It’s bye week for the #5 ranked Clemson Tigers. They have gone through a stretch of 8 weeks where nothing came easy, and every yard, every first down, every point was fought for. Face it, college football world, every team that Clemson faces off against gives their absolute best efforts. Lost in all this is the fact that Clemson fans are like fathers who go through pregnancy pains with their wives. Whatever good or bad happens with this team, the fans go through it too. Certainly not on the physical level but the mental stress, fans feel it too.
With 00:24 seconds left on the clock, trailing Clemson 27-21 and Syracuse driving deep into Clemson territory, Garrett Shrader dropped back to pass, looked downfield and heaved a pass towards 6-5 WR Oronde Gadsden. Don’t lie, your heart skipped a few beats until RJ Mickens stepped in and picked it off to seal the Clemson win. At that very moment, even fans at home, lept out of their seats and cheered. Don’t lie.
There was a similar moment during the Wake Forest game in the second overtime. Clemson scored first in the 2nd overtime but missed the 2-conversion, giving Clemson the lead 51-45. Sam Hatman had a day against this beat up Tiger secondary, taking full advantage of his tall, rangy wide receiver group. Hartman threw for 337 yards and six touchdowns prior to the second overtime. Don’t lie. Fans had seen him throw high all day long and watched in pain as time after time, the taller receivers would simply wrestle the ball away from the shorter DB’s trying to cover man to man with little or no help. On 4th down, Hartman dropped back on 4th down and 6, sailed the ball high to his 6-5 WR AT Perry, and with all eyes in the corner of that endzone, the ball was knocked away by CB Nate Wiggins with the help of safety RJ Mickens. As a fan, it was a “whew” moment, and a “FINALLY”!!!!!!! Having a safety over the top made the difference.
One of the most notable moments in Clemson history was the Watson-to-Hunter Renfrow TD pass in the National Championship. Watching the game at home, when that play happened, late at night, I’m sure I woke neighbors up when I expressed my “joy” in the backyard. Don’t lie. Clemson fans were beside themselves after beating Alabama and winning the National Championship. Don’t lie.
There have been many moments like these over Coach Dabo Swinney’s tenure as head coach. It’s called coaching and the players buying into the “ALL IN” philosophy, the Bring Your Own Guts moments.
No moment was bigger than when LB Ben Boulware made that vital stop on the 2-point conversion attempt by the Irish to secure a 24-22 win in a torrential downpour. The Tigers, led by Deshaun Watson, led the Irish 21-3 going into the 4th quarter. Led by QB Deshone Kizer, ND fought back, outsourcing Clemson 19-3 in their comeback effort. Sitting in those rain drenched stands that night, most people didn’t realize what had happened on that play until a couple of seconds later, then the entire stadium erupted.
Fans go through the emotions right along with the players and coaches, and Dabo knows this. Clemson fans are special. There is an emotional bond between the team, fans and students. It still amazes me at the rhetoric you see on social media about Clemson “storming the field after beating Syracuse.” After years and years of fans meeting at the Paw after EVERY game, win or lose, it’s still a talking point. So sad for them.
