Clemson Football: Counting Down Tigers Ten Most Iconic Games, Day One

Over the bye week staff writer Sam Clemons counts down the ten most iconic games the Tigers have played during his lifetime.

Starting today, I will share two games each day. I hope you will enjoy my selections and share your thoughts. I purposely didn’t include the three National Championship Games. Those are in a whole other category of iconic.

#9 2001 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech

This was a much anticipated payback game for the Clemson Tigers, after the Yellow Jackets defeated the then #4 ranked Tigers 31-28 in Death Valley the previous season. While there were many memorable plays made by great players, no one created more excitement than Clemson QB Woody Dantzler.

The Tigers, hoping to get revenge for the 2000 loss the No. 11 ranked Yellow Jackets, arrived in Atlanta very motivated.

From the outset, this was literally a back and forth contest that went into overtime. In the extra session, Georgia Tech could only manage a field goal. When the Tigers took their overtime possession, Dantzler scampered into the endzone on an 11 yard run to seal the much deserved 47-44 victory. It was a monumental game for Tommy Bowden’s Tigers, who after the game proclaimed this as Clemson’s greatest road victory in 20 years. I’d say at that point in time, it absolutely was.

10. 2012 Chick-fil-a Bowl: Clemson vs. LSU

After missing out of competing for the ACC Championship, (in spite of identical 7-1 conference records and having the tiebreaker, FSU won the Atlantic Division title), the Tigers were invited to participate in the Chick-Fil-a Bowl to play Les Miles’ LSU Tigers. With two Tigers in a “cage match,” anything can happen, right?

In a not so spectacular start, Sammy Watkins fumbled on the second play of the game. As I watched on, I began to feel sick. After ending the first quarter tied, the teams exchanged touchdowns in the second quarter. LSU led 14-13 at the half, after Chandler Catanzaro’s PAT was blocked.

Clemson was held scoreless in the third quarter as LSU was able to further extend their lead. The Bayou Bengals opened the third quarter with a 57-yard touchdown run from Jeremy Hill to make the score 21–13. After forcing Clemson’s Andre Ellington to fumble, LSU was able to extend their lead 24–13 on a 20-yard field goal from Drew Alleman.

Clemson’s defense dominated the fourth quarter, holding LSU to only 1 yard of offense. The Tigers were able to cut into LSU’s lead early in the fourth quarter on a 26-yard field goal from Chandler Catanzaro, making the score 24–16. After forcing LSU to punt, Clemson was able to once again cut into LSU’s lead on a 12-yard touchdown pass from Tajh Boyd to DeAndre Hopkins. The two-point conversion was unsuccessful, however, making the score 24–22 with 2:47 left in regulation.

On LSU’s next possession, LSU was unable to run out the clock or force Clemson to use any timeouts. Les Miles is still mocked for some of the questionable play calls on the infamous three and out. LSU punted the ball away, giving Clemson the ball back with only 1:39 left in regulation at Clemson’s own 20-yard line.

Clemson’s drive started poorly, as Boyd failed to complete his first two passes of the drive. On the third play of the drive, he was sacked. Facing a 4th and 16 at their own 14-yard line, Boyd was able to keep the drive alive on a 26-yard pass strike to Hopkins. Boyd was then able to lead Clemson to LSU’s 20-yard line to set up a 37-yard field goal attempt for Chandler Catanzaro. Catanzaro was able kick the field goal as time expired, giving Clemson a 25–24 victory. It was to be a coming out party for the Tigers on the national stage and over the next 8 years, Clemson soared to new heights of success.

#9 2001 Clemson vs. Georgia Tech

This was a much anticipated payback game for the Clemson Tigers, after the Yellow Jackets defeated the then #4 ranked Tigers 31-28 in Death Valley the previous season. While there were many memorable plays made by great players, no one created more excitement than Clemson QB Woody Dantzler.

The Tigers, hoping to get revenge for the 2000 loss the No. 11 ranked Yellow Jackets, arrived in Atlanta very motivated.

From the outset, this was literally a back and forth contest that went into overtime. In the extra session, Georgia Tech could only manage a field goal. When the Tigers took their overtime possession, Dantzler scampered into the end zone on an 11 yard run to seal the much deserved 47-44 victory. It was a monumental game for Tommy Bowden’s Tigers, who after the game proclaimed this as Clemson’s greatest road victory in 20 years. I’d say at that point in time, it absolutely was.