Saturday, October 18, 2008

Death Valley Memories

As stated in my previous post, games at Clemson Memorial Stadium (aka Death Valley) against Tech are usually memorable. Here is a rundown of the games I've attended over the last 10 years, almost all remarkable:

1998:
Tigers up 21-17 in 4th quarter. Tech gets ball back with two and a half minutes left. Joe Hamilton gets Tech to the Clemson 4 on two big passes and then Joe Burns runs it in and breaks Clemson heart. Tech 24, Clemson 21.

2000:
Clemson is ranked #4 in the country. They took a 24-28 lead off a Willie Simmons TD pass with 1:52 left and seemingly putting the game out of reach. With only 7 seconds left, Geroge Godsey threw a 16 yard pass that Kerry Watkins acrobatically caught with ONE hand to ruin Clemson's national title hopes. Final 31-28 TECH.

2002:
The "Monsoon" game. It rained the whole game. Not just any rain, but torrential and persistent. I was in the upper deck with nowhere to hide and loving football too much to seek shelter. I've never been wetter in my life. Add to that a 24-19 loss, it was not my favorite night in Clemson.

2004:
Calvin's coming out party. Unranked Tech is making a visit to #18 Clemson. 5 touchdowns in the last 8:19, lots of huge plays and one of the most exciting and unpredictable games I've ever witnessed live. Check this breakdown:
8:19 remaining - Reggie Merriweather runs from 62 yards out to give Clemson a 17-7 lead. Still time though...
4:36 - Reggie Ball finds Levon Thomas for a 19 yard touchdown pass and now Tech is only down by a field goal.
3:18 - The Jackets defense allows Kyle Browning to run from 54 yards out and Clemson is up by 10 again.
1:50 - Reggie Ball caps a 8 play drive with a 8 yard pass to freshman phenom Calvin Johnson, his second TD reception of the night.
:23 seconds left - Clemson, up by 3 just has to punt and play prevent defense. They botch the punt!!! Tech gets the ball at the Clemson 10 with a chance to score or kick a field goal to send the game into overtime.
:11 seconds left - Calvin Johnson catches his THIRD touchdown of the night!! The legend is born, Tech wins 28-24 and I witnessed one of the most amazing games ever.


2006:
I missed this game because I was at my 10 year high school reunion. Good thing, Tech got creamed 31-7.

2008:
See previous post.

Looking forward to 2010...

3 comments:

Emily Bradford Routon said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Emily Bradford Routon said...

let's talk about the clemson at tech history...

Revolu said...

oh sNAP!

fighting werds from ALASKA!