The Clemson and South Carolina football teams competed in the Palmetto Bowl on Saturday afternoon in Death Valley. It was the 121st meeting between the two teams. South Carolina won a thriller 17-14. The victory was the Gamecocks’ sixth straight, their longest streak since 2013. The game was scoreless at the end of the first quarter, with both defenses making some big plays. TJ Parker sacked South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers on the Gamecocks’ first drive, forced a fumble and recovered it for the Tigers. But Clemson couldn’t score any more points after losing the ball. Clemson found itself in the red zone late in the first and attempted a 4th-and-1, but the Gamecocks’ defense held strong and prevented Clemson running back Phil Mafah from getting the first down. Clemson struck first in the second half. The Tigers went on a quick 3-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a 13-yard touchdown from Klubnik. But the Gamecocks responded quickly and their quarterback showed up on the ground too. On South Carolina’s next possession, the Gamecocks marched down the field and mounted a six-play, 75-yard drive that ended with a 25-yard touchdown by Sellers. The game was tied 7-7 at halftime, the first time in 32 years the Palmetto Bowl was tied at halftime. In the third, Clemson took the lead when Klubnik went for another touchdown, this time with an 18-yard score. The Tigers led 14-7 early in the fourth quarter. In the fourth quarter, Clemson’s defense made another big play. South Carolina pushed downfield and managed an eight-play, 60-yard drive when Sellers’ pass was intercepted by Khalil Barnes. This was Clemson’s third turnover of the game, but the Tigers scored no points after the turnover. South Carolina scored a field goal in the fourth to make it a four-point game. The Gamecocks had the ball in the final minutes and on a big 3rd & 4 play, Sellers broke off a 27-yard run to keep South Carolina’s drive going. On the same drive, with about a minute to play on 3rd-and-16, Sellers went on another big run – this time with a 20-yard touchdown that gave South Carolina a 17-14 lead. Clemson had the ball in the final minute and had a chance to tie or win. The Tigers quickly marched down the field – but with 12 seconds left, Klubnik threw a pass that was intercepted by Demetrius Knight, sealing the Gamecocks’ victory.