USC Depending On Defense In Clemson Game

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina’s defense and its line of NFL standouts the past five years are big reasons for the unprecedented run of success against rival Clemson. And while defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, linebacker D.J. Swearinger and cornerback Stephon Gilmore won’t suit up this time, the Gamecocks’ defense is finding that familiar form at exactly the right time to try for a sixth straight win over the 23rd-ranked Tigers (8-3) on Saturday. South Carolina (6-5) has yielded fewer than 300 yards of offense in wins over Florida and South Alabama the past two weeks. The Gamecocks, ranked last in Southeastern Conference defense earlier this month, had only one such effort in the first nine games. Linebacker Sharrod Golightly said those performances have built confidence heading into Clemson.