Dylan Thompson's encore opportunity comes Saturday at Clemson
Thanksgiving Day was much different for Dylan Thompson in 2012 than this week’s festivities less than 48 hours before The Clemson Game.
The primary backup for steady starter Connor Shaw, the wide-eyed junior learned he would be making his first career road against the Tigers post-lunch after learning Shaw would be unable to go with a banged up shoulder.
The nation didn’t find out until 15 minutes prior to an evening kickoff inside a raucous Memorial Stadium.
Can South Carolina’s fifth-year senior catch lightning in a bottle again in Death Valley?
Thompson’s majestic 20-yard scramble on 3rd-and-19 is a play that lives in infamy among Tigers fans, one of several that night that remains scorched in the memory bank heading into Saturday’s 112th rivalry meeting between the schools.
“I don’t really focus on two years ago too much,” Thompson said this week. “I was a lot different as a player I feel like, didn’t know near as much. We’ll go up there and be ready to play.”
While Thompson’s matured as a passer and is nearing Steve Tanneyhill’s single-season touchdown record, so has Clemson’s defense under third-year coordinator Brent Venables.
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Led by pass rushing monster Vic Beasley, the Tigers are hoping to snap a five-game losing skid to the Gamecocks with the nation’s top-rated unit, giving up a stingy 252.4 yards per game. Thompson shredded a so-so secondary two years ago for 310 yards and three touchdowns, but passing windows are expected to be much smaller this time around.
Clemson’s thrived off mistakes up front and leads the nation in tackles behind the line of scrimmage.
It’s the best defense Thompson, a reliable passer who has the occasional jitters with pressure, has faced all season.
“Clemson has had an excellent year and they’ll be ready for us,” coach Steve Spurrier said. “We’re bowl eligible, they’re bowl eligible and it should set up for an excellent matchup between two teams.”