Dabo Swinney not surprised ACC went 0-3 vs. SEC on opening weekend
The ACC finished 0-3 against the SEC on the opening weekend of the college football season with Alabama topping Florida State, South Carolina defeating N.C. State and Tennessee knocking off Georgia Tech.
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said Tuesday that he wasn’t surprised by the SEC coming out on top in all three games, but added it’s still early in the season.
“No, it’s a competitive game. If you play games like that you can lose them,” Swinney said. “What does that mean? I don’t know. You better not turn the ball over against good people. If you do that you’ll probably get beat. It’s the first weekend.”
N.C. State outgained USC 504 yards to 246, while Georgia Tech outgained Tennessee 655 to 369. The Wolfpack lost the turnover battle, 2-1, and allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown. Georgia Tech turned the ball over twice, while the Vols didn’t commit a turnover.
The Yellow Jackets dropped the game despite rushing for 535 yards and winning time of possession, 41:18 to 18:17.
“Watching that game last night was torture,” Clemson defensive coordinator Brent Venables said of Georgia Tech rushing for more than 500 yards.
Clemson has a chance to get a win for the ACC against the SEC this weekend when it hosts Auburn.
PRAISE FOR STEELE
Auburn defensive coordinator Kevin Steele has resurrected his career after being fired at Clemson in 2012.
He led Auburn’s defense to a No. 7 finish in the country in scoring defense last season, his first at the school. He has a veteran group back for 2017. Swinney is impressed with what Steele has done.
“He’s done a great job. He did a great job here for us,” Swinney said. “They’ve recruited well. They have a very sound scheme. They know what they’re doing. They play hard. They play fast, play physical. They’re confident and they should be. They have a lot of guys back and they have good experience.”
JIMMY GREENBEANS HAS RETIRED
Clemson scout team quarterback Jimmy Greenbeans, also known as Venables, has retired, the Tigers defensive coordinator Venables said.
Freshman quarterback Chase Brice is now in charge of giving the Clemson defense a look at the next opponent.
“I’m coaching. Greenbeans is coaching the quarterbacks, so that’s been nice,” Venables said. “Chase has done a great job. He’s got a great future.”
INJURY UPDATE
Clemson starting free safety Van Smith suffered a minor knee injury last Saturday against Kent State but is expected to play against Auburn.
Swinney is waiting to hear if backup safety Denzel Johnson will be available after missing last week’s game with a pectoral injury, but the Tigers are otherwise in good shape.
This story was originally published September 5, 2017 at 6:27 PM with the headline "Dabo Swinney not surprised ACC went 0-3 vs. SEC on opening weekend."