SI Vault: Four Decades of Clemson Football

Clemson claims national titles from the 1981 and 2016 seasons, but the Tigers have had countless other memorable moments in that span as they have risen to the status of a perennial ACC power. Take a look back at the program's best moments, as captured by SI photographers.

SI Vault: Four Decades of Clemson Football

Heinz Kluetmeier

Clemson QB Homer Jordan (3) against Nebraska in the Jan. 1, 1982 Orange Bowl.

Al Tielemans

Clemson players take the field before their 2013 game against Georgia.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Clemson head coach Danny Ford during the 1982 Orange Bowl.

Simon Bruty

Sammy Watkins (2) breaks free during a 2011 game against Florida State.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Jeff McCall (32) runs the ball against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. 1982.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Perry Tuttle (22) makes a touchdown catch to take a 19-7 lead over Nebraska in the third quarter of the 1982 Orange Bowl.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Sports Illustrated's January 11, 1982 cover: Perry Tuttle celebrates after scoring against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Clemson fans in the stands during the 1982 Orange Bowl in Miami, Fla.

Damian Strohmeyer

QB Woody Dantzler (1) dodges tacklers against South Carolina at Memorial Stadium on Nov. 18, 2000.

Bill Frakes

C.J. Spiller (28) takes on Nebraska defenders in the Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Fla. on Jan. 1, 2009.

Heinz Kluetmeier

Bryan McNeal (91) and the Tigers defense pursues Maryland QB Calvin McCall (9) at Memorial Stadium on Oct. 14, 2000.

Simon Bruty

DeAndre Hopkins (6) makes a catch against North Carolina in 2011.

Damian Strohmeyer

The field entrance before a Nov. 18, 2000 game against South Carolina at Memorial Stadium.

Simon Bruty

Martavis Bryant (1) makes a touchdown catch over North Carolina's Charles Brown on Oct. 22, 2011.

Simon Bruty

Orange balloons ready to be released before a Clemson–Florida State game at Memorial Stadium on Sept. 24, 2011.

Simon Bruty

Clemson players and coaches touching Howard's Rock before a 2011 game against Florida State at Memorial Stadium.

Damian Strohmeyer

Rod Gardner (23) makes a catch against North Carolina State on Oct. 7, 2000.

Simon Bruty

Andre Ellington (23) runs past a Florida State defender in a Sept. 24, 2011 game.

Simon Bruty

DeAndre Hopkins (6) during a 2011 game against North Carolina at Memorial Stadium.

Simon Bruty

Andre Ellington (23) scores a touchdown as Maryland's Lorne Goree (53) and Eric Franklin (48) close in during an Oct. 15, 2011 game in College Park, Md.

Al Tielemans

QB Tajh Boyd (10) throws a pass against Georgia on Aug. 31, 2013.

Al Tielemans

Stanton Seckinger (81) stretches for the goal line against Georgia in 2013.

Al Tielemans

Martavis Bryant (1) gets separation against Georgia in Clemson's 2013 win.

Simon Bruty

Memorial Stadium during a 2011 Clemson vs Florida State game.

Al Tielemans

Stanton Seckinger (81) celebrates after a 2013 win over Georgia.

Al Tielemans

Head coach Dabo Swinney on sidelines during a 2013 game against Georgia at Memorial Stadium.

Al Tielemans

Zac Brooks (24) runs the ball against Georgia in 2013.

Al Tielemans

Sammy Watkins (2) makes a play against Georgia in 2013.

Bill Frakes

The Tiger in the stands with fans during a 2009 game vs. Virginia.

Streeter Lecka

Sports Illustrated's December 12, 2015 cover: Deshaun Watson (4) celebrates after winning the ACC championship game against North Carolina at Charlotte's Bank of America Stadium.

David E. Klutho

SI's November 16, 2015 cover: Deshaun Watson runs past Florida State's Terrance Smith (24) at Memorial Stadium.

Simon Bruty

SI's January 16, 2017 cover: Hunter Renfrow (13) makes a touchdown catch with one second remaining to win the national championship over Alabama, 35-31.