The 1983 Clemson Tigers football team was an American football team that represented Clemson University in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) during the 1983 NCAA Division I-A football season . In its sixth season under head coach Danny Ford , the team compiled a 9–1–1 record (7–0 on the field against conference opponents, but officially 0–0 ), was ranked No. 11 in the final AP Poll , and outscored opponents by a total of 338 to 200.[ 2] [ 3] Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina .
Clemson was on probation for recruiting violations, and was ineligible for the ACC championship and a bowl bid. As a result, their games against ACC opponents, against whom they were an undefeated 7–0 on the field, did not count in the league standings.[ 4] [ 1]
James Farr and James Robinson were the team captains. The team's statistical leaders included quarterback Mike Eppley with 1,410 passing yards, fullback Kevin Mack with 862 rushing yards, Ray Williams with 342 receiving yards, and placekicker Bob Paulling with 90 points scored (18 field goals, 36 extra points).[ 5]
Date Time Opponent Rank Site Result Attendance Source September 3 1:00 p.m. Western Carolina * W 44–1069,962 [ 6] September 10 6:00 p.m. at Boston College * L 16–3132,000–32,500 [ 7] September 17 1:00 p.m. No. 11 Georgia * Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC (rivalry ) T 16–1679,815 [ 8] September 24 1:00 p.m. Georgia Tech Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC (rivalry ) W 41–1473,882 [ 9] October 8 1:00 p.m. Virginia Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC W 42–2178,376 [ 10] October 15 1:30 p.m. at Duke W 38–3119,300 [ 11] October 22 1:00 p.m. NC State W 27–1773,773 [ 12] October 29 1:00 p.m. Wake Forest Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC W 24–1765,475 [ 13] November 5 1:00 p.m. at No. 10 North Carolina W 16–353,689 [ 14] November 12 1:00 p.m. No. 11 Maryland No. 17 Memorial Stadium Clemson, SC W 52–2780,615 [ 15] November 19 1:30 p.m. at South Carolina * No. 13 W 22–1374,550 [ 16] *Non-conference game Rankings from AP Poll released prior to the game All times are in Eastern time
[ 17] [ 18]
1983 Clemson Tigers football team roster
Players
Coaches
Offense
Defense
Special teams
Head coach Coordinators/assistant coaches Legend (C) Team captain(S) Suspended(I) Ineligible
^ a b Williams, Larry (2012). The Danny Ford Years at Clemson ^ "2016 Media Guide" (PDF) . clemsontigers.com . Clemson Athletics. 2016. pp. 200–208. Retrieved June 23, 2017 .^ "1983 Clemson Tigers Schedule and Results" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 4, 2019 – via Newspapers.com .^ Wilbon, Michael (November 12, 1983). "For Clemson, Maryland's Almost a Bowlful: 'Obviously, This Is Clemson's Season'The Washington Post ^ "1983 Clemson Tigers Stats" . SR/College Football . Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved October 4, 2019 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Tigers maul Cats" . The Danville Register . September 4, 1983. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Stradford carries BC past Clemson" . The Hartford Courant . September 11, 1983. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Tigers, Dogs fit to be tied" . The Greenville News . September 18, 1983. Retrieved November 4, 2023 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Clemson rolls past Tech" . Anderson Independent-Mail . September 25, 1983. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Eppley's passing helps Clemson cool Virginia's ambitions 42–21" . The Charlotte Observer . October 9, 1983. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Forgetful Clemson survives Blue Devils scare 38–31" . The Atlanta Journal & Constitution . October 16, 1983. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Clemson was down, but not out" . The Greenville News . October 23, 1983. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Tigers shade Wake Forest, 24–17" . The Sun-News . October 20, 1983. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Defense leads Tigers' victory over Tar Heels" . Durham Morning Herald . November 6, 1983. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ "Clemson: Unofficial ACC champs" . The Rocky Mount Telegram . November 13, 1983. Retrieved January 29, 2024 – via Newspapers.com .^ Mike Hunt (November 20, 1983). "Clemson wins a fight to the finish" . The Greenville News . p. 1C – via Newspapers.com . ^ "Clemson Football Media Guide - 1983" . Clemson University . 1983. pp. 80–90. Retrieved November 10, 2023 .^ "Clemson Football Media Guide - 1984" . Clemson University . 1984. p. 0. Retrieved November 10, 2023 .
