Against a clear, chilly backdrop Monday evening, a 30-foot construction of Clemson's mascot went up in flames in USC's annual Tiger Burn.
The Tiger Burn is the last big event of Rivalry Week before the football game this Saturday. The Carolina-Clemson rivalry reaches back to the late 1800s and stems from more than athletic competitiveness. Today, the rivalry primarily manifests itself in the days leading up to Thanksgiving, which always precedes the game.
The event is highly anticipated by many students, but especially freshmen who have never experienced it before.
"It's just something that everyone talks about," first-year marketing student Caitlin Dingler said. "It's a big tradition with USC that you have to do as a freshman … You want that memory for the rest of your life."
First-year chemical engineering student Jacqueline Phillips was excited for the energetic atmosphere.
"I'm most excited to see all of the students coming together, school spirit and all of that," Phillips said. "As an engineering (student), it's cool to see what the mechanical engineers built and appreciate their work."
This year, the 30-foot upright tiger was built by USC's chapter of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME). According to Mackenzie Taylor, fourth-year mechanical engineering student and member of the crew that built the tiger, the entire project took about six weeks to complete, including about two weeks of planning at the beginning and the construction itself.
Similar to previous years, there were several precursors to the burning of the tiger. Local band Whiskey Mikes played music as students began to gather. Slightly after 6 p.m., a group of cheerleaders took to the stage to lead several of the Gamecock cheers, followed by performances by Project Dance and the Carolina Girls dance team. Cockappella, the co-ed a cappella group, and singer-songwriter Alec Kroc gave short performances as well.
Finally, interim head football coach Shawn Elliott, joined by the football team, spoke briefly about the upcoming game and their appreciation of students' support. Despite the team's shaky season, many students were enthusiastic about the Tiger Burn and have hopes for the upcoming game, like fourth-year exercise science student Madison Hancock.
"I think people have accepted that we're not very good this year, but everyone's still having fun," Hancock said. "We are all just holding onto hope that we might beat Clemson this year."
After all the performances and speeches were over, the "2001: A Space Odyssey" theme began to play, much like before a kickoff at Williams-Brice, as anticipation heightened. This was followed by "Sandstorm," and traces of smoke could be seen curling from around the tiger's base.
Moments later, as "Sandstorm" exploded, flames crawled up the sides of the tiger and engulfed its body and head. The detailed snout and eyes were quickly consumed, and the front legs fell off dramatically and embers and burning scraps of paper fluttered into the sky.
In minutes, all that remained was a skeletal wooden frame and several piles of ashes.
Taylor, who has helped build the tiger in years past, said that the best part is always watching the tiger go up in flames. He was pleased at the turnout and is optimistic about the game.
"This is the best turnout I've ever seen," he said. Of the upcoming football game, he said, "Honestly, you can never tell, especially with Clemson and Carolina … I like our odds."
News Staff Writer Emily Mewborne contributed to this story.