FRIDAY SPORTS: Tigers take field tonight

It’s gameday for Clemson Tiger football. Dabo Swinney’s Tigers take on Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes in the Discover Orange Bowl from Miami Gardens Friday at 8:30 PM. It’s the first meeting between between the two teams since the 1978 Gator Bowl. Ohio State is a 3 point favorite in the latest line from the desert.

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Oklahoma defeated Alabama 45-31 in the AllState Sugar Bowl Thursday night, as the 11th-ranked Sooners upset the Number 3 Crimson Tide behind the play of freshman quarterback Trevor Knight, who completed a Sugar Bowl-record 32 passes for 348 yards and four touchdowns. Alabama QB AJ McCarron passed for 387 yards and two touchdowns, but he had two interceptions that set up Oklahoma TDs, and he had a fumble that was returned for a score in the final minute. Alabama won the BCS national title the previous two years.

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Quarterback Jay Cutler is staying with the Chicago Bears, signing a seven-year deal with them on Thursday. The 30-year-old Cutler, who’s been with Chicago for five seasons, will reportedly get nearly $18 million per year over the first three years and at least $50 million guaranteed.

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South Carolina concludes a stretch of eight games in 18 days on Friday when it hosts intrastate rival SC State in the final non-conference basketball contest before SEC play starts for the Gamecocks next week at Florida. South Carolina has never lost to the Bulldogs, owning a 19-0 all-time record vs. SCSU. The Gamecocks have won three straight and four of their last five games entering Friday evening’s game. Tip-off is set for 7:00 PM at Colonial Life Arena.

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Clemson Head Baseball Coach Jacket Leggett will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on Friday night in Dallas, TX.