In obvious mismatch, Clemson, SC St agree to shorten game

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Sixty-minute football has just turned into 54-minute football in the Clemson-South Carolina State game. With the fifth-ranked Tigers leading

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Sixty-minute football has just turned into 54-minute football in the Clemson-South Carolina State game.

With the fifth-ranked Tigers leading 45-0 at halftime on Saturday, the coaches of both teams agreed to shorten the third- and fourth quarters from 15 to 12 minutes each.

Referee Stuart Mullins announced the change to the crowd before the second half began. A recent NCAA rule allows for games to be shortened - by time, not with a running clock - by mutual agreement of the coaches.

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In 2013, two games were shortened in the second half because of lopsided scores. In those games, Louisville beat FIU 72-0 and Miami beat Savannah State 77-7.

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AP college football website: collegefootball.ap.org