CLEMSON, S.C. – Quarterback Cade Klubnik led No. 12 Clemson (9-3) inside the 20-yard line with less than a minute to play, but a deflected pass was intercepted by Demetrius Knight Jr., sealing the 17-14 win for No. 12 Clemson (9-3). 14 South Carolina (9-3) at Memorial Stadium in the 121st edition of the Palmetto Bowl presented by the South Carolina Education Lottery. South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers scored the game-winning touchdown on a 20-yard scramble on 3rd-and-15 with 1:08 to play and the Gamecocks held on for the win.

Klubnik completed 24 of 36 passes for 280 yards and added 10 runs for 62 yards and both of Clemson’s touchdowns on the ground. Clemson had six tackles for a loss, three sacks and forced three turnovers, but Sellers was able to escape pressure and make big gains several times, including on the final scoring play.

The teams played a scoreless first quarter. South Carolina managed 51 yards on its first drive of the game in six plays, but TJ Parker’s school-record fifth forced fumble of the season ended the Gamecock threat. Later in the quarter, Clemson mounted a 10-play, 85-yard drive but was stopped on a fourth-and-1, leaving the score at 0-0.

Clemson scored first on the Tigers’ third drive. Clemson started the drive with a 40-yard pass from Klubnik to Antonio Williams, and two plays later, Klubnik scampered 13 yards for his sixth rushing touchdown of the season and a 7-0 Clemson lead.

The Gamecocks responded on their ensuing possession with a 25-yard touchdown run from Sellers. The six-play, 75-yard drive evened the score at 7-7 as the teams remained tied until halftime.

On Clemson’s first drive of the second half, Klubnik capped an 11-play, 80-yard drive with his second touchdown run of the day. The 18-yard rush gave the Tigers a 14-7 lead.

Clemson ended South Carolina’s first drive of the second half with the Tigers’ second takeaway of the day. Cornerback Avieon Terrell forced his second forced fumble in his last two games, and linebacker Barrett Carter recovered the loose ball to give the ball back to the Tigers. Clemson was unable to capitalize on the turnover as an errant exchange between Klubnik and Phil Mafah was credited to the Gamecocks on review.

The rally continued on South Carolina’s next possession when safety Khalil Barnes intercepted a Gamecock pass at the Clemson nine-yard line, setting his career high in the third period of the season. Barnes now has an interception in both games of his career against South Carolina.

After a scoreless drive by Clemson, South Carolina scored back-to-back scoring drives as kicker Alex Herrera converted a 42-yard field goal to cut the lead and a 20-yard touchdown rush by Sellers with 1:08 left The end of the fourth quarter gave the Gamecocks a 17-14 lead.

Klubnik led a seven-play, 45-yard drive to put the Tigers inside the 20, but South Carolina secured the win on Knight’s interception with 12 seconds left.

With the regular season now complete, Clemson awaits its goal(s) for the postseason. At 7-1 in conference play, Clemson can clinch its 10th all-time ACC Championship berth, an ACC record, with a loss at Miami (Fla.) this afternoon at Syracuse. Clemson would then face SMU in the 2024 ACC Championship Game in Charlotte on Saturday, December 7th.

In the event of a Miami victory, Clemson would instead await its destination for a first-round College Football Playoff game or bowl game, which will be announced during the College Football Playoff selection show on Sunday, December 8 is given.