Dabo Swinney sat slouched at the podium searching for answers that he could not find. Once again, the Clemson Tigers squandered a chance to redeem their 2023 season. Again, a late lead slipped away. On a balmy night in Miami Gardens, the Tigers saw a 10-point margin evaporate in less than eight minutes, and now Swinney and company are left to pick up the pieces of what remains of the season following Clemson’s 28-20 double overtime loss to the Hurricanes.
It was never an auspicious showing. The game was rocky from the start, but for all of the second, third, and early part of the fourth quarters, it seemed as if the Tigers might have just enough to stave off a Miami team playing with its true freshman backup quarterback who had been hounded and harassed all night by the Tigers’ relentless defense.
In the end, even that was not enough. Swinney knows it, too.
“Ebbs and flows in the game on both sides, and they found a way to win, and we found a way not to win,” lamented Swinney. “Just an unbelievably disappointing game. What we want, we have to deserve. We didn’t deserve what we wanted.”
Dabo Swinney
Dabo likened the final result to a broken record. One that keeps spinning even when you want it to stop. Another game losing the turnover battle. Clemson gave the ball away three times to the Hurricanes one. Again, the Tigers could not run the football, especially in short-yardage situations. Miami did and then some.
At some point, just cut the record player off, dust off the plug, reset the mechanism, and hope something works better. Either way, Clemson did not deserve to win the game. Dabo knows that, too.
“We deserved exactly what we got,” he said. “The way we are turning the ball over, it’s hard to win.”
Dabo Swinney
Clemson took a 17-7 lead into the final period. Against a Miami offense that had found virtually no success on the ground all night, that suddenly changed. The Hurricanes put together a 15-play drive, capped by an 11-yard touchdown pass to Colbie Young from true freshman quarterback Emorie Williams.
Clemson went three-and-out on their next drive.
Miami took the ball again, following a 29-yard Aiden Swanson punt, and marched quickly into field goal range. The Tigers held on third down, but a chip shot field goal tied the game at 17-17, ultimately sending the game to overtime.
Both teams traded field goals in the first overtime, then Miami took the ball first in the second extra session. The Hurricanes’ Ajay Allen scored on a one-yard run for the lead, and as Miami attempted the mandated two-point conversion, it appeared Clemson had earned a critical stop to keep it a six-point game.
However, a personal foul penalty on a horse collar tackle gave Miami another shot from the one, and the Hurricanes made good on the second attempt to take a 28-20 lead.
The Tigers had their chances. Cade Klubnik connected with freshman Tyler Brown to the Miami one-yard line to set up first and goal. But the demons that have haunted Clemson through the first seven games of the season manifested once again and doomed the Tigers.
A Shipley run on first down went nowhere. On second down, Klubnik missed an open Brown on a short throw. Going back to Shipley on third down, the junior plowed inside the one leaving the game hinged on one play with the ball sitting six inches from the goal line.
It was supposed to be a direct hand-off to the running back. Dabo would confirm that after the game. Instead, Klubnik inexplicably pulled the ball away from Shipley and tried to outrun the Miami defense to the left pylon. Instead, he was easily sacked, ending the game, and in the process pouring more salt into an already gaping wound for the Tigers.
“It was a hand-off,” said Swinney of the final play. “100 percent, it was a hand-off. I have no answer. (Cade) just trying to do too much.”
Dabo Swinney
Now, it may be too little, too late to salvage Clemson’s season. As he talked to the media, Swinney looked as dejected and defeated as anyone had seen him in a long time. He gave credit to Miami for making the plays the Tigers did not, but also harkened back to his second full season as Clemson’s head coach which was another year Tiger fans would rather forget about.
“You have to give (Miami) credit,” said Swinney. “We couldn’t stop the run in the fourth quarter. They earned it. We are 4-3. That is exactly what we deserved. I feel like I’m reliving the 2010 season all over again.”
Dabo Swinney
Miami rushed for 211 yards on the night. Most of those came in the final quarter and a half. Clemson rushed for 31. The Tigers averaged less than one yard per carry. It is an unfathomable stat for the program that prides itself on running the football right at and down the throats of opponents.
Two bright spots for Clemson were the play of tight end Jake Briningstool and place kicker Jonathan Weitze. Briningstool reeled in five catches for a career-high 126 yards and both Clemson touchdowns. Weitz connected on both of his field goal attempts from 41 and 31 yards.
Klubnik finished the game completing 18 of 34 passes for 314 yards, two scores, and an interception.
Swinney feels bad for the fans and supporters of the program. It seemed as if he were fighting back tears when we said it. Whatever is wrong with Clemson football, Swinney added that it is his job to fix it. Through it all, he stands by his players, too.
“This is still a good team,” stated Swinney. “I love our players. I’m sorry to our fans. They certainly deserve better. My heart breaks for my players and Clemson. It means a lot to a lot of people.”
Dabo Swinney
Added Swinney, “My heart hurts for everyone. I’m responsible. Somehow, I got to help them win. That’s my main responsibility.
Clemson falls to 2-3 in ACC play. The Tigers will be back on the road next week as they travel to play N.C. State.
