Some Rivalry History

My grandfather was a referee. He lived in Columbia and refereed ACC games, in addition to many bowl games. My mother grew up going to the Cotton Bowl, the Orange Bowl, Sugar, Citrus... He was a helluva athlete himself (boxing, basketball), but as he aged he fell into refereeing on the weekends.

In 1954, USC was riding a 3-game win streak against Clemson. Back then, the game was still played on Thursday. Big Thursday, as you might recall. This particular game was being played in Columbia, in the aftermath of Hurricane Hazel, a Cat-4 storm that wrecked the east coast.

Frank Howard was Clemson's coach. Late in the game, down 13-8, they recovered a turnover in our territory. They attempted a sort of hook and ladder play, w/ the WR catching the ball and then tossing to an OL coming downfield. My grandfather threw his flag, saying the OL had gotten a false start. The penalty backed them up out of FG range and the drive ended on an INT a play or two later. After the game, Coach Howard - who had long been an advocate of my grandfather's impartiality as a referee - approached my grandfather and told him if he saw on the tape that the call was incorrect, he would end his career.

After the game, my grandfather received harassing phone calls from the Clemson faithful and even a few death threats. They didn't stop until a few days later when Coach Howard came out and said the call was correct. From then on, whenever he was able, Coach Howard requested my grandfather's crew at each game, including bowl games.

That win for USC was our 4th in a row, equaled only by our current streak. And although my grandfather spoke politely of Coach Howard, that episode crystallized his - and our family's - disdain for the Clemson faithful (my brother and I are 3rd gen USC grads, FYI). Every fanbase has their awful elements, but Clemson is - in my experience - unique in that they disclaim ownership of their own bad apples, or even their existence. Don't let em fool you.

Here's to win #5. Let's go Cocks.