Clemson Tigers football facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Clemson Tigers football
2024 Clemson Tigers football team
First season	1896; 129 years ago
Athletic director	Graham Neff
Head coach	Dabo Swinney 15th season, 170–40 (.810)
Stadium	Memorial Stadium (capacity: 82,000)
Field	Frank Howard Field
Year built	1942
Field surface	Natural Grass
Location	Clemson, South Carolina
NCAA division	Division I FBS
Conference	Atlantic Coast Conference
Past conferences	Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Association (SIAA) (1896–1921) Southern Conference (SoCon) (1921–1952)
All-time record	798–472–45 (.624)
Bowl record	27–23 (.540)
Playoff appearances	6 (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020)
Playoff record	6–4 (.600)
Claimed national titles	3 (1981, 2016, 2018)
National finalist	4 (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019)
Conference titles	27 (21 ACC, 4 SIAA, 2 SoCon)
Division titles	9
Rivalries	Alabama (rivalry) Auburn (rivalry) Florida State (rivalry) Georgia (rivalry) Georgia Tech (rivalry) NC State (rivalry) South Carolina (rivalry)
Consensus All-Americans	31
Current uniform
Colors	Orange and Regalia
Fight song	Tiger Rag
Mascot	The Tiger
Marching band	Clemson University Tiger Band
Outfitter	Nike

The Clemson Tigers are the exciting American football team from Clemson University in South Carolina. They play in the top level of college football, called the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS). The Tigers are part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). They are known as one of the best college football teams in the United States.

The Clemson football program started in 1896. They have won many games, with a total record of 790 wins, 466 losses, and 44 ties. The Tigers have played in many important bowl games, winning 28 of them. They have been in the College Football Playoff finals four times. They won the national championship in 2016 and 2018 by beating Alabama.

Clemson has had six perfect seasons without any losses. From 2015 to 2021, they made it to the playoffs six times in a row. They have won 27 conference championships, including 8 since 2011. Many Clemson players have become All-Americans, and over 250 have played in the National Football League. Eight former Tigers, including players and coaches, are in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Clemson is a founding member of the ACC. They hold the record for most ACC titles with 21 wins. This includes six ACC titles in a row from 2015 to 2020. Their most recent ACC title was in 2022. The Tigers have had eleven seasons in a row with 10 or more wins. This is the second-longest streak in college football.

The Tigers play their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina. Fans call their stadium "Death Valley." This nickname was given in 1948 because visiting teams often lost there. Memorial Stadium is one of the biggest stadiums in college football.

History of Clemson Football

Walter Riggs, who helped start Clemson football

How Clemson Football Started

Walter Riggs is known as the "father of Clemson football." He brought the sport to Clemson in 1896. The team played its first game on Halloween in 1896. They finished their first season with 2 wins and 1 loss. Riggs also helped choose the team's mascot and colors.

Early Success and Key Coaches

Clemson had its first perfect season in 1900 under coach John W. Heisman. He led the team to a 19-3-2 record. Heisman set a high standard for the team's future success.

Frank Howard coached the Tigers from 1940 to 1969. During his time, Clemson won two Southern Conference titles and six ACC championships. Howard was known for his fun personality and stories. He started the tradition of touching "Howard's Rock" before games. The playing field at Memorial Stadium is named "Frank Howard Field" after him.

National Championship Era

In 1981, Danny Ford led the Tigers to their first national championship. They had a perfect season that year.

Coach Dabo Swinney

The modern era of Clemson football is led by coach Dabo Swinney. He became head coach in 2008. Swinney has made the Tigers one of the top teams in the country. He led them to multiple ACC championships. They also won two national titles in 2016 and 2018. Under Swinney, Clemson became the first team since 1897 to finish a season with a 15-0 record. In 2022, Clemson set a new ACC record with 38 home wins in a row.

Clemson's Championships

National Titles

Clemson has won three national championships.

• In 1981, they beat Nebraska in the Orange Bowl to finish undefeated. They were named the national champions by all major polls.
• In 2016 and 2018, they won the College Football Playoff. They beat Alabama in the championship game both times.

Conference Titles

Clemson has won 27 conference titles in total. This includes 21 ACC titles. Their 21 ACC titles are the most of any school in the conference.

† Co-champions

Division Titles

The ACC used to have two divisions. Clemson won its first Atlantic Division championship in 2009. They have won 9 division titles in total.

Playoff Appearances

Clemson has been chosen for the College Football Playoff six times. They have a record of 6 wins and 4 losses in playoff games. They won national championships in 2016 and 2018 through the playoffs.

Bowl Game History

Clemson has played in many bowl games, with a record of 27 wins and 23 losses. Here are some of their most recent bowl games:

Clemson Traditions

Clemson football has many unique and exciting traditions!

