Dabo Swinney reacts: Clemson coach talks win over NC State, Bryan Bresee update
Clemson improved to 5-0 on the season and 3-0 in the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 30-20 win Saturday over N.C. State. The Tigers travel to face Boston College next Saturday.
Here are some highlights of coach Dabo Swinney’s postgame remarks after the victory over the Wolfpack.
On the win
“It was a great opportunity for our team tonight. They seized the moment. That was a special one for sure. That was Death Valley at its best tonight. ... The credit goes to those players. I loved their effort, their toughness, their heart, their grit.
“This team is getting better. We’re still not perfect. I thought we left a lot out there.
“No turnovers on offense, no sacks. We haven’t lost a game since 2011 when we’ve had no sacks.
“Lots of guys touched the ball. Guys are starting to find their groove as playmakers. DJ (Uiagalelei) was in total command.
“We’re 5-0. That’s what we hoped to be, building momentum ... We’re still in control of the division. That’s where we want to be.
“Back to back really tough weeks. These guys just keep finding a way.
“This was a big, big game. They’re all big, but this was a team that beat us last year. ... They’re basically the same team. They’ve got some dudes. It’s like a coaching staff out there playing. To come back and play the way we did this year, I’m just proud of our players, proud of our staff.”
“No bigger factors in football than turnovers and big plays. If you the win turnover margin and have two more big plays you win about 98% of the time. It’s taking care of the ball and getting it.”
On the defense and DB Toriano Pride
“I thought the defense won the game in the second half. We had two turnovers and had 10 points off turnovers. The difference in the game was 10 points. ... I thought our D-line won the day.”
On Pride, who had a key interception: “He got baptized last week in Winston-Salem and the game was little slower for him tonight. I’m really proud of him. That was a big big play.”
On Nate Wiggins, another cornerback who struggled against Wake: ““He really responded to coaching this week, and that’s what you love to see.”
DJ Uiagalelei and him running the ball
“DJ was awesome. Career-high 73 yards rushing, two touchdowns. ...
“He’s gotten a lot better. That was one of the areas that he improved. ... He’s been our leader. He’s one of the most respected kids we’ve had around here. These guys love him. He’s so confident running the football and he makes everything else go for us. He makes good decisions. He’s putting his heart and soul into everything he’s doing.”
On the status of Bryan Bresee, who missed the game with a health issue
“He’s good. What a week. It was a non-football medical issue that he had. Really scary ... His family did not need to deal with that at this point. It all turned out great. We got really good news (Friday). It was a really tough three or four days for him and his family.”
Note: Multiple media outlets reported that Bresee was dealing with a kidney issue.
Clemson issued a statement earlier on Bresee: “Bryan will miss tonight with a non-football medical issue that required bloodwork and observation this week. The family received good news on tests late this week, though, and not expected to be a long-term issue.”
On Andrew Mukuba getting ejected for targeting
“Probably the right call. I’ll have to go back and see it.”
This story was originally published October 2, 2022 at 1:06 AM.
