How Clemson’s DJ Uiagalelei is motivated to make November a month to remember
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney said quarterback D.J. Uiagalelei has played better because he’s on the backside of the storm he’s been going through all year.
Tigers offensive coordinator Tony Elliott has noticed a new confidence about the sophomore, which includes being vocal and finding his identity.
For Uiagalelei, however, it’s much simpler.
“I’m tired of losing,” he said. “I don’t like losing.”
Uiagalelei played for much of Saturday night’s game against Louisville with a sprained PCL, which he referred to as a “boo-boo,” and said he wore a brace on his injured knee “just for fun.”
Still, he battled and willed his team to a win, scoring in the final five minutes to give the Tigers a lead it wouldn’t relinquish. In postgame interviews, a more lighthearted, personable Uiagalelei was on full display after putting on one of his best performances of the season. The Southern California native shared the wealth with his former high school teammate, Beaux Collins, who recorded his first collegiate 100-yard receiving game, ending the contest with 104 yards and a score on six catches and nine targets.
In a season where expectations weren’t met right away, Swinney said he’s proud of how Uiagalelei has handled it all, which includes everything from a lack of on-the-field success to learning how to handle outside noise.
“It’s a tough position, especially to play at Clemson,” Swinney said of the quarterback spot. “Just love his mental toughness. Love his work ethic. He made some big-time plays tonight. That’s what we expect from him. He’s just going to keep getting better and I’m just really proud of him because he could’ve kept going south, and he’s trending in the right direction. Hopefully, there will be more to come.”
Uiagalelei completed 60% of his passes with two touchdown passes and no interceptions for a season-high 220 yards with a 143.6 efficiency rating to go along with 12 yards on the ground and a score. His last 200-yard passing game came against Boston College on Oct. 2, another game with a thrilling ending that Clemson won.
Not only is Uiagalelei making throws, but receivers around him are making catches as well.
“I think what’s happening now is, guys are finding a way to win and not playing not to lose,” Elliott said. “That’s the confidence we’ve had around here for a very, very long time. This group had to create their own identity and man, it’s been a crazy year, but these young men just continue to battle. The bonds are growing stronger and stronger.”
The goal for Clemson is to make November a month to remember by making it the best part of the season. Uiagalelei appears to have turned a corner as he and the Tigers return home for the next two weeks before closing out the regular season against South Carolina.
“This is definitely a way to start it off,” Uiagalelei said. “You remember these moments for the rest of your life. I know I will. We’re hitting our stride. We’re almost there.”
Added Elliott: “I thought he did some really good things, and then right there when we had to have it, he didn’t flinch even though he was limping into the end zone. He pulled it down and put the ball in the end zone on a quarterback run, so really, really proud of him and how he’s battled through everything that’s been placed upon him.”
This story was originally published November 7, 2021 at 5:09 AM.
