CLEMSON – Clemson’s winning streaks are over. So are its chances in the college football playoffs.
South Carolina stunned No. 8 Clemson, 31-30, on Saturday afternoon at Memorial Stadium. The Tigers have won seven straight against their opponents and 40 straight wins at home, which is an ACC record.
Clemson (10-2) needed to win their last two games, this time and on December 3 (8 p.m., ABC) in the ACC Championship game against North Carolina in Charlotte, to stay in contention for a spot in the semifinals.
The Tigers will miss the playoffs for the second straight season for the first time since the format began in 2014. They won national titles in 2016 and 2018.
South Carolina (8-4) got a 35-yard field goal from Mitch Jeter in the fourth quarter, and Marcellas Dial made an interception late in the fourth quarter. Clemson owned a 23-14 halftime lead and were ahead, 30-21, after a touchdown run by Will Shipley in the third for a 75-yard touchdown run. The Tigers fumbled a punt return while trying to get close enough to score a field goal in the final three minutes.
Highlights:Clemson vs South Carolina Football Score: Live Updates
landmark:Clemson football player Will Shipley exceeds 1,000 yards early against South Carolina
infection:Clemson wide receiver Beaux Collins is leaving the South Carolina game with an injury
Clemson won the pick six contest
There have been nearly two interception returns for a touchdown on consecutive offensive plays. South Carolina downed their chance. Clemson did not. Jeremiah Trotter Jr. caught a Spencer Rattler pass and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown for a 7-0 lead. South Carolina’s Daruis Rush got a chance on a first down pass by DJ Uiagalelei but was unable to catch.
Andrew Mokuba, RJ Mickens save points
South Carolina was poised for a touchdown getting within a 23-21 lead of Clemson in the closing minutes of the first half. Rattler threw a pass to Joe McDowell, who had trailed Andrew Mokuba. McDowell went 65 yards, but Mukuba tracked it down at the 1. RJ Mickens made a tackle with KJ Henry on the line of scrimmage and then backed up for an interception.
Clemson’s bluff backfired
Clemson ruined its chance to dominate in the second quarter on a disastrous trick play. The Tigers had just scored a safety by Ruke Orhorhoro after a punt to the 2 by Aidan Swanson. But on the ensuing kickoff by South Carolina, the Tigers ran into Will Shipley in a huddle on the field with four other players. They went in different directions, Phil Maffah had the ball and went 13 yards before fumbling it wide. The Gamecocks hit for a touchdown and Clemson’s lead was 16-14.
DJ Uiagalelei is used as a lead blocker
Uiagalelei took the lead on a run by Shipley and threw a key block that turned it into a 47-yard game to 13 in the first quarter. Uiagalelei ran it from the 9th, through three defenders and into the end zone for a 14-0 lead. Uiagalelei had 18 receiving yards in the first half, breaking up tackles along the way.
Todd Shanesy covers Clemson athletics for the USA TODAY Network.