Clemson hosts Charleston Southern in Military Appreciation game

Clemson will host Charleston Southern on Saturday, Oct. 17, at noon ET in Memorial Stadium, with the game broadcast on ACC Network. The matchup is designated as Military Appreciation Day, honoring Clemson's history as a military institution from its founding in 1889 until transitioning to a coeducational civilian university in 1955. The national anthem will feature a flyover by two F-15s. Memorial Stadium is named in honor of Clemson alumni who died in military service, and the Scroll of Honor behind the east end zone bears the names of nearly 500 such alumni.

Clemson enters the contest at 3-2 following a bye week, with victories over Georgia Southern, North Carolina, and Cal, and losses to LSU and Miami. Charleston Southern arrives at 3-3, having defeated South Carolina State, The Citadel, and Point University (NAIA), while losing to Georgia Southern, Lindenwood, and Gardner-Webb. The FBS-versus-FCS matchup continues Clemson's commitment to in-state programs; the Tigers have played 300 of their 1,347 all-time games against South Carolina opponents and maintain a 221-66-13 record against in-state foes.

Clemson will pay Charleston Southern $450,000 and provide 500 complimentary tickets for the game. This is the Tigers' second "buy game" of the season, following a similar arrangement with Georgia Southern in Week 1. Charleston Southern will start redshirt sophomore quarterback Jared Echols after he replaced starter Lek Powell following a five-week stretch in which Powell completed 51.6% of his passes for 552 yards, three touchdowns, and one interception. Echols made his first career start in Week 6 against South Carolina State, completing 17-of-29 passes for 194 yards and three touchdowns, plus 28 rushing yards.

For Clemson, starting nickel Corian Gipson will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering a knee injury against Miami in Week 5; Auburn transfer Donovan Starr will assume his role. West Georgia transfer defensive tackle Kourtney Kelly is expected to make his Clemson debut after recovering from an ACL tear suffered during spring practice. Backup quarterback Christopher Vizzina continues recovering from an elbow injury sustained in Week 2 against Georgia Southern but has shown improvement in practice.