Clemson may not have delivered the 2025 season it envisioned, but the Tigers closed out the regular season on a high note with a 28-14 victory over rival South Carolina on Saturday. After the game, head coach Dabo Swinney couldn’t say enough about his defense’s effort — and he made sure to praise Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers in the process.
“Listen, man, that’s that is unbelievable effort by our defense because, let me tell you, Sellers, that’s one of the best players in the country. That guy is special,” Swinney said. “He is a great football player. He’s a great kid, he’s a great player. And to hold that guy to two yards rushing, unbelievable. I mean, unbelievable.
“I just can’t say enough about Coach Allen and our defensive staff and the plan that they put together. We did everything that we needed to do. We needed to not let them get a run game going. … Just really proud of the guys. It’s awesome, and again, happy for our fans.”
Even in defeat, Sellers put up significant passing numbers, completing 23 of 42 throws for 381 yards and two touchdowns. Clemson’s defense, however, intercepted him twice and completely erased his ground game, limiting him to 12 rushing yards in total.
Sellers wasn’t the only Gamecock to struggle. South Carolina’s offense converted just one of 11 third-down attempts and coughed up two fumbles, unable to gain any consistent momentum against Clemson’s aggressive defensive approach.
The win boosted Clemson to 7-5 overall and 4-4 in ACC play. The Tigers finished their regular season on a four-game winning streak, highlighted by a win over then-No. 20 Louisville. Saturday’s victory also served as payback after last year’s 17-14 loss to South Carolina.
Swinney expressed pride in how his team battled through a challenging season.
“We’re not getting to the playoff, but, man, that doesn’t that doesn’t diminish my love for the guys in that locker room,” he said. “I’m really proud of them, and I’m thankful that, again, the good Lord gave them a moment like this today to just celebrate and enjoy and get a seventh win, and we’ll be going somewhere.”
For South Carolina, the season ends on a much different note. After opening the year ranked No. 13, the Gamecocks stumbled to a 4-8 finish. With bowl season approaching, Shane Beamer and his staff will now have to turn their attention to rebuilding in the offseason while other programs prepare for postseason play.
