Clemson, SC (AP, WLTX) - Clemson's offense carried the Tigers to a 56-35 win over South Carolina to keep their national title hopes going, but it wasn't easy, as they had to fend off a record-setting performance from USC quarterback Jake Bentley in the process.
What oddsmakers thought would be a lopsided contest instead turned into a shootout for most of the game, as the teams combined for 1,344 yards of total offense. Clemson put up the most yards against South Carolina ever, while USC put up more yards than any opponent Clemson has faced this year.
The Tigers came in with the second ranked defense in the nation, but it didn't look like it for long stretches, as Bentley threw for 510 yards and 5 touchdowns. The passing yards are the most in Bentley's career, and also is the highest mark for a USC quarterback against the Tigers in the long history of this rivalry.
USC receiver Deebo Samuel had 10 receptions for 210 yards and 3 touchdowns. The receiving yards are the most in his career.
But as they have so often this season, the Tigers used a balance attack of running and passing to wear down the already undermanned Carolina defense. Freshman superstar Trevor Lawrence had a great day, throwing for 393 yards, with Travis Etienne ran for 150 yards. Overall, Clemson piled up 744 yards of total offense, the most by a team against the Gamecocks ever.
It's the Tigers fifth straight win against the Gamecocks. That's the longest win streak for the Tigers against the Gamecocks since they won seven in a row from 1934-40.
The Tigers reached 12-0 for the second time in four seasons and for the third time in program history, starting with its 1981 national title season.
It was the Gamecocks who struck first and kept on going. Bentley threw for 302 yards and three TDs in the opening half, including scoring throws of 67 yards to Kiel Pollard and 75 yards to Deebo Samuel to stick within 28-21 at the break.
Clemson's offense was relentless early on with four touchdowns on its first four possessions, two rushing scores by Choice and another on a 1-yard leap into the end zone by 315-pound Christian Wilkins.
Wilkins came up flexing in celebration, then struck the Heisman pose - which drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty and ire of coach Dabo Swinney who got in Wilkins face for a minute or two on the sidelines.
It was far from the only bit of bravado by the Tigers. After Lawrence's 22-yard TD pass to Tee Higgins to put Clemson ahead for the first time 14-7, the freshman quarterback stared down the South Carolina sideline. But that's common in a heated rivalry where some in the home crowd booed the Gamecocks' band at halftime.
Choice had scoring runs of 1, 2 and 13 yards. His last one gave Clemson 41 rushing TDs this season to set the program single-year mark.
WHAT'S NEXT:
Clemson takes on PItt next week in the ACC Championship. The Tigers will try for their fourth straight ACC title when they take on the number 24 Tigers in the championship game at Charlotte, North Carolina.
A win in that contest likely secures a spot in the college football playoff for the Tigers.
USC faces Akron in a make up game for the game that had to be canceled due to Hurricane Florence. They'll find out which bowl game they'll go to the next day.