One of the most tired cliches in football is the old “you can throw out the records when these two teams play” bit. Yet, old sayings only linger if they happen to be true, and that axiom was proven once again as No. 1 Clemson had all it could handle in a 37-32 win over South Carolina at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday.

5 TAKEAWAYS

A bizarre season winds down: The Gamecocks put forth one of their best efforts of 2015 in a narrow defeat, providing a tiny sliver of silver lining to an otherwise dismal 3-9 season.

The 2016 quarterback may not be on the roster: Perry Orth hit some big plays in the passing game, Lorenzo Nunez found some room running the football and a supposedly healthy Connor Mitch watched it all from the sidelines. But one of the main story lines of this season was the lack of poise and leadership needed at the position. Whomever the new coach is, job No. 1 will be to find a leader to take the snaps next fall.

Out with a bang: If this was the last game for most of the Gamecock coaches, they went out well. The defense gang tackled and forced three fumbles, the punt team devised a formation that eliminated the Clemson return game and the offense put up 32 points on one of the nation’s best defenses.

Letting Pharoh go: Pharoh Cooper played his last game as a Gamecock today, and he was his usual outstanding self. He will be sorely missed next season.

Waiting game: South Carolina could have a new coach as early as next week. It will be interesting to see what direction athletic director Ray Tanner and the search committee go to find the long-term replacement for Steve Spurrier.

REPORT CARD

Offense: (B-) — Mixed the occasional big play with a lack of consistency. Nunez was the leading rusher with 75 yards, and 47 of those came on one play. A more-balanced attack would have led to more than eight points off those three Tiger turnovers — and may have sparked the biggest upset in college football this season.

Defense: (C+) — No one expected South Carolina’s defense to stop Clemson, and it didn’t. The Tigers rung up 515 yards and 25 first downs. The Gamecocks did, however, force turnovers and keep the offense within striking distance in the fourth quarter.

Special Teams: (A) — Elliott Fry missed a 55-yard field-goal attempt, but otherwise, the special teams were outstanding. Sean Kelly had five punts with a 49.8-yard average and the kickoff coverage unit was solid as well.

Coaching: (A-) — We’re grading on a curve here with the talent gap between these two teams being as wide as it is. The defense, with one exception, limited the big plays from Clemson and made the Tigerts earn their way down the field. The offense made a few plays and put some points on the board. Ultimately, the team was in position to win the game late.

Overall: (B+) — A very good effort, and both players and coaches deserve a ton of credit for not mailing in the final game of a disappointing 2015.

GAME PLAN

  • The spread formation on punts forced all 11 Clemson players to the line, eliminating their return opportunities.
  • Mixing in Nunez and Cooper at quarterback changed the look for Clemson. But Nunez’s inability to throw the ball made him easier to handle for defenses.
  • Connor Mitch didn’t play. Why Elliott and G.A. Mangus wouldn’t put him on the field?

GAME BALLS

WR Deebo Samuel: He’s had an injury-marred season, but he put it together in the finale with 104 yards receiving and a touchdown.

LB Skai Moore: He was a warrior on defense with 13 tackles and two forced fumbles on the day.

INJURY UPDATE

RB Brandon Wilds left the game with a concussion in the second quarter and didn’t return.