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| Fred Cone |
| After the expected win over Presbyterian to start the season, Clemson faced preseason No. 17 Missouri on the road. Cone gained 111 yards in 21 attempts, one of three Tigers over the 100-yard mark that day. In '50, Clemson scored 50 points in three games, but Cone saved his best until his last regular season game against Auburn. Rumor had it that if Clemson scored over a certain number of points on Auburn that the Orange Bowl bid was in its pocket. The South Carolina Tigers took the Alabama Tigers, 41-0. Cone gained 163 yards, two shy of a five-yard average, and scored three touchdowns on the ground, and one on a 28-yard reception. Icing on the cake this time came against Miami in the Orange Bowl. Although Sterling Smith's tackle of Frank Smith in the end zone for a safety brought a 15-14 victory Clemson's way, Cone gained 81 yards on the ground, scored once, punted four times and returned one kickoff. It put a great climax on Cone's career. The 1948-50 era is the only time in Clemson history that has seen the Tigers record two undefeated seasons in a three-year period. Cone and Ray Mathews were the only common denominators in the starting lineup on those two teams. Cone's senior season numbers, 845 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns, were school records at the time. He also set career records for rushing yards (2183) and touchdowns (31). A seven-year hitch with the Green Bay Packers was so impressive that he was inducted into their Hall of Fame in 1974. One year he led the NFL in field goals. He was also a member of the Dallas Cowboys in their first year of existence in 1960. Later he returned to Clemson as its chief recruiter for 10 years beginning in 1961. After Cone completed his Clemson career, Howard was still stumped as to how his sister could predict that her neighbor's brother would be such an outstanding football player. "He just looked so athletic jumping off of that diving board," Hazel said without skipping a beat. |
| Source: 2000 Clemson Football Media Guide |
| Inducted into Clemson Ring of Honor, 1997. First Clemson player to rush for at least 2,000 yards in a career. Second ranked touchdown scorer in Clemson history. Third-round draft choice of the Green Bay Packers. Member of Green Bay Packers Hall of Fame. Member of Clemson Hall of Fame. Named to Clemson Centennial Team, 1996. Led NFL in field goals with 16, 1955. Recipient of Teague Award as the top Amateur Athlete of the Carolinas, 1950. Starter on two Clemson Undefeated teams, one of two players in Clemson history to do that. First-Team All-Southern Conference, 1950. |