Clemson, USC Fans Start Tailgating Friday

RVs were lined up outside the state fairgrounds parking lots at 9 a.m. Friday to start getting ready for the Clemson-Carolina game Saturday. There were some angry fans, because they were told the gates would open at 9 but they didn’t open until 2 p.m.

But once they got parked and started unloading, the fun began for veteran tailgaters like Jimmy Knight of Powdersville. For the last 12 years, he’s organized a group of about 20 friends and family members who use two full-sized RVs to go the games and tailgate.

“Well this game is just so special,“ he says. “It’s so different. If you’ve never been here, it’s basically similar to going to Augusta at the Masters. If you’ve never been, you really never understand it.“

The USC fan has missed only one Carolina-Clemson game since 1976.

He’s got a different perspective on the game than a lot of his fellow Gamecocks. The 20 or so friends and family members he tailgates with are all Clemson fans.

“It’s a little bit more fun for me ‘cause it’s one against 20 versus 20 against one, so they go a little light on me most of the time,“ he says.

The Clemson fans enjoy having a Gamecock around, too. Cole Garrison, one of the Clemson tailgaters in Knight’s group, says, “It’s just for bragging rights for 365 and you have friends and family from both sides, so it makes for a good time. So we have a good time every year.“

This year, Clemson goes into the game with an 8-3 record and is headed to the ACC championship game, while USC is 6-5. Knight says, “I’d say it’s more important to the Gamecocks but it’s going to be an interesting match up with C.J. Spiller from Clemson and our defense.“ 

Garrison says, “I think they have a lot more to play for than we do. Obviously we’re going to the conference championship, so I think this’ll be a good tune-up for us.“