Tigers Take 21-10 Rivalry Lead Into Halftime

For the first time in six years, Clemson is taking advantage of Carolina mistakes in the rivalry series. The Tigers got points off turnovers for the first time in six years and took a 21-10 lead into halftime at Death Valley. Deshaun Watson’s 1-yard quarterback sneak put Clemson up 21-7 with 4:55 left in the 2nd quarter. Watson, playing for the first time since spraining his knee two weeks ago against Georgia Tech, has sparked the Tigers to a good start. Watson left the game in the second quarter and limped to the locker room. Cole Stoudt replaced him and promptly threw his 10th interception of the season. Skai Moore’s pick led to a 47-yard field goal by Elliott Fry that tied his career long. Clemson took a 21-10 lead in halftime. Clemson took the lead in the 2nd quarter. Vic Beasley forced a Dylan Thompson fumble, the first turnover in the game. The Tiger offense took advantage and turned it into a quick 7 points off a Wayne Gallman 5-yard TD run. It was the first points off turnover for Clemson in six years in the series. USC led the turnover margin 15-3 in the last five years. Carolina scored 62 points off those turnovers in that span. Clemson had zero. Pharoh Cooper started the scoring with a 27-yard touchdown run out of the Wildcat formation. Cooper came into the game nursing bruised ribs. He was untouched on the run that gave the Gamecocks a 7-0 lead with 3:41 left in the first quarter. Clemson answered a little more than a minute later. Deshaun Watson, who left the game for one play after landing awkwardly after a throw on Clemson’s opening drive, returned to the game on the next drive. Artavis Scott turned a Watson short scoop pass into a 53-yard touchdown to tie the game up at 7 with 2:26 left in the first quarter. Clemson ran up 308 total yards in the first half compared to just 118 for Carolina. Watson was 11-14 passing for 190 yards and a TD. He also ran the ball two times for 10 yards and a TD. Scott had 5 catches for 112 yards and a TD. Gallman had 13 carries for 91 yards and a TD. Thompson was 8-17 for 80 yards passing. Mike Davis had 8 carries for 11 yards and three catches for 27 yards.