Clemson’s cheerleading squad was put in danger by fans of the school’s football team during the fourth quarter of Saturday’s loss to Louisville due to debris being thrown from the stands.
The Tigers’ fan base was upset with the Atlantic Coast Conference’s officials after a replay review stood as called that Louisville had recovered an onside kick and not Clemson, despite some video angles showing possible possession for the home team.
Immediate boos rang out from ‘Death Valley’ after the official’s decision was announced, quickly followed by dozens of water bottles and other debris being thrown on the field.
The cheerleaders ran out of their position near the end zone to avoid being hit by the debris and also to clean it up off the turf to continue the game.
Some of Clemson’s staff members can also be seen trying to pick the debris off the field as well.
Clemson’s cheerleaders were put in danger by Tigers’ fans throwing debris on the field
It was the second such incident in college football in a few weeks after it happened in Texas
To make matters worse, on the Cardinals first play from scrimmage on the trash-less field, running back Isaac Brown went nearly untouched for a touchdown to put the game out of reach for the Tigers.
It was a frustrating call for Clemson fans, who have enjoyed a resurgent season for their team after a few seasons out of college football’s elite.
With their second loss of the season, the Tigers now will likely need to win out to have a chance at making the College Football Playoff.
Clemson fans may have gotten the idea to throw debris on the field from a game last month involving Texas and Georgia, where Longhorns’ fans also threw objects on the field after a call did not go their way.
Unlike with Louisville-Clemson, the officials obliged to Texas and reversed the call after the trash was thrown on the turf.
It’s almost as if the intimidation from the Longhorns’ crowd did not set a good precedent for college football, even if 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 a similar punishment from the ACC.
Miami and SMU are in the driver’s seats to appear in the conference championship game, with the winner likely automatically earning a CFP top-four spot.
Clemson needs the Hurricanes or Mustangs to stumble in the next four weeks to have a chance to control its own destiny.
That frustration led to another disgusting debris-throwing incident in college football.
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