1981

1981.

 

Throughout my entire life, it has always been 1981. That was the last year that Clemson won a National Championship in football and it was also the last time that Clemson played for a National Championship.

 

It happened six and a half years before I was born. I have never known a National Championship at Clemson.

 

The story changed last year though when Clemson fought to a 14-0 season and the right to play in the CFP National Championship Game against Alabama. It was a day that a lot of people were sure that they'd never see, but we did. Clemson didn't walk away with a win that game and ended the season as a "finalist" rather than a champion.

 

It wasn't much fun knowing that you had been that close to a National Championship, especially since it truly felt like a once in a lifetime kind of moment.

 

Dabo's quoted for saying in the press conference after the game, "It won't be 34 years before we're back, I can promise you that."

 

He was right.

 

It was one season.

 

1981 has always been this mythological, amazing, revered number in the Clemson football story.

 

Deshaun & Co. added a new number to that story last night:

 

2016

 

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If you're looking for any of your Clemson friends this week, they won't be hard to find. They'll be the ones wearing solid orange all day, everyday and they'll be the ones celebrating like it's 1981.

What a game.

What a night.

What a time to be a TIGER!

"There's something in these hills that you and I can't define and other's can't understand." - Joe Sherman