Three minutes into South Carolina's game vs. Clemson last November, Gamecocks' quarterback Jake Bentley was intercepted by Jadar Johnson around midfield. Three plays and 55 seconds later, Deshaun Watson hit Mike Williams for a 34-yard touchdowns.
Clemson 7, South Carolina 0
South Carolina went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, with Bentley going 1-for-2 for one yard. Eleven plays and less than four minutes later, Deshaun Watson hit Mike Williams for a 19-yard touchdowns.
Clemson 14, South Carolina 0. Game over.
That was all the scoring Clemson needed. They obliterated their rivals that evening in Death Valley, 56-7, the second-largest margin of victory in series history. Bentley finished 7-for-17 for 41 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception. The Gamecocks were outgained by more than 400 yards, recorded 27 fewer first downs and, above all, scored 49 fewer points. It was a blowout of historical proportions.
I was there. It was ugly.
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The disparity in talent, execution and coaching was clear as day. But according to Bentley, Clemson wasn't that much better.
“We just didn’t play well that week,” Bentley said in an interview with Fox Carolina. “That’s our big quote going into this year. Just, we felt like we got outworked. So our big thing is never again we will be outworked. Never again will be out-competed on a game like that.
"It all stems from that game. Because at the end of the game, everyone knew that they weren’t that much better than us or better than us at all. It really just lit a fire in everybody. Since that week, everyone has worked harder and wanted it more.”
His confidence, drive and relentless are admirable. His assessment of the 2016 Clemson Tigers is perplexing.
The teams meet in the season finale again this season.
