The South Carolina Gamecocks made the list for best plays in college football since 2000.
The South Carolina Gamecocks were recently featured in ESPN’s list of the top 25 college football plays since 2000.
ESPN compiled the rankings based on votes from its writers, and South Carolina’s iconic moment came in at No. 11. For most fans, it won’t take long to recall the play in question—but if you need a refresher, here it is:
“Michigan had the ball following a debated first-down on a fake punt,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote. “They handed it off to Vincent Smith, their 5-foot-6, 175-pound running back, only for Jadeveon Clowney to break through the line untouched and deliver a crushing hit as Smith received the ball. Smith’s helmet and the football were sent flying, and Clowney recovered. ‘It sounded like a car wreck,’ said South Carolina defensive tackle J.T. Surratt.” The Gamecocks went on to win the game 33-28, and Clowney later earned an ESPY for the now-legendary hit.
It was a play that became an instant classic—one of the most memorable moments in modern college football history. While such a hit might draw an ejection under today’s targeting rules, back then, it was viewed as a textbook example of hard-nosed defense.
Although that was the only Gamecock play to crack the list, hope is high for more highlight-worthy moments in the near future. With LaNorris Sellers now leading the team at quarterback, a dramatic win—perhaps another thrilling comeback against Clemson—could help him carve out his own place in college football lore.
