1949

1949 in Clemson History

[edit] Events in 1949

January 1: Clemson Tigers complete their first undefeated football season since 1900, 11-0, beating the Missouri Tigers in the fourth annual Gator Bowl in Jacksonville, Florida, 24-23. This is the most successful match in the Gator Bowl Association's sponsorship and the attendance of Tiger fans literally saves the Gator Bowl from financial collapse as the first three years were less than sell-outs. Attendence given as 32,939. The Gator Bowl Association will always hold a warm spot in their hearts for Clemson, as the team that saved the series. Then, as now, the Tigers travel well. Coach Howard will acknowledge this team as the one that saved his career for the rest of his days. ClemsonWiki administrator C. Mark Sublette's father, Richard A. Sublette was a left end with this squad. (DiMarco, Anthony C., "The Big Bowl Football Guide", G.P Putnam's Sons, New York, 1974, revised edition 1976, ISBN 399-11800-4, page 109.)
May 5: The Tiger newspaper reported that Tiger Brotherhood selected Mrs. P.S. Rochester, from Salem, S.C., as Clemson's first "mother of the year." She was selected because she had the most sons (six) graduate from Clemson.

August 16: Margaret Mitchell, author of "Gone With The Wind", dies in hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, five days after being struck by an off-duty taxi driver as she crossed Peachtree Street at 13th Street with her husband, five days earlier. She never regained consciousness. She was 49.
September 17: In a night game, Clemson rolls over Presbyterian in home opener, 69-7.
September 24: Rice University snaps Clemson's longest winning streak at fifteen games with a 7-33 victory over the Tigers in a night game played in Houston. Rice will enjoy a 10-1 season.
October 1: The Tigers win night game at N.C. State, 7-6.
October 8: Clemson and Mississippi State tie, 7-7, in Memorial Stadium night game. Miss. State will be winless, 0-8-1.
October 20: The Tigers are defeated by South Carolina, 13-27, in Columbia.
October 29: In a night game, Clemson hosts Wake Forest, loses, 21-35.
November 5: Boston College visits Clemson, defeats Tigers, 27-40.
November 12: Clemson hosts Duquesne in a night game, winning, 33-20.
November 19: The Tigers defeat Furman in Greenville, 28-21.
November 26: Clemson and Auburn play in Mobile, Alabama, tie, 20-20. Clemson has a 4-4-2 season, 2-2 in conference play, eighth in the Southern Conference.

The 1940's

1950