A controversial call in Saturday’s rivalry game between No. 12 Clemson and No. 15 South Carolina has sparked significant debate among college football fans.
The stakes for this year’s Palmetto Bowl were high, with the winner expected to climb in the College Football Playoff rankings.
While Dabo Swinney’s Tigers awaited the outcome of Miami-Syracuse to determine their ACC Championship Game eligibility, Shane Beamer’s Gamecocks faced a must-win scenario after falling out of SEC title contention.
Clemson entered the matchup as a slim 2.5-point home favorite, per FanDuel, following last year’s 16-7 victory in Columbia. However, South Carolina managed to deliver an upset, with freshman quarterback LaNorris Sellers scoring a game-winning rushing touchdown to secure a 17-14 win and keep their playoff hopes alive.
The controversy revolves around a pivotal officiating decision that swung momentum in South Carolina’s favor.
The critical moment occurred with Clemson leading 14-7 and 5:26 remaining in the third quarter. Quarterback Cade Klubnik mishandled a handoff attempt to running back Phil Mafah, stumbling before pitching the ball. Mafah struggled to secure the ball and was initially ruled down. However, after a lengthy official review, the ruling was overturned, awarding possession to South Carolina.
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney was visibly frustrated with the reversal, a sentiment echoed by some fans and analysts, including college football commentator David Pollack. The controversial decision remains a focal point of discussion in the aftermath of South Carolina’s dramatic victory.
“That fumble call in the Clemson-South Carolina game is a criminal offense. That’s such horse shee!!!! Wow!!!!!!!” college football analyst David Pollack reacted in frustration. Fans also expressed their outrage over the controversial call, with one writing, “First they stop the play in the middle of the play, then they make the absolute worst overturn I have ever seen. He had control and tried throwing the ball. He was down.”
Some fans accused the SEC officiating crew of bias in favor of South Carolina. One fan commented, “SEC bias, period,” while another added, “SEC officials do us no favors.”
However, as is often the case with divisive calls, others defended the decision, arguing that the overturn was correct and aligned with the rules. The debate continues as fans from both sides dissect the game-changing moment.
“To be down, you must have possession. No one in orange had possession with a knee (or anything else) down. The QB pitches before his knee hits. The back never had control of the ball. This looks like a good overturn to me,” one fan argued in defense of the call. Another added, “Live, I thought the RB was down. On replay, it’s absolutely clear and conclusive he never had possession. 100% correct.”
Despite the controversy, Clemson still had an opportunity to win the game in the closing minutes. However, quarterback Cade Klubnik threw an interception at South Carolina’s 18-yard line, sealing the Gamecocks’ 17-14 victory.
Clemson (9-3) now depends on Syracuse defeating No. 6 Miami on Saturday to secure a spot in the ACC Championship Game against No. 9 SMU, with a potential College Football Playoff bid on the line. Meanwhile, South Carolina (9-3) will await the playoff committee’s decision, hoping to earn a berth in the 12-team postseason field.
