Don Tribble is a diehard Clemson University fan who bleeds orange and white on most fall Saturdays.

When Tribble makes the trip to Death Valley today, however, it’s not to root for the “home” team.

Instead, it’s the visiting team from his hometown of the past 20 years that will get his support.

For one Saturday, Tribble will don in Clemson Memorial Stadium the garnet and blue of South Carolina State University. It was a decision that in his words was not as emotionally conflicting as expected.

“Not at all,” he said. “I’m going to be ... rooting for them and wearing my South Carolina State jersey.”

Tribble and Orangeburg Mayor Paul Miller, another avid Clemson supporter, will be standing on the S.C. State sidelines during the game.

The deciding factor for Tribble is his friendship with S.C. State head football coach Oliver “Buddy” Pough. He’s worked closely with Pough the past seven years as board members for the Orangeburg Touchdown Club and has also supported efforts to increase season-ticket sales for South Carolina State and other endeavors to increase the university’s profile.

“I’m still a Clemson fan. A diehard Clemson fan,” Tribble said. “But I’ve worked with Buddy for seven years and let me tell you something, we could not have this Orangeburg Touchdown Club or what we have here in Orangeburg and the football team we’ve got here in Orangeburg and the cameraderie we have here if not for Buddy Pough.

This is the first-ever meeting between Clemson (2-1, 1-0) and S.C. State (2-1, 1-0) and the fourth Football Bowl Subdivision opponent for the Bulldogs. Last year, S.C. State played Air Force Academy and the University of South Carolina and opened this season against Central Florida.

While the Bulldogs are 0-3 against FBS foes and have been outscored 82-6, Tribble is advising Tiger fans not to take the game lightly.

“If they’re taking it lightly, they’re going to be shocked,” Tribble said. “Buddy’s got a good team. He’s got good players and I tell you something, I believe he can score on them. I know defense is supposed to be their best shot, but if we can stop their running backs and quarterback (Cullen Harper), it’ll be a heck of a game.”

Kickoff for today’s S.C. State/Clemson clash is 1 p.m. The game can be heard on WQKI (102.9 FM) and WWBD Bad Dog 95.7, and watched on the Internet at ESPN360.com.

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