For the third consecutive season, Clemson lost several games. And for the second straight, the Tigers lost three games. Friday evening 31-14 switch off at Tennessee in the Orange Bowl landed those numbers, which paint a picture of a declining program under coach Dabo Swinney. From 2015 to 2019, Swinney and company. lost one game less than in the last two campaigns.
Tennessee, playing without key players like Hendon Hooker, Jalin Hyatt and Cedric Tillmanexpose Clemson’s issues as a true freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik was under pressure for much of the game. Afterward, Swinney was asked what his response was to those who say the Tigers’ program has slipped over the past three seasons.
“Well, I mean, I can’t really — I don’t really know what to tell them,” Swinney said. “We’re 11-3. Of course I wish we were unbeaten, but we’ve won the league seven of the last eight years. I think that’s only happened one other time, and that was in the ’70s in Alabama. We’ve been pretty consistent, and we’re going to keep being consistent and keep trying to do everything we can to be undefeated here.
“I think we won more than 11 games – in 1981 we won 12. I think we went 31 years before we won 11 games again at Clemson, and we did that in 2012, and I think we’ve done it eight times in the last 11 years so I think we’ve been incredibly consistent Disappointing tonight for sure but hey we got high – no one has Higher expectations than what we have I promise you Once again we will keep going We will keep working There are many bright days ahead of us Many bright days ahead of us People say what they want We’ve always done it, we always will. We’ll just keep doing what we do. I’ve heard all these things before.
Clemson’s offense has plummeted the past two seasons under former quarterback DJ Uiagalelei, who has since moved to Oregon State. Klubnik is a five-star former rookie who threw for over 300 yards on Friday, but he also had a few interceptions.
The Tigers weren’t national championship contenders early in Swinney’s tenure, but became one of college football’s top programs once they figured out their defense under the former coordinator. Brent Venables. Clemson has now missed the college football playoffs in two straight seasons for the first time since the event began.
“We’re not perfect; we work hard and try to win every game,” Swinney said. “These guys are busting their ass. You’ve all seen what this kid has the ability to do. He’s got a few games – we’ve all got games we’d love to get back, but you’ve got a chance to see how good he is. can be special, and you see the hearts of these guys. You have a freshman, a sophomore, and a senior sitting here, and they are three of the greatest ambassadors a university can have.
Again, you want to win every game, and when you’re a competitor, that’s what you’re looking for. But ultimately, seasons come and go. Every year is a new journey. We have improved this year. We didn’t get where we wanted to go, but we improved, especially after a very difficult season last year. Man, I’m, again, grateful for the opportunity we’ve had to get here, and a lot of young guys to learn from. I appreciate our fans who drove.
“We’re all disappointed. My focus is on the young men in this dressing room and making sure we learn from that and keep improving, keep moving forward.”
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