Meeting No. 57 · Thursday, October 22, 1959
1959 Clemson vs. South Carolina: Clemson 27, South Carolina 0
The last Big Thursday and Frank Howard's kiss goodbye
FinalCarolina Stadium, Columbia, SC
No. 17 Clemson 4-1
27
South Carolina 3-2
0
Quick answers
- Who won?
- Clemson
- Final score
- Clemson 27, South Carolina 0
- When and where
- Thursday, October 22, 1959 · Carolina Stadium, Columbia, SC
- Series after this game
- Clemson leads 33-21-3
Clemson 33-21-3Series after this game
ClemsonWon the most recent meeting
57 of 122Meeting number
27 ptsMargin
27 ptsCombined points
Clemson 4, SC 5, 1 tie1950s through this game
How the game went
For 64 years Clemson had traveled to Columbia for the game during the State Fair. Clemson coach Frank Howard wanted a change, saying his team wasn’t getting half of the tickets or concession sales and that the Thursday date knocked a game off Clemson’s schedule.
After the win, Howard was photographed looking out over Carolina Stadium and blowing a kiss, one of the rivalry’s most iconic images. The series became a Saturday home-and-home in 1960.
Notable facts
- Last Big Thursday game, ending the State Fair tradition in Columbia
Game facts
| Date | Thursday, October 22, 1959 |
|---|---|
| Site | Carolina Stadium, Columbia, SC |
| Meeting | No. 57 (Big Thursday era) |
| Head coaches | Clemson: Frank Howard · South Carolina: Warren Giese |
| AP rankings | Clemson: No. 17 · South Carolina: Unranked |
| Records after game | Clemson: 4-1 · South Carolina: 3-2 |
| Attendance | 47,000 |
Next up · Meeting No. 123
The next Palmetto Bowl
Saturday, November 28, 2026