The streak is over for Jadeveon Clowney, but unfortunately for his South Carolina Gamecocks, so is the SEC season.
The Gamecocks' defensive end recorded a sack of Clemson's Tajh Boyd to snap a two-month sackless stretch in his much-criticized junior season. He also had another tackle for loss, and a quarterback hurry in South Carolina's 31-17 win over the rival Tigers. But with Missouri beating Texas A&M shortly after South Carolina's game ended, the Gamecocks' hopes for a berth in the SEC Championship Game were squashed.
It was Clowney's first sack since the Gamecocks' third game of the season against Vanderbilt, and only his third all year. The star junior recorded 13.5 as a sophomore in 2012. Clowney is expected to declare early eligibility for the NFL draft before the NFL's Jan. 15 deadline for underclassmen.
Boyd threw two interceptions and was held without a touchdown pass. After the game, Clowney spoke about the Gamecocks' strategy against Boyd, adding that he "gets the jitters" after you pressure him.
Clowney is set to have surgery to remove bone spurs from his right foot after the Gamecocks' bowl game.
Fellow defensive lineman Kelcy Quarles, also a top NFL prospect at his position, had an even bigger game with 2.5 sacks against Clemson, giving him 9.5 for the season. Like Clowney, the junior Quarles is considering an early jump to the NFL.
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