1982

Field hockey and the Men's and Women's Fencing teams are dropped as sports by the university.

The Clemson Tigers, wearing orange pants and jerseys, defeat the Nebraska Cornhuskers, 22-15 in the Orange Bowl for a 12-0 undefeated season, clinching the university's first National Championship.

Tiger player Perry Tuttle is featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine after his touchdown catch in the National Championship game against Nebraska in the Orange Bowl.

The tenth-ranked Tigers defeat Wake Forest, 21-17, in the Mirage Bowl, played in Japan. Clemson finishes with 9-1-1 season record, 6-0 in the ACC for the conference title. The probationary Tigers are ineligible for post-season play but are ranked eighth by the Associated Press final poll.