History of Clemson Tigers football in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 17, 2025

Clemson Tigers football is the intercollegiate American football team representing Clemson University. Competing in the NCAA Division I Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) and the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Tigers have risen to prominence in recent years, establishing themselves as one of the elite college football programs in the United States.

1951: College Football Hall of Fame Opens

In 1951, the College Football Hall of Fame opened in South Bend, Indiana.

1959: Last Game Played on Fairgrounds

In 1959, the last Clemson–South Carolina game was played on the fairgrounds in Columbia, South Carolina.

1960: Alternating-Site Format Implemented

Beginning in 1960, an alternating-site format was implemented for the Clemson–South Carolina game.

1973: Start of Consecutive Seasons Played

From 1973, the Bulldogs and Tigers played each other every season.

1978: Clemson's Regular-Season Loss to Georgia

Clemson's only regular-season loss of the 1978 campaign came at the hands of Georgia.

1978: Georgia Tech Joins the ACC

In 1978, Georgia Tech joined the ACC.

1980: Scott Woerner's Dramatic Returns

In 1980, Scott Woerner's dramatic returns effectively settled the eventual national champion.

1981: Georgia's Regular-Season Loss to Clemson

In 1981, during Danny Ford's national championship run, Georgia's only regular-season setback came in Death Valley.

1981: Nine Turnovers Forced by Tigers

In 1981, the nine turnovers forced by the Tigers effectively settled the eventual national champion.

1982: Clemson's Regular-Season Loss to Georgia

Clemson's only regular-season loss of the 1982 campaign came at the hands of Georgia.

1983: Traditional Home-and-Home Setup Begins

Beginning with the 1983 game, the series between Clemson and Georgia Tech moved to a more traditional home-and-home setup.

1984: Kevin Butler's Critical Field Goal

In 1984, Kevin Butler kicked a critical 11th-hour field goal.

1987: End of Consecutive Seasons Played

The Bulldogs and Tigers played each other every season until 1987.

1990: Blowout by the Tigers

In 1990, there was a blowout by the Tigers against the Bulldogs.

1991: Clemson's Regular-Season Loss to Georgia

Clemson's only regular-season loss of the 1991 campaign came at the hands of Georgia.

1992: FSU Winning Streak Over Clemson

In 1992, Florida State's winning streak over Clemson reached 11 games.

1993: Most Lopsided Contest

In 1993, Florida State won the most lopsided contest against Clemson, with a score of 57–0.

1994: Blowout by the Bulldogs

In 1994, there was a blowout by the Bulldogs against the Tigers.

1999: First Bowden Bowl

In 1999, the first "Bowden Bowl" was played between Clemson and Florida State, marking the first time in Division I-A history that a father and son (Bobby and Tommy Bowden) met as opposing head coaches in a football game.

2000: Clemson Dominance Over NC State

Since 2000, Clemson has won 18 out of 23 contests against NC State.

July 23, 2002: ACC's 50th Anniversary Top 50 Football Players

On July 23, 2002, in celebration of the Atlantic Coast Conference's 50th Anniversary, a committee selected the Top 50 football players in ACC history, with Clemson leading all conference schools with the most players selected.

2003: Clemson Victory Over FSU

In 2003, Clemson secured an 11–6 victory over then-No. 3 Florida State.

2003: Blowout by the Bulldogs

In 2003, there was a blowout by the Bulldogs against the Tigers.

2005: ACC Expansion and Division Split

In 2005, when the ACC expanded to 12 teams and split into two divisions, Clemson and Georgia Tech were placed in opposite divisions but designated as permanent cross-divisional rivals.

2006: Clemson Breaks Losing Streak

In 2006, Clemson broke a 17-year losing streak in Tallahassee with a 27–20 victory over Florida State.

2007: Last Bowden Bowl Game

The 2007 game marked the last "Bowden Bowl" game between Clemson and Florida State.

October 2008: Tommy Bowden Resigns

In October 2008, Tommy Bowden resigned as head coach.

2014: 64th Meeting Between Clemson and Georgia

In 2014, Clemson and Georgia played their 64th meeting, with the series beginning in 1897.

2016: Clemson Thriller Victory Over Florida State

In 2016, No. 3 Clemson pulled off a thriller in Tallahassee, defeating No. 12-ranked Florida State 37–34.

2018: Clemson Ties Seminoles' Worst Loss Margin

In 2018, No. 2 Clemson defeated Florida State in Tallahassee 59–10, which tied the Seminoles' worst loss margin in history.

2019: Clemson Beats FSU

In 2019, Clemson beat Florida State 45–14.

2019: Publication of The Build-up to Death Valley

In 2019, the book "The Build-up to Death Valley: Clemson Football Facilities Before Memorial Stadium" by C.S. Seifried, M. Soles, B.J. Downs, & C. Bolton was published.

2020: Notre Dame Joins ACC Temporarily

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in 2020, the ACC temporarily added Notre Dame as a member for just the 2020 season.

2021: Georgia Defeats Clemson in Duke's Mayo Classic

In 2021, Georgia defeated Clemson 10–3 in the 2021 Duke's Mayo Classic, with neither team scoring an offensive touchdown; Georgia went on to win the national title in 2021.