The University of South Carolina had another strong Forever to Thee Rivalry Week leading up to the Thanksgiving holiday and the annual football game with Clemson.
Despite a loss on the football field, Gamecock students turned out in strong numbers for a range of rivalry week activities, including the annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive and Tiger Burn pep rally.
Sparking success
After a record-setting turnout at Tiger Burn on Blatt Field in 2024, the tradition reached a new high in 2025 with about 8,000 students, staff and supporters in attendance to see the 20-foot wooden cat go up in a cloud of flames and fireworks.
The event is organized by Gamecock Entertainment with the help of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers, which has overseen the design and construction of the tiger for more than two decades.
This year's tiger featured a new head design and changes to the build's legs and chest structure. Third-year civil engineering and art studio student Jordan Henderson, who serves as president of USC's American Society of Mechanical Engineers chapter, says the tiger was designed to be more 3D this year and produce a longer and more spectacular burn during the rally.
"This is my third year being involved. I love the creative aspect of it and how it intertwines with the engineering and construction goals," Henderson says. "I also love helping people as they come into it, learn the skills, teach them the things they need to know and just kind of see everyone working together to create this cool piece of art."
Four decades of blood battles
For the 41st year, the USC took on Clemson in the Annual Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive Nov. 17 through Nov. 21. While Clemson out-donated USC during the week, nearly 2,000 Gamecocks rolled up their sleeves to donate.
The two schools combined donated 5,666 pints of blood, which can be used to save the close to 17,000 lives.
The Carolina-Clemson Blood Drive Committee, one of the largest student-run organization on USC’s campus, organized the event with the help of the American Red Cross of South Carolina, The Blood Connection and sponsor South Carolina State Credit Union.
Out of 180 organizations participating on the historic Columbia campus, USC Dance Marathon led the way with 36 donors, followed by Delta Zeta sorority and USC Women in Healthcare.
Rolling on
The week was capped with a pair of Greek-run events that inspired pride for the Gamecocks before the rivalry game.
South Carolina's four student-run fraternity and sorority chapters — College Panhellenic Association (CPA), Interfraternity Council (IFC), Cultural Greek Council (CGC) and National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) — coordinated with Clemson to plan a competitive food drive to see which school could donate more non-perishable food items to the community.
Former CPA Vice President of Service Dayna Chappell organized the "Clash of Cans" event on behalf of the council, placing boxes at FSL chapter facilities and offices during the week.
Overall, USC students donated 2,300 pounds of food to Harvest Hope Food Bank compared to 935 pounds donated by Clemson. CPA organizations led the way among the four councils, with USC's Alpha Chi Omega donating the most food at 450 pounds.
"Regardless of the rivalry we are so proud of both school communities for donating about 3,000 pounds of food to Harvest Hope Food Bank. We are thrilled with the success of the competition and can't wait to watch it grow in the coming years," says Megan Furey, who recently took over for Chappell.
Additionally, the on-campus chapter of Theta Tau professional engineering fraternity organized the 2025 Clemson Car Smash, offering students the chance to smash a Clemson-themed car with a sledgehammer in front of the Swearingen Engineering Center.
More than 300 students engaged with event and the nearby Counselors & Coffee station, where students could chat with counselors and learn about stress management and campus mental health resources.
After the 28-14 Clemson win on the football field, the two schools are still engaged in the 2025-2026 Palmetto Series presented by the South Carolina Education Lottery, which will continue through the winter and spring seasons.