Clemson, South Carolina State Agree to 12-Minute Quarters in 2nd Half

With No. 5 Clemson dominating South Carolina State 45-0 at halftime Saturday, the two teams agreed to cut the third and fourth quarters from 15 minutes to 12 minutes. 

According to Aaron Brenner of the Post & Courier, Tigers head coach Dabo Swinney and Bulldogs head coach Buddy Pough made the decision to call for the rare alteration.

Clemson went on to win the game 59-0, improving to 3-0 in the process, while FCS South Carolina State fell to 0-3.

Clemson struggled in its first two games of the season, beating Auburn and Troy by only six points apiece, but it fired on all cylinders against an overmatched Bulldogs team.

With South Carolina State standing virtually no chance of being competitive in the second half, the shortened quarters reduced the risk of further embarrassment for the Bulldogs and injury for both teams.

Clemson largely called off the dogs in the third and fourth quarters, as it primarily used backups.

The Tigers sent out five different quarterbacks in the game, pulling out Heisman Trophy candidate Deshaun Watson after he completed 12 of 15 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns.

While the level of competition was low, the Tigers appeared to get back on track Saturday, which is huge considering it has a big-time matchup with undefeated Louisville coming up in two weeks.

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