Dabo has a strong message for Clemson fans who say USC game felt like a loss

Clemson pulled away for a 56-35 victory against South Carolina on Saturday night at Death Valley and earned its fifth consecutive win against the Gamecocks in the process.

But some critics and Clemson fans were disappointed after the Tigers allowed USC quarterback Jake Bentley to pass for 510 yards and South Carolina to put up 600 yards of offense, the fifth-highest total Clemson has ever allowed.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney had a message for those people Sunday evening during his teleconference previewing the ACC Championship Game against Pitt.

“I just want to win by one more point. If that ever gets to where that’s not enough, then it’s time for me to move on somewhere else. I ain’t never going to apologize for a 21-point win over a state rival, ever,” Swinney said. “You people who suggest that it felt like a loss, y’all need to check yourself, too. I’ve been here 16 years. For all those people out there that want to complain about five wins in a row, winning by three touchdowns, man, that’s shameful. That’s a lack of respect for our program and a lack of respect for the effort that these players and coaches put in. I hope you write that.”

Clemson is enjoying an unprecedented level of success under Swinney as the Tigers are playing in their fourth consecutive ACC title game.

With a win, Clemson will clinch a spot in the College Football Playoff for the fourth consecutive year and a chance for another national championship. The Tigers also just improved to 12-0 for only the third time in school history.

“If 12-0 ain’t good enough, it’s time to seek other places... When that’s not enough for some people it’s sad,” Swinney said. “There’s been some articles pushed my way, some comments from people. Man, this program’s never going to be that way. I’m not going to stand for that. It’s too hard to win... These players work too hard. The goal is to win, period. That’s just the way it is. I don’t want to ever be a program, ever, that doesn’t appreciate winning. When you win by three touchdowns in a state championship, you got people who can’t appreciate that, man, that’s really sad. That’s really sad.”

Swinney emphasized that fans should never take winning for granted.

“Just look around college football. There’s a lot of places out there that would love to have the program we have here,” Swinney said. “I can assure you of that.”

This story was originally published November 25, 2018 at 5:13 PM.