After the game, perhaps swept up in a wave of euphoria, South Carolina head coach Shane Beamer declared his quarterback as “the best player in the country” and urged media members to vote Sellers for Heisman.

No. 12 Clemson (9-3, 7-1 ACC) had one last chance and drove toward the red zone. But Demetrius Knight Jr. made a diving interception with 12 seconds remaining to seal the Gamecocks' second win in three seasons in the Palmetto Bowl series and second in a row at Clemson.

South Carolina stayed in the thick of the College Football Playoff picture with Saturday's thrilling 17-14 win over 12th-ranked Clemson. The Tigers forced three turnovers and twice held the Gamecocks out of the end zone in the fourth quarter before LaNorris Sellers' 20-yard touchdown run in the final moments won it for South Carolina .