Clemson’s cheerleading squad was endangered by fans of the school’s football team during the fourth quarter of its loss to Louisville on Saturday as debris was thrown from the stands.
The Tigers’ fanbase was angry with Atlantic Coast Conference officials after a replay review said Louisville had recovered an onside kick, not Clemson, despite some video angles showing possible possession for the home team.
There were immediate boos from ‘Death Valley’ after the referee’s decision was announced, quickly followed by dozens of water bottles and other debris being thrown onto the pitch.
The cheerleaders ran from their position near the end zone to avoid being hit by the debris and also to clear the grounds to continue the game.
Some Clemson staff members can also be seen trying to pick up debris from the field.
Clemson’s cheerleaders were endangered by Tigers fans throwing debris on the field
It was the second such incident in college football within a few weeks of it happening in Texas
To make matters worse, on the Cardinals’ first play from scrimmage on the waste-free field, running back Isaac Brown went virtually untouched for a touchdown, putting the game out of reach for the Tigers.
It was a frustrating call for Clemson fans, who were enjoying a resurgent season for their team after a few seasons outside college football’s elite.
With their second loss of the season, the Tigers will now likely have to win to have a chance at making the College Football Playoff.
Clemson fans may have gotten the idea to throw debris on the field after a game involving Texas and Georgia last month, where Longhorns fans also threw objects on the field after a call didn’t go their way.
Unlike Louisville-Clemson, the officials obliged Texas and reversed the call after the trash was thrown onto the turf.
It’s almost as if the intimidation of the Longhorns crowd didn’t set a good precedent for college football, even though it was denounced by the most famous Texas fan, Matthew McConaughey.
Texas was fined $250,000 for the debris-throwing incident, while Clemson will likely face similar punishment from the ACC.
Miami and SMU are in the driver’s seat to appear in the conference championship game, with the winner likely earning an automatic CFP top-four spot.
Clemson needs the Hurricanes or Mustangs to stumble over the next four weeks for a chance to control its own destiny.
That frustration led to another disgusting trash-throwing incident in college football.