Fans passionate about rivalry

For the past fifty-two years, George McCutchen has tailgated at every football game between South Carolina and Clemson. McCutchen’s been a Gamecock fan for a long time.

So when his son went to Clemson, cheering for the Tigers wasn’t that easy. “I have to change my thoughts now. And at least have their fun when they win,” McCutchen said.

One element that makes a good college football rivalry is a relatively long history, and the South Carolina/Clemson Rivalry fits that element.

ESPN considers this rivalry as one of the greatest college football rivalries ever. The others include Auburn/Alabama, Ohio State/Michigan, Texas/Oklahoma, USC/UCLA, Army/Navy, Miami/Florida State, Colorado/Nebraska, Ole Miss/Mississippi State, and Washington/Washington State.

In South Carolina, taking out your in-state rival is more exciting than beating an out-of-state team because you gain status, or more bragging rights.

Currently Clemson leads all bragging rights over South Carolina 62-36 with three ties.

The first game between South Carolina and Clemson began in 1896. At one time, the Clemson-South Carolina game played yearly on a Thursday at the State fair in Columbia. It grew into an unofficial state holiday "Big Thursday," until it came to an end in 1959 as the game was moved to Saturday and no longer had any association with the State Fair.

There were great moments in this historic rivalry. In 1977, in what was called “The Catch,” Clemson quarterback Steve Fuller through a spectacular pass to Jerry Butler in the end-zone with 49 seconds left to give Clemson the 31-27 win. In 2000, in what was called “The Push,” Rod Gardner shoves South Carolina defensive back Andre Goodman just before reeling in the 50-yard toss from Woodrow Dantzler with 10 seconds left, setting up the game-winning field goal for Clemson.

Former Broadcaster for the Gamecocks Bob Fulton called a lot of games against “archrival,” Clemson. Fulton remember when his longtime buddy, the late John Phillips who was the voice of Clemson for 36 years, would never fail to congratulate the team or each other when the game was over.

Fulton says that back in his day, the South Carolina-Clemson rivalry was the talk of the town. “There was no other college game. That was the game that got the big story on the United Press wires, the Associated Press,” Fulton said.

And just like any other rivalry, it has made a huge impact on the jobs of the coaches at the two schools. There was speculation about Coach Tommy Bowden’s future at Clemson after suffering early losses at the beginning of the season. And just two days after the Gamecocks loss to the Tigers on November 22, 2003, Lou Holtz fired four of his assistant coaches that included Chris Cosh, Dave DeGuglielmo, Todd Fitch, and John Gutekunst.

The rivalry also has made a huge impact on the fans. There has been intense loyalty over the past few years between both South Carolina and Clemson. Gamecock fan Katie Johnson says the Clemson and anyone who wears the orange and white. But Clemson fan Hunter Boddika says Gamecock fans like Katie are just jealous because Clemson has always been a better football team then them.

There are other fans feel that this rivalry is all about respect. “I think deep down both teams really respect each other. I think it’s gotten a lot better over the years with Bowden being at Clemson and Coach Holtz being here,” said Gamecock fan Chuck Evans.

But to George McCutchen it’s about the love of the game. “All of us have friends that are Clemson people, and we have disagreements. And we are likely to hold this over our heads for a year,” said McCutchen.

So matter who coaches the teams or wins the game, it’s the tradition that makes this rivalry one of the best in the nation.

Reported by:

Cavin Heath

Cavin Demetrius Heath is from Chester, South Carolina. He is a sports reporter and lead sports anchor for Carolina News. Cavin loves all sports, and his favorite is basketball. Cavin has been seen in the press box at many of USC’s basketball games this year. Recently, he was a freelance writer for “Jim Hudson’s Friday Night Football” at WIS News 10, and he was a sports intern for Ernest Robinson at WACH FOX 57. In his free time, Cavin enjoys weightlifting, watching sports and playing basketball. Cavin’s two ultimate goals are becoming a sports anchor for ESPN and a sideline reporter for the NBA. .