The air in Clemson was biting, a crisp 46 degrees that felt even sharper under the midday sun at Memorial Stadium. Most people expected a defensive slog or perhaps a Clemson redemption story. Instead, what we got on November 30 was a career-defining performance from a freshman and a defensive stand that will be talked about in Columbia for decades.
The USC Clemson game 2024 wasn't just another chapter in the Palmetto Bowl; it was a total shift in momentum for Shane Beamer’s program.
You've probably seen the final score—South Carolina 17, Clemson 14. But the score alone doesn't tell you how loud the stadium got when Cade Klubnik scrambled for those two touchdowns. It doesn't capture the collective gasp when LaNorris Sellers tucked the ball and decided he was going to be the strongest person on the field.
The LaNorris Sellers Show
If you weren't watching closely, you might have missed just how historic Sellers' performance actually was. He basically put the team on his back.
He finished with 166 rushing yards. That is the most ever by a South Carolina player in the history of this rivalry. Let that sink in for a second. A freshman quarterback went into Death Valley and out-rushed every running back and receiver on either roster.
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The game was a weird, grind-it-out affair for three quarters. Clemson’s defense was flying around, and the Gamecocks' offense felt stuck in second gear. Then the fourth quarter happened. Trailing 14-7, South Carolina looked like they were running out of time. A 42-yard field goal from Alex Herrera kept them alive, cutting the lead to 14-10 with under seven minutes left.
Then came the drive.
Nine plays. 75 yards. It was a masterclass in poise. Sellers capped it off with a 20-yard touchdown run with only 1:08 remaining. He didn't just run into the end zone; he bullied his way there. It was his second rushing touchdown of the day, following a 25-yarder in the second quarter.
Why the Palmetto Bowl 2024 Felt Different
Usually, this game has a clear favorite. In 2024, both teams were ranked in the Top 20. Clemson came in at No. 12, South Carolina at No. 15 (CFP rankings). The stakes were massive for the new 12-team playoff format.
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- Quarterback Duel: Both teams relied almost exclusively on their QBs to score. All four touchdowns in the game were rushing scores by the quarterbacks.
- The Ground Game: While Clemson’s Phil Mafah struggled to find holes (only 66 yards), South Carolina averaged 6.4 yards per carry as a team.
- Third Down War: Both teams converted 7-of-13 and 7-of-15 respectively, showing just how evenly matched the situational football was.
Honestly, the most surprising stat might be the passing numbers. Cade Klubnik actually outpassed Sellers 280 to 164. He looked sharp for most of the afternoon, connecting with Antonio Williams for nearly 100 yards. But Clemson just couldn't finish drives. They turned the ball down on a fourth-and-1 at the South Carolina 11-yard line late in the game, a decision that will haunt Dabo Swinney’s staff throughout the off-season.
The Interception Heard Round the State
With 68 seconds left and a 17-14 lead, South Carolina fans were holding their breath. We've seen Clemson pull off miracles in the final minute before. Klubnik started marching them down the field, crossing into Gamecock territory.
Then, the tip.
Demetrius Knight Jr., the veteran linebacker who Shane Beamer calls the "old soul" of the defense, made the play of his life. He dove for a tipped pass, getting his fingers under the ball just inches before it hit the grass.
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Interception. Ball game.
What This Means for the Future
This win was South Carolina’s sixth straight victory to end the regular season. They finished 9-3, marking one of the most successful stretches in school history. For Clemson, the loss was a bitter pill, especially since they were in a prime position to secure an at-large bid for the College Football Playoff.
Interestingly, because Miami lost to Syracuse that same day, Clemson still ended up in the ACC Championship game against SMU. But the aura of invincibility at home? That took a major hit.
If you're looking for actionable takeaways from the USC Clemson game 2024, here is what the tape tells us:
- Sellers is the Real Deal: His ability to pass for 150+ and rush for 150+ in the same game makes him one of the most dangerous dual-threat weapons in the SEC for 2025.
- Defense Wins Rivalries: Clayton White’s defensive scheme held a high-powered Clemson offense to zero points in the first and fourth quarters.
- The Playoff Impact: This game proved that the regular-season finale still carries immense weight, even with an expanded playoff. Every yard matters when the committee is watching.
To fully understand the impact of this game, watch the replay of the final four minutes. Focus on the offensive line play for South Carolina during the winning drive; they created the lanes that allowed Sellers to become a legend in Columbia.