Howard's Rock

In the 1960s, a friend gave coach Frank Howard a rock from "Death Valley, California." Howard used it as a doorstop for years. In 1966, he told someone to put it outside. It was placed on a stand at the top of the hill where the team runs onto the field.

The first time players ran past the rock, they won their game. Coach Howard then told his players, "Give me 110% or keep your filthy hands off of my rock." Since 1967, the team has rubbed the Rock for good luck before games.

Gathering at the Paw

After every home game, win or lose, fans are allowed to come onto the field. They gather around the center of the field to sing the alma mater. There's a clock that tells fans when it's safe to enter the field. This tradition is a special way for fans and players to connect.

Running Down the Hill

This is one of Clemson's most famous traditions! It's called "The Most Exciting 25 seconds in College Football." Players used to run from their locker room to the field. Now, they ride buses around the stadium to the top of "The Hill."

When the buses arrive, players gather at Howard's Rock. A cannon fires, the band plays "Tiger Rag," and the players run down the hill onto the field. During "Tiger Rag," fans loudly spell out C-L-E-M-S-O-N.

The Graveyard

Near the practice fields, there's a mock cemetery called "The Graveyard." It has "tombstones" that celebrate Clemson's wins against ranked opponents when playing away from home.

Military Appreciation Game

Clemson has a strong history as a military school. Each year, the team wears purple uniforms for the Military Appreciation Game. This game honors the university's military background and service members.

Rivalries

Clemson has many exciting rivalries with other college football teams.

Alabama Crimson Tide

Clemson and Alabama have a long history, first playing in 1900. Clemson won the first three games. Alabama then won 13 games in a row.

Recently, this rivalry has become very intense. The teams have played each other four times in the College Football Playoff National Championship. Clemson won in 2016 and 2018, while Alabama won in 2015 and 2017. Alabama currently leads the series 14–5.

Auburn Tigers

Clemson and Auburn are often called "sister schools." They first played in 1899. Clemson ended Auburn's 14-game winning streak against them in 2010. Auburn leads the overall series 34–15–2.

Florida State Seminoles

From 1999 to 2007, games between Clemson and Florida State were called the "Bowden Bowl." This was because Bobby Bowden coached FSU and his son, Tommy Bowden, coached Clemson.

Clemson has had a strong record against FSU since 2003. They ended a 17-year losing streak in Tallahassee in 2006. In 2018, Clemson beat FSU 59–10, one of FSU's biggest losses ever. Florida State leads the overall series 21–15. These teams are permanent rivals in the ACC and will continue to play every year.

Georgia Bulldogs

The Bulldogs and Tigers have played 64 times since 1897. This rivalry was very important in the early 1980s. Both teams were often competing for national championships.

The games are usually very close and exciting. Georgia won the most recent game in 2021. Georgia leads the series 43–18–4.

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets

Clemson's rivalry with Georgia Tech started in 1898. Both teams were once coached by John Heisman. The schools are close, only 127 miles apart. Georgia Tech leads the series 50–36–2, but Clemson has won the last 9 games in a row.

NC State Wolfpack

The yearly game with NC State is called the "Textile Bowl." This is because both schools focus on textile research. It's a very competitive rivalry for fans. Clemson leads the series 60–30–1.

South Carolina Gamecocks

The Clemson–South Carolina rivalry started in 1896. It's the biggest annual sporting event in South Carolina. For many years, the game was played on "Big Thursday" at the state fairgrounds. Since 1960, the teams play in each other's home stadiums. This game is now called "The Palmetto Bowl." Clemson leads the series 73–43–4. It's considered one of the most intense rivalries in college football.

Clemson Football Hall of Famers

The College Football Hall of Fame honors the best players and coaches. Clemson has had 8 people inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Retired Numbers

Clemson honors special players by retiring their jersey numbers. This means no other player can wear that number.

Famous Clemson Players in the NFL

Many Clemson Tigers have gone on to play in the National Football League (NFL). Here are some of them:

• Davis Allen - TE, Los Angeles Rams
• Bryan Bresee - DT, New Orleans Saints
• Travis Etienne – RB, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Clelin Ferrell – DE, Washington Commanders
• Tee Higgins – WR, Cincinnati Bengals
• DeAndre Hopkins – WR, Tennessee Titans
• Grady Jarrett – DT, Atlanta Falcons
• Dexter Lawrence – DT, New York Giants
• Trevor Lawrence – QB, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Myles Murphy - DE, Cincinnati Bengals
• Isaiah Simmons – LB, New York Giants
• Deshaun Watson – QB, Cleveland Browns
• Christian Wilkins – DT, Las Vegas Raiders

Images for kids

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  Clemson Tigers football uniform