How Clemson, Cade Klubnik beat South Carolina to end regular season much better than it started

COLUMBIA — Clemson football beat its longtime rival to end the regular season on a four-game win streak.

The Tigers dominated South Carolina on Nov. 29, winning 28-14 at Williams-Brice Stadium. The Gamecocks (4-8) had a chance to retake the lead in the final four minutes, but quarterback LaNorris Sellers threw a 12-yard pick six to Clemson safety Ricardo Jones to end any hopes of a late-game comeback.

Clemson will await its bowl-game selection on Dec. 7 after starting the season 1-3, and South Carolina's season is over.

The win ensured Clemson (7-5) won't tie its worst regular-season finish under coach Dabo Swinney when the Tigers were 6-6 in 2010. The loss marked the Gamecocks' worst season under coach Shane Beamer.

Clemson has now won its last six games at South Carolina since 2015, the first time the Tigers have achieved this since 1989-99. The Tigers also earned their first win against an SEC opponent since the 2023 Gator Bowl against Kentucky. Clemson was 3-8 against SEC opponents entering Week 14, including a season-opening loss to LSU.

After a scoreless first quarter, both teams generated points.

Clemson running back Adam Randall scored the game's first touchdown on a 10-yard run in the second quarter. South Carolina responded with Sellers throwing a 53-yard touchdown to wide receiver Nyck Harbor.

Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik scored a long 3-yard rushing touchdown after fumbling, but South Carolina responded quickly with a Sellers' 74-yard touchdown to wide receiver Vandrevius Jacobs. Clemson kicker Nolan Hauser made the go-ahead 32-yard field goal before halftime.

A roughing-the-punter penalty on South Carolina extended Clemson's opening drive of the third quarter and helped extend its lead after Hauser's 42-yard field goal. South Carolina could have cut into its deficit multiple times in the second half, but Sellers threw an interception to Jones in the third quarter and the Gamecocks failed to convert on fourth down in their own territory in the fourth.

Clemson forced the game's first turnover in the first quarter after cornerback Avieon Terrell forced his fifth forced fumble this season. It was also his eighth career forced fumble, tying four other Tigers players for the third-most in Clemson history.

Klubnik threw a red zone interception to South Carolina safety Jalon Kilgore in the first quarter. It was Klubnik's first turnover since Oct. 11, and Kilgore's second interception this season. Harbor also fumbled in the fourth quarter, which helped Clemson generate a season-high four turnovers. The Tigers also recorded five sacks.

Klubnik was 24-of-39 passing for 268 yards, zero touchdowns, one interception and rushed for one score. Sellers was 23-of-42 passing for 381 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions and rushed for 2 yards on 12 carries.

Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at [email protected] and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Clemson football beats South Carolina thanks to four turnovers