What Is 1999 Clemson Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1999 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson University in the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season, finishing with a 7–5 record under head coach Tommy Bowden. They played in the Peach Bowl, defeating No. 22 Louisiana State University 38–35.

Key Facts

Finished the season with a 7–5 overall record
Tommy Bowden was in his first year as head coach
Defeated LSU 38–35 in the 2000 Peach Bowl on January 1, 2000
Played in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC)
Recorded three wins against ranked opponents during the season

Overview

The 1999 Clemson Tigers football team marked a turning point in the program’s modern era, representing Clemson University during the 1999 NCAA Division I-A football season. Led by first-year head coach Tommy Bowden, the team finished with a 7–5 record and earned a berth in the Peach Bowl, signaling a revival after several underperforming seasons.

Playing their home games at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina, the Tigers competed in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) and showed significant improvement from the previous year. The season culminated in a dramatic bowl victory that boosted morale and set the foundation for future success under Bowden’s leadership.

Tommy Bowden took over as head coach in 1999, succeeding Kevin Steele, and immediately improved the team’s win total from the previous season.
The Tigers opened the season ranked unranked but climbed into the AP Top 25 after a 4–0 start, including a win over then-No. 5 Florida State.
Clemson finished the regular season with a 7–4 record, securing a bid to the Peach Bowl, one of the most prestigious non-BCS bowls at the time.
In the 2000 Peach Bowl on January 1, 2000, Clemson defeated the No. 22 LSU Tigers 38–35 in a high-scoring, back-and-forth contest.
Quarterback Woodrow Dantzler emerged as a dual-threat star, throwing for 2,047 yards and rushing for 878 yards, becoming one of the few players to pass and rush for over 800 yards in a season.

Season Performance and Key Games

The 1999 campaign featured several notable performances and pivotal matchups that defined the Tigers’ resurgence under new leadership. From early upsets to a bowl victory over a ranked SEC opponent, the season reestablished Clemson as a competitive national program.

September 11, 1999: Clemson defeated then-No. 5 Florida State 20–15 in Tallahassee, marking one of the biggest upsets of the season and the program’s first win over a top-five team since 1986.
October 16, 1999: A 20–17 loss to North Carolina ended Clemson’s undefeated start and knocked them out of the AP rankings, but they rebounded strongly.
November 6, 1999: A 34–17 victory over Virginia Tech showcased Dantzler’s dual-threat capabilities, as he accounted for three total touchdowns.
November 20, 1999: The Tigers defeated South Carolina 27–24 in the Palmetto Bowl, securing the state bragging rights and a winning season.
January 1, 2000: In the Peach Bowl, Clemson overcame a 14-point deficit to beat LSU 38–35, with Dantzler throwing for 270 yards and three touchdowns.

Comparison at a Glance

Comparing the 1999 Clemson Tigers to the previous and following seasons highlights the team’s transitional role in the program’s history.

Season	Record	Head Coach	Bowl Game	Bowl Result
1998	4–7	Kevin Steele	None	N/A
1999	7–5	Tommy Bowden	Peach Bowl	W 38–35 vs. LSU
2000	8–4	Tommy Bowden	Florida Citrus Bowl	L 21–41 vs. Tennessee
2001	7–5	Tommy Bowden	Humanitarian Bowl	W 49–24 vs. Louisiana Tech
2002	7–5	Tommy Bowden	Georgia Dome	W 27–21 vs. Louisiana-Lafayette

The table illustrates Clemson’s steady climb from a losing season in 1998 to consistent bowl eligibility starting in 1999. The 1999 team’s Peach Bowl victory over LSU was particularly significant, as it was the program’s first win over an SEC team in a bowl game since 1940. This momentum carried into the early 2000s, establishing Bowden as a key figure in Clemson’s football revival.

Why It Matters

The 1999 season was a cornerstone in Clemson football history, bridging a period of decline with the sustained success that would follow in the 21st century. It reestablished the program’s credibility and energized the fan base after years of mediocrity.

The win over No. 5 Florida State was Clemson’s first victory over a top-five team in over a decade, restoring national respect.
Tommy Bowden’s arrival signaled a new era of aggressive offense and recruiting focus, which laid groundwork for future ACC titles.
Quarterback Woodrow Dantzler became a national name, finishing 10th in Heisman Trophy voting in 2000.
The Peach Bowl victory was Clemson’s first bowl win since 1993, ending a five-year drought in postseason success.
Improved recruiting followed, with Clemson signing higher-rated classes in the early 2000s.
The 1999 season also boosted attendance and merchandise sales, reflecting renewed fan enthusiasm.

Ultimately, the 1999 Clemson Tigers served as a catalyst for long-term growth. Their resilience and breakthrough performances helped transition the program into a consistent national contender, paving the way for the dominant teams of the 2010s.