Clemson’s Dabo Swinney says Shane Beamer has done an ‘awesome, awesome job’ at USC

Even in a rivalry, there’s respect from opponents.

Ahead of the regular season-ending Palmetto Bowl game, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney complimented South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer on his first year with the program.

“They’ve done a great job, had a huge win last night,” Swinney said Sunday evening in reference to the Gamecocks’ 21-17 win over Auburn. “I think Shane’s done an awesome, awesome job in building that team. They’ve had some adversity as well that they’ve been able to overcome.”

With the win over the Alabama-based Tigers, South Carolina earned bowl eligibility for the first time since 2018. The Gamecocks will try to get a win over the Tigers on Saturday for the first time in seven tries when Clemson travels to Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia.

“They’ve got some good players,” Swinney said of South Carolina. “They’re running the ball well. They’ve got a couple really good skill guys outside, a big offensive line. Their D-line is really good. It’s a really good group. We just go back to work just like we try to get ready every single week. We’ll have good meetings and good practice, get ready.”

Clemson enters the contest on a four-game winning streak after trouncing 10th-ranked Wake Forest 48-27 in the home finale. The victory improved the Tigers’ home winning streak to 34 and made for 13 straight wins over the Demon Deacons. The team’s ACC championship appearance streak is on the line as it awaits the outcomes of the Wake Forest-Boston College and N.C. State-North Carolina games to know who’ll represent the Atlantic Division. The Tigers need the Eagles and Tar Heels to win for Clemson to reach the ACC title game.

The Palmetto Bowl took a one-year hiatus when the SEC played a conference-only 2020 schedule in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, many of the current underclassmen have not played in the contest. A new Gamecocks coaching staff also brings a different element to the game.

Even still, the rivalry remains. Out of all Clemson’s goals for each year, only one is centered around a team — South Carolina. The Tigers set out to win a state championship, which means beating the Gamecocks in the annual Palmetto Bowl.

“That’s why we always say South Carolina is a season and a goal of its own,” Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said. “It’s a standalone goal on our goal board, so everyone knows from the moment you get here, this is a very important game to a lot of people. You’re playing for a trophy on Saturday, a state championship. We’re excited about it.”

South Carolina vs Clemson info

Who: South Carolina (6-5) vs Clemson (8-3)

When: 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 27

Where: Williams-Brice Stadium, Columbia

TV: SEC Network