Led by John Heisman in his fourth and final season as head coach, the Tigers compiled an overall record of 4–1–1 with mark of 2–0–1 in SIAA play.

[1][2] The team competed in an early conference championship game, tying the Cumberland Bulldogs, 11–11; in the contest.

[12] The Bulldogs offered Clemson a bushel of apples for every point over 29 it scored against rival Georgia Tech.

One writer noted "Clemson playing against eleven wooden men, would attract attention.

Wiley Lee Umphlett in Creating the Big Game: John W. Heisman and the Invention of American Football writes, "During the first half, Clemson was never really in the game due mainly to formidable line play of the Bridges brothers–giants in their day at 6 feet 4 inches–and a big center named "Red" Smith, was all over the field backing up the Cumberland line on defense.

To the crowd on the sidelines it didn't seem that Heisman's charges could possibly do more than give a gallant account of themselves in a losing battle.

Cumberland expected a trick play when Fritz Furtick simply ran up the middle and scored.

[24] One account of the play reads "Heisman saw his chance to exploit a weakness in the Cumberland defense: run the ball where the ubiquitous Red Smith wasn't.

Some ten minutes of bickering was resolved when the ball was given to patrolman Patrick J. Sweeney, for warning the media and fans to stay down in front and allow spectators to see the game.

[24] The school claims a share of the title;[25][26] Heisman pushed for Cumberland to be named SIAA champions at year's end.

[29] Marvin Bridges and Clemson players Jock Hanvey and Jack Forsythe all coached at Florida colleges the next season.

The following chart provides a visual depiction of Clemson's lineup during the 1903 season with games started at the position reflected in parentheses.