Cam Newton’s 2026 Hall of Fame Bid Sparks Flashback to Epic Clemson Game in 2010

In the second half, Auburn turned Newton loose. A touchdown pass to Darvin Adams. A long bomb to Terrell Zachary. A backbreaking 8-yard scoring strike that tied it up. Newton finished with 203 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 68 more on the ground. More importantly, he completely flipped the game’s energy — and Auburn’s season.

Clemson clawed back to force overtime, but Newton’s resilience had already taken over. Byrum sealed the win with a field goal, and Auburn escaped, 27-24.

Looking back, it wasn’t just Auburn’s closest call. It was a pivotal moment in Cam Newton’s Hall of Fame campaign. The Heisman and national title would follow, but Clemson — the one team to push Newton to the brink — was the proving ground.

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney remembered the loss years later: “It was a great environment. Auburn's never going to be out of it at home. You're kind of down when you get off the bus there.”

Auburn receiver Darvin Adams was more blunt: “We knew what Cam could do. We saw it every day. But that night? Everyone else saw it too.”

Though Newton only faced Clemson once, that 2010 clash left a permanent mark on both programs. For Auburn, it was the game that galvanized a title run. For Clemson, it was a painful memory — but also a turning point, part of the crucible that would eventually forge its own championship rise.

Now, with Newton poised for Hall of Fame enshrinement, the Clemson game stands tall as a defining moment — when the college football world met Superman.