South Carolina Football: Five Worst Losses of the Decade
By Jacob Elsey
CLEMSON 2016
The 2016 Clemson versus Carolina matchup is one to forget for Gamecock fans. The Tigers scored eight touchdowns in a 56-7 drubbing, which is Gamecocks’ worst loss in the series in the modern era (Clemson defeated Carolina 51-0 in 1900).
Deshaun Watson threw six touchdown passes as he led the Tigers past a depleted Gamecock defense. He would soon take Clemson to its second ever playoff appearance, defeating Alabama in the national title game.
The loss represented a turning of tides in the rivalry. It was Clemson’s third straight win in the series, but the first where Gamecock fans started to lose the hope of winning against its in-state foe. Even the rag-tag bunch of 2015 was able to keep the game competitive in a 37-32 loss. Since that 2016 game, Clemson has won its last four contests against the Gamecocks by a total score of 184-55, an average outcome of 46-14. No game has been decided by fewer than 21 points.