COLUMBIA — When Steve Spurrier took over at South Carolina in 2005, one of his first symbolic moves was pulling down every “Beat Clemson” sign scattered throughout the building. His belief was simple: putting too much emphasis on a single rivalry game could distract from USC’s true priority — winning SEC matchups and positioning the program to compete for a conference championship.
Although the Gamecocks never captured that SEC title during Spurrier’s tenure, they came closer than ever before under his leadership. And while the big trophy eluded them, he still managed to take six of ten games against Clemson, including a historic five-game winning streak from 2009 to 2013 — the longest South Carolina has ever produced in the rivalry.
Those victories underscore why beating Clemson carries so much weight. The reality is straightforward: South Carolina is not traditionally a powerhouse program. Conference championships are rare, and competing for national relevance is even rarer.
That leaves the rivalry game as, in many seasons, the only true prize to claim. And the legacy of that win usually falls on one person.
Quarterbacks are the only players who get an official win or loss attached to their name, so USC signal-callers who defeat Clemson are spoken of with a special reverence. For those who remain in South Carolina after their playing days, meals and drinks often become permanently discounted — sometimes completely free.
Even more celebrated are the quarterbacks who manage to beat Clemson more than once. Only seven men have ever joined that exclusive club — a group half-jokingly likened to pledging “Ima Tiga Killa.”
LaNorris Sellers, whose breakout showing powered last year’s 17–14 victory in Death Valley, now has a chance to become the eighth.
“I would love for him to do it. That spectacular performance he had last year was something to remember. I hope he watches that film a lot because I want to see him play like that again.” — Jeff Grantz, 1973, 1975
