hopes took a serious hit.
And Clemson suddenly looked like the team we're all-too familiar with -- losing a game it was expected to win.
South Carolina shut the Tigers down in a 34-17 win, leaving a lot of work for the Tigers heading into the ACC championship game against Georgia Tech.
Aside from Spiller's 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening play of the game, Clemson's offense was stagnant. Spiller finished with a fumble, 18 yards rushing and 19 yards receiving. Not exactly numbers that will get you to New York. Spiller needed a big performance in a big game, and he didn't get it. Part of that can be attributed to the fact that Clemson's offensive line didn't get the job done up front.
This was a game in which the ACC should've had the upper hand on the SEC. Instead, the Tigers took a step backward with interceptions, penalties and fumbles, and didn't look like a conference champion. And they won't be if they play like that next week.
C.J. Spiller's Heisman hopes took a serious hit.
And Clemson suddenly looked like the team we're all-too familiar with -- losing a game it was expected to win.
South Carolina shut the Tigers down in a 34-17 win, leaving a lot of work for the Tigers heading into the ACC championship game against Georgia Tech.
Aside from Spiller's 88-yard kickoff return for a touchdown on the opening play of the game, Clemson's offense was stagnant. Spiller finished with a fumble, 18 yards rushing and 19 yards receiving. Not exactly numbers that will get you to New York. Spiller needed a big performance in a big game, and he didn't get it. Part of that can be attributed to the fact that Clemson's offensive line didn't get the job done up front.
This was a game in which the ACC should've had the upper hand on the SEC. Instead, the Tigers took a step backward with interceptions, penalties and fumbles, and didn't look like a conference champion. And they won't be if they play like that next week.
Heather Dinich | email
College Football- ESPN.com ACC blogger
- Joined ESPN.com in 2007
- Wrote for The Baltimore Sun
ABOUT THIS BLOG
Heather Dinich
Dinich covered ACC and Big Ten football for five seasons before joining ESPN.com in November 2007. She's an Indiana grad but somehow her favorite day of the week is Saturday.
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