30 Best College Football Stadiums of All-Time
By Duncan Smith
Nov 29, 2014; Clemson, SC, USA; A general view of the field prior to the game between the South Carolina Gamecocks and the Clemson Tigers at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
11. Memorial Stadium
Clemson, South Carolina
Capacity: 81,500
Record attendance: 86,092, against Florida State in 1999.
What makes it great: One of the defining features of Memorial Stadium, other than the raucous crowd, is “The Rock” in the east end zone. Originally a gift to then-head coach Frank Howard in the 1960’s, the rock found its way to the top of the hill above the end zone that the players run down to enter the field before games. Howard had no fondness for the rock initially but before the first game Clemson played with the rock in attendance, against Virginia in 1966, inspiration struck and Howard told his players, “Give me 110% or keep your filthy hands off my rock.”
Clemson won that game 40-35, and a tradition was born.
Greatest game played: In 1981, rival Georgia came to Clemson seeking its second straight national championship. The fourth ranked Bulldogs fell in a low-scoring 13-3 battle, and suffered the only loss of legendary running back Herschel Walker’s college career. Clemson finished the 1981 season with a 12-0 record and won the national championship, and Georgia finished second.
Next: Doak Campbell Stadium