Throwback Thursday: Reliving the Clowney hit a New Year’s tradition
By Ethan Levine
Published:
Thursday is New Year’s Day, a day that has become monumental on the college football calendar each year.
SEC teams have littered the New Year’s Day bowl schedule for years now, ushering in the new year with dazzling displays of skill and athleticism.
But one New Year’s Day play continues to stand above the rest in recent SEC history.
Former NFL No. 1 pick Jadeveon Clowney and his South Carolina teammates took on Michigan in the Outback Bowl on the first day of 2013, hoping to reach 11 wins for the second season in a row.
That task was made more challenging when the game officials ruled that Michigan had picked up a first down on a fake punt executed midway through the fourth quarter. Replays indicated the Wolverines’ runner might have been down before the line to gain, but the officials allowed UM to maintain possession with a one-point lead and eight minutes remaining.
One play later, Clowney won possession back for South Carolina with a hit many of us will never forget.
The former All-American burst through the line of scrimmage and drilled Michigan tailback Vincent Smith as he received a handoff deep jun his own backfield. The hit knocked the helmet off Smith’s head and the ball out of his hands.
In one fluid motion Clowney delivered the hit, palmed the football to recover the fumble and began running down the field for about 5 yards before finally being dragged to the ground.
The power, athleticism and skill Clowney displayed on the play elevated him to the No. 1 most talked about college football player in America, and 16 months later he was the top pick in the NFL Draft.
On New Year’s Days for years to come fans will continue to relive Clowney’s incredible hit.
What better way to start off a new year, right?
A former newspaper reporter who has roamed the southeastern United States for years covering football and eating way too many barbecue ribs, if there is such a thing.
