Dabo Swinney reacts: What Clemson coach said about QB change, loss to Pitt
Pitt defeated Clemson 27-17 on Saturday at Heinz Field, dropping the Tigers to 4-3 overall and 3-2 in the ACC. Here’s a quick look at some of coach Dabo Swinney’s remarks after the game.
▪ Swinney’s opening comments on the game: “Offensively, just so many missed opportunities, critical turnovers, drops and missed throws. We are what we are right now. We’re (a) very immature, very young and very unconfident offense, that’s for sure. Defensively, I thought we played a good quarter-and-a-half to start the game then we had the big bust on the throw back, busted coverage there. They made a nice play on the third-and-seven spread out touchdown and then they come right back with a two-minute drive and fourth-and-seven to get a touchdown.It’s very disappointing that we didn’t affect the quarterback like we needed to. Eight minutes to go in the game and couldn’t get the ball back, (Pitt quarterback Kenny Pickett) took a knee. They just kicked out butts. Simple as that.”
▪ Injury news: Offensive lineman Matt Bockhorst tore his ACL and tight end Braden Galloway separated his shoulder. Galloway’s injury could be season ending. Swinney also said Clemson receiver Frank Ladson is out for the year after having surgery on Thursday.
▪ More from Swinney on the injuries: “It’s just so disappointing for that young man. He played as a freshman and then last year, he wasn’t available very much, ended up having to have surgery on the left side of his groin and then played a couple games this year and now he’s out for the year. Joe, hopefully we get him back this week. We’ll just have to wait and see where he is. Same thing with EJ. Hopefully, we’ll get him back, but I don’t know where he’s going to be on Monday. … Definitely been down a lot of guys, but as I said many times, we’ve still got enough to win and it’s our job to get it out of them.”
▪ Swinney on benching QB DJ Uiagalelei in the third quarter: “I just felt like I needed to give Taisun (Phommachanh) a chance and I thought Taisun came in and did some good things.” Asked whether Uiagalelei would continue to start: “I think everything’s under evaluation at this point at 4-3. I think everybody’s got to show up and earn it every single day. We’ve just got to take it one day at a time.”
▪Swinney on the offensive game plan: “I thought (offensive coordinator Tony Elliott) had a great plan. He gave them a chance to win the game. You’ve got to find some rhythm. We had a touchdown throw to Beaux Collins and it was a poor throw. He beats him and it’s a little post throw, post go and the ball was put kind of behind him, so we had to kind of stop. DB got in there late and knocked it out, just missed play. We had a couple drops and then obviously, the play to Shipley, he makes a beautiful throw. I mean, that’s a walk-in touchdown and you’re going to be up 14-nothing. Instead, we have to punt and they go in the long drive and score, tie it up, get the ball back, couple minutes and score again on fourth down. It’s just a combination of immaturity, youth, lack of confidence, and all those things affect your rhythm. The kids are trying hard. We’re just not very good right now. I believe in these guys. I believe in our coaches. We’ve got to keep grinding.”
This story was originally published October 23, 2021 at 7:52 PM.
