Remembering how Steve Spurrier dominated Clemson's Dabo Swinney in the Palmetto Bowl

It may be summer time, and we're still a long ways off from the 2026 college football season kicking off. We might be even further away from Rivalry Week come November, but in-state rivalries—like South Carolina vs. Clemson—ar truly a 365-day affair. 

One of the greatest runs in recent memory for South Carolina in the Palmetto Bowl between the two schools is when none other than the Head Ball Coach, Steve Spurrier, was roaming the Gamecocks' sidelines. 

While Spurrier was the head coach in Columbia from 2005-2015, the HBC finished with a 6-4 record overall against the Tigers. Perhaps most impressive was his 5-2 record against longtime Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney. He had a five-year win streak against the Tigers from 2009-2013. 

Impressively, most of those games were decided by at least a couple scores. 

• 2008: Clemson 31, South Carolina 14
• 2009: South Carolina 34, Clemson 17
• 2010: South Carolina 29, Clemson 7
• 2011: South Carolina 34, Clemson 13
• 2012: South Carolina 27, Clemson 17
• 2013: South Carolina 31, Clemson 17
• 2014: Clemson 35, South Carolina 

Although Spurrier started the 2015 season as South Carolina's head coach, he resigned midseason. Against Swinney, Spurrier's average margin of victory? 16.8 points. Of course, the HBC delivered his classic barbs towards the Clemson head coach throughout the years. One of his famous one-liners was giving an extraterrestrial comparison between himself and Clemson. 

"He's from Pluto, and I'm from Mars." Spurrier responded: "Dabo probably thinks there's only, what, nine planets out there? I think I read where Pluto may not be considered one now."

Most recently in May, Spurrier discussed how he great it was to become South Carolina's winningest head coach with 65 wins by beating Clemson and Swinney in doing so:

But by far one of his greatest hits was when he said that Gamecock fans would rather beat Clemson during a given season than win the SEC. 

“What I've also learned at South Carolina, our fans realize there's more to life than winning the SEC championship. They really do. We're in a state with Clemson. Clemson used to pretty much own South Carolina in football, no question about it. We have a state championship trophy. If you ask our fans at South Carolina, I can assure you a majority would say, ‘We would rather beat Clemson than win the SEC.' That is how big it is to them, that one game. Personally, I'd rather win the SEC. I don't mind saying that. Personally, that's the bigger trophy.”

Most South Carolina fans would honestly likely agree with that sentiment. 

Fast forwarding to 2026, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer will be looking to avenge last year's 28-14 loss to the Tigers. Coach Beamer may  even be coaching to save his job at that point in the season, depending on how things go. Coach Beamer is 2-3 against Clemson and head coach Dabo Swinney, with a 30-33 overall record with the Gamecocks.

ALSO READ: In honor of Steve Spurrier's birthday, let's relive some of his greatest quotes

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This article was originally published on garnetandcocky.com as Remembering how Steve Spurrier dominated Clemson's Dabo Swinney in the Palmetto Bowl.