By JEFFREY COLLINS
Associated Press
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) - South Carolina's stout defense keeps beating up Clemson's high-powered offense, and it has tipped the scales of the bitter rivalry in favor of the No. 11 Gamecocks.
The No. 15 Tigers ran 23 fewer plays, gained 207 fewer yards and scored 28 fewer points than they averaged all year in Saturday's 27-17 loss to South Carolina.
The Gamecocks have done similar things to the Tigers during their 4-game winning streak in the series. Clemson has averaged 414 yards a game since 2009, but gained just an average of 248 yards against its in-state rivals.
Star Gamecocks defense end Jadeveon Clowney says the reason is simple. He says the Southeastern Conference is more physical and lets South Carolina just push around the Tigers of the Atlantic Coast Conference.
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