What Is 1931 Clemson Tigers football team

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Last updated: April 14, 2026

Quick Answer: The 1931 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson College during the 1931 college football season, finishing with a 6–4 record under head coach Walter Riggs, playing as a member of the Southern Conference.

Key Facts

The 1931 Clemson Tigers finished with a 6–4 overall record
They played in the Southern Conference, where they went 3–3
Head coach Walter Riggs led the team in his final season
Clemson played home games at Riggs Field in Clemson, SC
The team defeated rivals South Carolina 13–7 in the Palmetto Bowl

Overview

The 1931 Clemson Tigers football team represented Clemson College in the 1931 college football season, marking the 37th year of Clemson football. Competing in the Southern Conference, the team was led by head coach Walter Riggs, who stepped down after the season, concluding a significant chapter in Clemson’s early football history.

This season was notable for its competitive balance, featuring a mix of wins and losses against regional opponents. The Tigers played their home games at Riggs Field, a venue named after the head coach, and achieved a pivotal victory over archrival South Carolina, maintaining the program’s growing tradition.

6–4 overall record: The Tigers won six games and lost four, showing improvement over previous seasons with a winning percentage of .600.
3–3 conference record: In Southern Conference play, Clemson split its games evenly, demonstrating competitiveness against strong regional programs.
Walter Riggs’ final season: Riggs coached Clemson from 1908 to 1930 and returned briefly in 1931, finishing with a 6–4 mark before retiring permanently.
Home field advantage: Riggs Field in Clemson, South Carolina, served as the team’s home venue, hosting key matchups against conference rivals.
Victory over South Carolina: Clemson defeated South Carolina 13–7 in the annual Palmetto Bowl, a highlight of the season and a morale boost for the program.

How It Works

The 1931 season operated under the standard college football structure of the era, with scheduling, rules, and team organization reflecting early 20th-century norms. Understanding how the team functioned requires examining key roles, strategies, and organizational elements.

Head Coach:Walter Riggs was responsible for team strategy, player development, and game planning, serving as the primary leader for Clemson’s program.
Offensive Formation: The Tigers used the single-wing formation, common in the 1930s, emphasizing power running and deceptive play-action passes.
Player Roster: Rosters in 1931 were smaller than today, with approximately 25–30 players handling both offensive and defensive duties.
Game Schedule: The team played 10 games from September to November, typical for the era, with no postseason bowl participation.
Conference Affiliation: As a member of the Southern Conference, Clemson competed against regional schools like Duke, Maryland, and North Carolina.
Scoring System: Touchdowns were worth 6 points, field goals 3 points, and extra points 1 point, following standard NCAA rules of the time.

Comparison at a Glance

The 1931 Clemson Tigers compared to other Southern Conference teams in performance, conference record, and season outcomes as shown below:

Team	Overall Record	Conf. Record	Key Result	Head Coach
Clemson	6–4	3–3	Defeated South Carolina 13–7	Walter Riggs
Duke	7–3	4–2	Lost to Southern Cal in Rose Bowl	Wallace Wade
North Carolina	5–4–1	2–3–1	Beat NC State 14–0	Chuck Collins
South Carolina	4–5–1	2–4	Lost to Clemson 7–13	Billy Laval
Georgia Tech	7–3	5–1	Won Southern Conference title	William Alexander

The Tigers’ 3–3 conference record placed them in the middle tier of the Southern Conference, behind dominant teams like Georgia Tech but ahead of rivals like South Carolina. Their season reflected steady progress, though they fell short of a conference title. The era emphasized regional matchups and limited travel, shaping the competitive landscape.

Why It Matters

The 1931 season holds historical significance for Clemson football, representing a transitional period before the program’s later rise to prominence. It reflects the evolution of college football in the South and Clemson’s enduring rivalry traditions.

End of an era:Walter Riggs’ retirement marked the close of a foundational coaching chapter in Clemson football history.
Rivalry continuity: The win over South Carolina preserved Clemson’s growing edge in the Palmetto Bowl series.
Conference context: Competing in the Southern Conference kept Clemson aligned with regional powers before the ACC formed in 1953.
Historical development: The 1931 season contributed to Clemson’s long-term athletic identity and program stability.
Pre-modern football: This season exemplifies college football before widespread media coverage and scholarship systems.
Foundation for success: The team’s performance helped maintain interest and support, paving the way for future growth.

While not a championship season, 1931 remains a meaningful part of Clemson’s football narrative, illustrating perseverance and regional competitiveness during a formative decade.