At a disappointing 1-3 record, head coach Dabo Swinney knows where his Clemson Tigers sit.
They’re highly unlikely to make it back to the ACC Championship Game, let alone the College Football Playoff. It’s the worst start to a season in the Swinney era.
On his Monday night teleconference, the 17th-year head man admitted his team is still searching for consistency on both sides of the ball.
“From a big-picture standpoint, [we] just can’t seem to play complementary football,” Swinney said. “In the first half, the defense really struggled. Offensively, we really were rolling pretty good with limited opportunities and then just got in too much of a hole….we just can’t put it all together right now.”
Dabo Swinney
That inconsistency was found through mistakes in all three phases of the game. Missed blocking assignments and critical dropped passes by the offense. Lackluster tackling and effort at times by the defense. Perhaps worst of all, the mental gaffe by the special teams unit that allowed Syracuse to recover a surprise onside kick in the opening minutes.
Still, a struggling Swinney refused to dwell solely on the negatives, while being realistic about his team’s situation.
“We’re not going to win the national championship this year. We’ve won three in 130 years, but that doesn’t mean we can’t win the season. Doesn’t mean we can’t finish well. And doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the journey, because that’s what this is. It’s part of the journey.”
“Tough times bring out good and bad in people,” Swinney said. “I’m really proud of these young men for how they responded today and their enthusiasm to get back to work tonight [at practice], to focus on what we can do, and to learn from what we’ve already been through.”
That response came in a team meeting Monday that Swinney called “probably one of the best team meetings I’ve been a part of.” Clemson’s leadership showed a lot of disappointment, per their head coach, but are determined to turn the tides on a season that has spiraled out of control quickly.
Swinney also made it clear that Cade Klubnik is still his starting quarterback. Amid fan frustration and disjointed play from the senior, he remains QB1. However, he didn’t slam to door on backup Christopher Vizzina
“There’s confidence in Cade,” Swinney said. “He’s still our starter. And everybody’s got to be better. Coaches have got to be better. Cade’s got to be better. Defense has got to be better, receivers….everybody’s got to be better. But I definitely have confidence in Cade. I definitely have confidence in CV. Who knows what the future holds, but where we are right now, we feel like Cade is still our starter.”
Clemson continues its season in Chapel Hill, N.C. against Bill Belichick’s North Carolina Tar Heels (2-2, 0-1 ACC) on October 4. Kenan Stadium will host the game, which kicks off at 12:00 p.m., and will be televised by ESPN.
