What Dabo Swinney said about Clemson football win over Furman, quarterbacks, defense
Clemson football is 2-0, but getting there wasn’t pretty.
Here’s what coach Dabo Swinney had to say after the No. 5 Tigers’ 35-12 win over in-state FCS program Furman in their Saturday home opener. It marked Clemson’s lowest margin of victory against an FCS opponent since 2011.
Swinney said Clemson’s compressed week “wasn’t easy.” The Tigers beat Georgia Tech on Monday and played Furman five days later. “There’s a reason you don’t see people play Monday then Saturday.”
Swinney credited Furman coach Clay Hendrix and his offensive staff for executing their offensive game plan well and described quarterback Tyler Huff as “tough and gritty.”
Swinney said Clemson didn’t play complementary football. He was “really pleased” the offense for scoring on five of its first six possessions but lamented the defense allowing Furman to convert 10 of 18 third downs. “Just very inefficient defensively.”
Swinney said Furman presented “a lot of unknowns” and Clemson couldn’t glean much from the tape off its opening week win against North Greenville. He said early miscommunication led to consecutive man coverage busts (Furman gains of 27 and 28 yards) and put the defense in an early “funk.” He praised the red zone and goal line defense for holding strong after such slip-ups.
Swinney said Ella Bresee, Bryan Bresee’s younger sister who’s battling cancer, couldn’t make it to Saturday’s game after a medical setback. Clemson had previously planned to honor her and wore Ella Strong T-shirts Saturday. Swinney said Bryan Bresee, who played against Furman, will go back home to be with his family and Ella.
Swinney said Andrew Mukuba wasn’t injured after the safety was slow to get up right before halftime. He played in the second half and will be fine going forward. “Just a stinger.”
Swinney said starting defensive tackle Tyler Davis didn’t play Saturday because he was “just a little banged up” after the Georgia Tech game. Clemson didn’t want to risk anything and held him out. Davis should be back “soon,” Swinney said.
Swinney said he hopes freshman wide receiver Adam Randall can play next week against Louisiana Tech but will defer to the team’s medical staff. Randall is recovering from a torn ACL in the spring. Swinney said he could’ve played against Georgia Tech or Furman in a pinch. “He’ll play when they say he’s ready. He’s looking good out there.”
Swinney said he was “really proud” of starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei. “Ain’t nobody been more under the fire than him.” He said Uiagalelei’s Saturday performance looked like what he’s been doing in practice and said the team has played better around him.
Swinney lamented not being able to play more players against Furman, including freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik, who only got two series. He said that was a result of Furman leading in time of possession 34:45 to 25:15 and converting its third downs in the second half.
Swinney said he’s been impressed with Clemson’s starting offensive line through two games. The group has only allowed one true sack, he said, and attributed others to quarterback errors or staff miscommunications.
Swinney said he’ll never complain about a win, adding with a smile: “Some good teams got beat today.” He was aware of App State’s road win over No. 6 Texas A&M on Saturday and later complimented Chase Brice, the former Clemson quarterback now starting for the Mountaineers. “He’s Clemson family.”
Swinney said he was impressed that first-year director of athletics Graham Neff reached out to Swinney’s agents in December about a 10-year, $115 million contract extension announced Thursday. “Here I am getting ready for the Cheez-It Bowl.” He said he doesn’t take anything about his career for granted. “I appreciate every ounce of every moment.”
Swinney on what needs to change before next week’s Louisiana Tech game on defense: “We’ve got to adjust to tempo, work on (defending) the screen game, get off the field on third down. Too many easy completions, we’ve got to tighten the coverage.” On offense: “We can’t turn the ball over … and let’s make a couple more of the plays that are there for us to make.”
This story was originally published September 10, 2022 at 9:18 PM.
