What Is 1970 Clemson Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1970 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University during the 1970 NCAA University Division season, finishing with a 6–5 record under head coach Charlie Pell. They played their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina.

Key Facts

The 1970 Clemson Tigers finished the season with a 6–5 overall record.
Head coach Charlie Pell led the team during his second season in charge.
Clemson played home games at Memorial Stadium, also known as 'Death Valley'.
The Tigers were part of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) but did not win the title in 1970.
They defeated rival South Carolina 23–0 in the Palmetto Bowl that year.

Overview

The 1970 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the NCAA University Division football season, marking the program’s 75th season of intercollegiate football. Competing as a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC), the Tigers were led by head coach Charlie Pell, who was in his second year at the helm. The team played its home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina—a venue affectionately known as 'Death Valley' due to its intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.

Finishing the season with a 6–5 overall record and 3–4 in conference play, the 1970 squad showed improvement over the previous year but fell short of a bowl appearance. Despite missing postseason play, the season included a dominant victory over rival South Carolina and several competitive performances against ACC opponents. The team’s performance laid groundwork for future rebuilding efforts under Pell’s leadership.

Record: The Tigers finished the 1970 season with a 6–5 overall record, showing modest improvement from their 5–6 mark in 1969.
Head Coach: Charlie Pell served as head coach for his second season, continuing efforts to revitalize Clemson’s football program after a period of decline.
Home Stadium: All home games were played at Memorial Stadium, a 70,000-seat venue in Clemson, South Carolina, known for its loud fan base.
Conference: Clemson competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference, finishing 3–4 in ACC play, placing them in the lower half of the standings.
Rivalry Win: The Tigers defeated the South Carolina Gamecocks 23–0 in the annual Palmetto Bowl, marking a significant highlight of the season.

Season Performance

The 1970 campaign featured a mix of close losses and solid wins, reflecting a team in transition under Charlie Pell’s guidance. While not achieving bowl eligibility, the Tigers demonstrated resilience in key matchups and showed promise on both offense and defense.

September Start: The season opened with a 10–0 win over Virginia Tech, setting a positive tone with a strong defensive performance.
Key Loss: A 24–7 defeat to North Carolina in October highlighted struggles against top-tier ACC competition.
Offensive Output: Clemson scored 181 points over 11 games, averaging just over 16 points per game for the season.
Defensive Stats: The defense allowed 182 total points, indicating a nearly even point differential across all contests.
Non-Conference Play: The Tigers went 3–2 in non-conference games, including wins over Virginia Tech and Citadel.
Season Finale: The year concluded with a 23–14 victory over Duke, providing momentum heading into the offseason.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1970 season is best understood in context with surrounding years. The table below compares key metrics from 1970 to the previous and following seasons.

Season	Overall Record	ACC Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game
1968	3–7	3–4	Charlie Pell (1st year)	No
1969	5–6	3–4	Charlie Pell (2nd year)	No
1970	6–5	3–4	Charlie Pell (3rd year)	No
1971	4–6–1	3–3–1	Charlie Pell (4th year)	No
1972	5–6	3–4	Charlie Pell (5th year)	No

The data shows that 1970 was Clemson’s best season during Pell’s early tenure, though consistency remained an issue. While the team improved its win total, injuries and narrow losses prevented a bowl berth. The 1970 season stands out as a brief peak before performance dipped again in 1971.

Why It Matters

The 1970 Clemson Tigers represent a transitional phase in the program’s history, bridging the gap between prolonged struggles and future success. Though not a championship contender, the season contributed to long-term development under Charlie Pell’s leadership.

Program Foundation: The 1970 season helped stabilize the program after years of losing records, setting the stage for future improvements.
Recruiting Momentum: Competitive performances aided in recruiting, helping Pell lay groundwork for stronger future rosters.
Rivalry Dominance: The shutout win over South Carolina reinforced Clemson’s growing edge in the Palmetto State rivalry.
Stadium Legacy: Continued strong attendance at Memorial Stadium reinforced the importance of home-field advantage.
Coaching Development: Pell’s experience during this era later contributed to his success as a defensive coordinator at Florida.
Historical Context: The 1970 team is remembered as part of Clemson’s climb toward national prominence in the 1980s.

While overshadowed by later national title teams, the 1970 Tigers played a quiet but meaningful role in Clemson football history. Their modest success kept fan interest alive during lean years and contributed to the foundation of future glory.