1981 National Championship

The 1980 campaign, when Clemson stumbled into mediocrity with a 6–5 record, haunted Coach Danny Ford all winter. He had believed his squad was capable of being in a bowl game that year, but three close losses to Georgia, North Carolina State, and North Carolina by a combined total of 13 points had made it only an average season.

Yet, after preseason practice was over, Ford had a good feeling about the 1981 campaign with 53 returning lettermen waiting. He didn't know how good. The Tigers went unbeaten and won the national championship for the first time in their history. Nobody could ask for more.

Game 1: Wofford

The season-opening game against Wofford was truly an accommodation by the small South Carolina school. Villanova was originally scheduled to play Clemson; but when the Philadelphia school abruptly dropped its football program, it left Clemson with an Opening Day void. Quickly, Clemson athletic director Bill McLellan reached for the phone and called Wofford's athletic director George "Buddy" Sasser, who also happened to be the Terriers' football coach, and he agreed to the game.

Under a hot sun, Wofford received the opening kickoff of the 1981 season. Donald Igwebuike buried the kick in the end zone, and the Terriers put the ball in play on the 20-yard line. They surprised the sold-out crowed by keeping the ball for more than 8:00 and reaching the Clemson 7-yard line before being stopped. Don Hairston gave the Terriers a 3–0 lead with a 24-yard field goal.

Perry Tuttle immediately made his presence felt. He returned Hairston's kickoff 38 yards to position a Clemson field goal. Igwebuike displayed a powerful leg when he tied the game with a 52-yard field goal.

It wasn't until six minutes had gone by in the second period that Clemson got the lead. It came suddenly and dramatically. Homer Jordan and Tuttle combined on a picture-book 80-yard touchdown pass that had Tigers fans roaring. Bob Pauling's conversion gave Clemson a 10–3 edge. The next time they got the ball the Tigers scored again. Jordan completed an eight-play, 76-yard drive by running the last 14 yards around left end on a keeper. Pauling's kick made it 17–3 minutes before the first half ended.

Clemson received the second half kickoff and marched 73 yards for a touchdown. Jordan hit wide receiver Frank Magwood with an 11-yard throw. Pauling's kick stretched Clemson's lead to 24–3. Just before the third quarter ended, Clemson scored again. Jordan scored his second touchdown by going over from three yards out. Pauling added the extra point to give the Tigers a 31–3 lead.

On its first series in the final period, Clemson scored its fifth touchdown. Chuck McSwain sped around left end for five yards to complete a 56-yard drive. Igwebuike converted; and the Tigers led 38–3. Wofford finally scored again when it recovered a fumble on the Clemson 39-yard line. Ten plays later, Barry Thompson hit tight end Dirk Derrick with a 15-yard scoring pass. Hairston's conversion made it 38–10. Clemson closed out the scoring a minute from the end when Jeff McCall broke over right tackle for 10 yards for a touchdown. Pauling booted the extra point that made the final score 45–10.

Game 2: Tulane

There were two areas of concern that confronted Ford as he began his preparations for Tulane.

For one thing, Clemson had never played a game indoors before. That wasn't all. It was playing its first night game in five years, which didn't seem too important except for the fact that it allowed the players a lot of free time before the game in the city's famed French Quarter — a nearby distraction.

"Playing in the Superdome, the Astroturf, a night game, that's all new to us," Ford said.

Clemson received the opening kickoff but couldn't do much. The offense managed to reach Tulane's 37-yard line but Igwebuike's 55-yard field-goal attempt was short. Tulane took over at that point and drove to Clemson's 28-yard line before stalling. However, Vince Manalla booted a 46-yard field goal that provided Tulane with a 3–0 lead.

Misfortune struck Clemson following the kickoff. After failing to produce a first down, Dale Hatcher was sent in to punt from the 26yard line. However, the ball was snapped over his head and rolled into the end zone....