The Verdict: Make Clemson doubt 

South Carolina football superfan Chris Paschal writes a weekly column during the season for GamecockCentral called “The Verdict.” Chris is a lawyer at Goings Law Firm in Columbia.

In 1942, Cary Cox was a member of the Clemson team that beat the Gamecocks 18-6. Just a few months later in 1943, during the height of World War II, many colleges and universities across the United States started participating in what was called the V-12 Navy College Training Program. Simply put, the V-12 Navy College Training Program allowed students to continue their studies while also being trained to be an officer in the United States Navy. Cary Cox decided to join the Navy and signed up for the V-12 program. 

As fate would have it, he was placed in Columbia. The Clemson man of course did not want to play for Carolina in the 1943 rendition of the rivalry. That is until, according to Henry Lesesne in his book A History of the University of South Carolina (1940-2000), Lt. James P. Moran (a Carolina man) looked Cox in the eyes and said, “Cox, I can’t promise you’ll get a Navy commission if you play Thursday, but I can damn well promise that you won’t get one if you don’t play.” Cox played for Carolina and helped the Gamecocks whip Clemson 33-6. 

Well, here we go one more time – for the 120^th time – where those upstate fellas donning that horrific orange face off against our beloved Gamecocks. And just like last year, and just like in 1943, South Carolina hopes a transfer gives the Gamecocks the edge. It feels almost inappropriate referring to Spencer Rattler as a transfer anymore. It’s not that the word transfer has a negative connotation, but that more times than not the word transfer (in the college football sense) gets equated with a player being a rental or short-term fix. 

Spencer Rattler loves South Carolina, and he bleeds Garnet and Black. In a few years, when he is the starting quarterback for an NFL franchise, and the player introductions are rolling, Spencer Rattler will most definitely identify himself as a Gamecock. Rattler’s transfer to Carolina turned into a two-year love fest between the quarterback and this fanbase. He was engaged and he was bought in. Much like Dakereon Joyner. 

Joyner returned to Columbia this year for his sixth and final year of eligibility. During his time in Columbia, Joyner helped Carolina pull off a shocking upset of the Dawgs in 2019, he orchestrated one of the greatest offensive performances in Gamecock history in the 2021 bowl win over UNC, and in 2022 and 2023, he helped this roster and program by setting a valuable example of what it looks like to love your teammate, love Carolina football, and love the Palmetto State. Every block he delivered, every time he lowered his shoulder pad into a defender, and every time he willed his way into the endzone, Joyner showed what it means to love your teammate and love the game of football. 

I could go on and on about the guys on this roster who are putting on the pads one final time in Williams-Brice Stadium. This season certainly didn’t go according to plan. But a lot of heartache and pain could be washed away should the Gamecocks find a way to beat Clemson in front of a sold-out Carolina crowd, a feat that hasn’t been accomplished this past decade. 

[2022 Palmetto Bowl framed print, enter here to win]

In Clemson’s last three trips to Columbia, the Tigers have outscored the Gamecocks 102-13. I have been there for all three of those matchups. I have been there as an excited Williams-Brice Stadium grows quiet as the Clemson fans grow louder. I have listened to Tiger Rag a million times. I have listened to the Pickens County spelling bee a million and one times. (We get it, y’all can spell Clemson.) I have watched Clemson defenses confuse and abuse Carolina quarterbacks. I have watched Clemson running backs run the football down our throats. 

Winning last year was crucial not just for the dynamic of the rivalry but also for the building of this Shane Beamer-led Carolina program. Carolina players and fans needed to see a tally in the win column over Clemson, but just as importantly, it was crucial for Clemson fans to have to watch Carolina fans gather at the paw with the Block C flag waving proudly. That win did a lot for the entire Carolina program and fanbase as we headed into the offseason. The beer was colder, the tea was sweeter, and the sun shined brighter from December 2022 until November of 2023. 

But all that doesn’t amount to a hill of beans come this Saturday in Williams-Brice Stadium. What the Clemson fan and the Clemson player remembers is 2021, not 2022. What they remember is silencing a raucous Williams-Brice Stadium. What they remember is imposing their will on the Carolina run defense. What they remember is shutting out the Carolina offense. You can bet your pretty dollar that Dabo is concocting one of his most potent “little ole Clemson”/ROY Bus/the-real-USC-is-in-California-the-real-Carolina-is-in-Chapel-Hill pregame speeches of all-time. 

Clemson is going to come out for blood with every intention of reliving 2021 or 2019 or 2017. That is until Carolina gives them a reason to think about 2023 Duke or 2023 Miami or 2023 NC State. The recent history of Clemson as the road warrior in Columbia is daunting.

The recent history of Clemson as the road goat in 2023 is less daunting. Clemson lost in three different ways in their three road losses this season. Duke beat Clemson by having the far better quarterback that night. And they won the turnover battle. Miami stopped the Clemson rushing attack and ran the football on the talented Clemson defense. And they won the turnover battle. NC State made big splash plays like when they scored on a 72-yard touchdown pass or when they returned a deflected pass back for a touchdown. And they won the turnover battle. 

I like any and all three approaches, but it’s clear that Carolina will have to make Cade Klubnik uncomfortable and allow this Clemson offense to make mistakes. Clemson wants to run the football down Carolina’s throat. If Carolina can find a way, much like it did against Kentucky, to bend but not break (that phrase makes me nauseous – thanks, T-Rob) as a rush defense, Clemson will have to put the game on Cade’s shoulders. And Cade has never played in an environment like Williams-Brice before. 

Carolina must give Clemson a reason to think, again, much like Kentucky last week, “here we go again.” Maybe it’s a big opening drive by Spencer Rattler. Maybe it’s a quick turnover. Maybe it’s a special teams touchdown. Clemson has been gaining momentum in November much like Carolina has. The only difference is Clemson now must go on the road. 

This game will not be easy. Clemson is the favorite. Clemson is predicted to win. Clemson fans are very confident that this will be 2017 or 2019 or 2021 reincarnated. Clemson’s defense has ripped apart three great (ok, two great and one good) quarterbacks in back-to-back-to-back weeks. Clemson has a three-headed rushing attack by the way of Klubnik, Mafah, and Shipley. They have every reason to believe they will stroll into Williams-Brice Stadium and ruin yet another Carolina Senior Night.

But from my vantage point, all it will take is a little doubt to creep into the back of their minds for Carolina to have a shot. It is almost foolish to predict Carolina to win, even with last year’s victory, but I think the Cocks have a shot. 

Dum Spiro Spero.

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