Clemson Football: Counting Down Ten of Tigers Most Iconic Games

Over the bye week staff writer Sam Clemons shares, what are in his opinion, the ten most iconic games the Tigers have played during his lifetime.

The Georgia Trio: 2013, 1986, 1987

No. 6: 2013

On the opening weekend of the 2013 season, No. 8 Clemson hosted No. 5 Georgia. College Gameday traveled to Clemson for just the second time ever, and the game was sold out almost immediately. It was one, the Tiger faithful hoped would be the beginning of a magical season, and they were right.

The game instantly turned into a shootout. Georgia took a 21–14 second quarter lead but then Tajh Boyd took over. After rushing for a first quarter touchdown, Boyd did it again to tie the game at 21. Then he connected with Zac Brooks and Stanton Seckinger for touchdowns. Clemson held a 38–28 lead late in the fourth quarter, but Georgia QB Aaron Murry led the Bulldogs back, diving into the end zone to cut it to 38–35 with 1:19 left. Clemson recovered the onside kick to hold on for the victory.

The win was great, the excitement was tantalizing but the entrance, seen by the viewing public of the entrance into Death Valley from the teams perspective is what made this one iconic. Just watch.

No. 5: 1986

This game, like many Clemson vs. Georgia matchups, was a nail biter that came down to the wire. With 1:11 left on the clock, Rodney Williams calmly directed Clemson down the field inside the Georgia 30. Clemson coach Danny Ford called a timeout with four seconds left and sent out kicker David Treadwell. He nailed a game winning field goal as time expired to give Clemson a 31–28 victory.

No. 4: 1987

In the final game of the annual rivalry, Clemson and Georgia fought like two heavyweight champs going a full 12 rounds. After going back and fourth the entire day and the clock was running down, Clemson continued to methodically punch its way down to the Georgia 5 yard line. Danny Ford called timeout and sent in David Treadwell to try to win the game, just like he had done the year before. And just like the year before, Treadwell’s kick was good, giving Clemson a 21–20 victory in the final game of the annual rivalry.

Jim Phillips, the legendary Tiger play-by-play announcer gave him the moniker, “Mr Clutch.” To this day, he is still remembered by that name. Both he and those two games are legendary.