The Rays are such a clutch franchise. Always seem to come up with the big hit when they need to. How wonderful was it to watch the great defensive outfielder and former Ray Carl Crawford fall on his face instead of throwing out the winning run for the Red Sox. This to cap off a pathetic year in which his On Base Percentage was only .289 and hit only 11 HRs and only 18 stolen bases. He can run like the wind and only stole 18 bases? Scott Van Pelt opposite Stuart Scott's ridiculous bow tie said "Tonight is why sports are better than anything else...always."
All these great games and I was already going to think up a list of greatest Clemson games since the turn of the century. Here's the thing though. I'm going to list them in their greatness at that moment. Not looking back, but their greatness when they happened. Of course, sadly, in retrospect none of these wins were very big, but many of them were exciting when they happened. This list was harder to compile than I thought. Not because there are that many wins, but because there are so many factors, exciting finish, beating ranked opponent or big rival, could lead to ACC title (never does!). Anyway here goes:
Honorable Mention
2001 at NC St. 45-37 Woodrow Dantzler probably played the greatest game a QB can play. Look up his stats. It's gross.
2003 Peach Bowl Tenn 27-14 Domination of a SEC opponent
2005 Texas A@M 25-24 Great game to start year. Kicker actually made kicks, 6 of them!!
2007 at So. Car. 23-21 Last second drive and kick for the win.
Drum roll please.....
10. 2011 #21 Auburn 38-24 They may be average this year, but they were national champs last year and they were up 21-7.
9. 2003 at So. Car. 63-17 Always nice to beat your rival this bad in their building.
8. 2003 #8 FSU 26-10 Finally beat FSU after a decade of them dominating the ACC. Was good to get that monkey off the back.
7. 2009 FSU 40-24. Helped to eventually clinch first Atlantic Division crown. In retrospect FSU was awful that year, but who cares. McDaniel destroyed Ponder's shoulder after picking off a ball and pointing right at him. It was great. Sorry about your shoulder though Christian.
6. 2001 at #9 GT 47-44 OT Woodrow was awesome. JJ McKelvey had like 23 catches. Best decision ever to drive to this one. The big wins are always a little sweeter on the road.
5. 2006 #13 GT 31-7 Clemson was #12 and Gameday was in Clemson. The building was rocking. Did not remember this, but the game was only 7-0 at half. I sure remember this being a butt kicking from the start.
4. 2011 # 11 FSU 35-30 Maybe this one will not be as big when we look back, but they are always way more exciting when you are still undefeated. There is always that what if this is finally our year to do something special? Plus the whole last 5 minutes were exciting and surreal.
3. 2000 #14 NC St 34-27 Beat a very good Phillip Rivers led Wolfpack team to go 6-0 and move to #4 in the nation. Felt like Tommy Bowden had something going, but wahhwahh.
2. 2009 at #10 Miami 40-37 OT Felt like this game could get the program over the hump. Great win over good opponent and exciting finish.
1. 2000 So. Car. 16-14 It was cold as crap. It was one of the few where Clemson didn't clutch defeat from the jaws of victory. Clemson did the opposite. The Catch II- Rod Gardner with a subtle push off and a huge catch to set up game winning FG. I was on the hill so it all happened right in front of me.
I ABOUT TOOK A DUMP ON THE HILL WHEN THIS HAPPENED!! Of course I didn't think our kicker would make the FG either!!Note:
I have been at all of the top ten games, but one. Maybe being there skews my list a good bit? The only one I missed was for a wedding! One of the best weddings I've ever been to and we did watch the whole 2nd half on a white curtain (game was projected on to it). I spent the rest of the night yelling "Dabo has turned the corner!" and singing "Daaabo, Daabo Swinney" to the tune of the Top Gun theme played by the DJ. I also rapped Young MC Bust a Move. It was a great night.
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