Friday 02/23/2001
Feb. 23, 2001
Clemson, SC-Wofford will replace Tulane on Clemson’s 2001 football schedule, Athletic Director Bobby Robinson announced today. The contest will be played September 8 and will kickoff at 1:00 PM.
Tulane informed Clemson in January that it would not honor its contract to play at Memorial Stadium on October 6, 2001. “We wish to thank Wofford for making changes in their schedule and helping us with a difficult situation,” said Robinson. “They have a winning program that is making great strides under Coach Mike Ayers.”
The Terriers had a 7-4 record last year and were ranked 23rd in the final Division I-AA poll. Among the victories was a 24-6 triumph over Louisiana-Monroe, a Division I-A team. Clemson will return 11 starters and 54 lettermen from its 9-3 squad of 2000.
This will be the 13th meeting between Clemson and Wofford, the first since 1981. A similar circumstance led to that contest 20 years. In April of 1981, Villanova decided to drop football. When Clemson needed an 11th game, Wofford, then an NAIA school, was added to the schedule.
Clemson won that contest 45-10, but trailed 3-0 at the end of the first quarter. Clemson went on to win the National Championship. Prior to 1981 the two teams had not met since 1940, a 26-0 victory at Clemson under first-year head coach Frank Howard. The first meeting dates to 1896, the first year of Clemson football. Clemson won that contest 16-0. Wofford victories took place in 1925, 1926 and 1933.
The change in the schedule means Clemson will play four home games to start the season, the first time that has happened since 1979. It also means Clemson will play just two home games after September 23, the October 20th Homecoming game with North Carolina and Bowden Bowl III against Florida State on November 3. Clemson will now have 12 days to prepare for the NC State game in Raleigh slated for October 11th.
Robinson said the first two games would kickoff at 1:00 PM. The only other kickoff available at this time is the October 11th game at NC State. That contest, which will be televised by ESPN, will kickoff at 8:00 PM. Times for the Sept. 15 Duke contest and the September 22 Virginia game will be announced in July. The other game times will be known 12 days prior to kickoff.
Clemson will open the season September 1 against Central Florida, the first meeting between the two schools. Clemson’s Spring Game will be April 7 at 3:00 PM at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Fan Appreciation Day is slated for August 12th.
December 8, 2024
