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SOUTH BEND, Ind. — Because the 2015 season, when Clemson made the primary of six straight School Soccer Playoff appearances, coach Dabo Swinney has endured robust losses.
The Tigers have fallen in nationwide title video games, CFP semifinals and 5 instances throughout the common season. However arguably no defeat felt as full and deflating than the 35-14 loss Saturday to unranked Notre Dame.
No. 4 Clemson fell behind 28-0, surrendered 263 speeding yards and allowed touchdowns on protection, offense and particular groups. The Tigers averted their first shutout since 2003 however didn’t rating till 10:14 remained within the sport.
“This was an ass-kicking, interval,” Swinney stated. “That is what it’s. Simply flat-out obtained our tails handed to us. That is unlucky. It hasn’t occurred rather a lot, however it’s occurred just a few instances alongside the way in which. We have handed out a bunch of them, too. Tonight, we had been the bug. We obtained the unhealthy finish of that deal, and we deserved each second of it.”
Clemson suffered its worst loss to an unranked opponent since falling by 24 to NC State in 2011. Though Clemson needed to rally to beat Syracuse and stay undefeated Oct. 22, the workforce had an additional week to arrange for Notre Dame, which had fallen to Marshall and Stanford on its dwelling subject.
“This was a very unhealthy day and all of the criticism was warranted and simply needs to be directed at me, interval,” Swinney stated. “This is without doubt one of the most disappointing days that I’ve had as a head coach.”
Notre Dame struck first after recording its FBS-leading sixth punt block, which Prince Kollie returned for a landing. The Irish then hammered away in opposition to a Clemson protection that got here in ranked No. 7 nationally in opposition to the run, permitting solely 3 yards per carry.
Clemson quarterbacks DJ Uiagalelei and Cade Klubnik each threw interceptions that led to Notre Dame touchdowns, together with an Uiagalelei throw that cornerback Benjamin Morrison returned 96 yards to the tip zone early within the fourth quarter.
“We gave up a rating on offense, a rating on particular groups and a rating on protection, that is the primary time that is occurred since I have been a head coach,” stated Swinney, in his 14th full season as Clemson’s coach. “We simply obtained out-coached in each aspect of the sport. That is on me. It is my duty. And I want I might say I noticed it coming. We had an important week of apply.”
Notre Dame operating backs Logan Diggs and Audric Estime each eclipsed 100 speeding yards in opposition to Clemson, which struggled to cowl gaps and was usually sealed on the perimeter.
“Clearly, we weren’t probably the most bodily workforce, that is 100% on me, getting them ready the suitable method,” defensive coordinator Wes Goodwin stated. “It was a mixture of issues, guys getting knocked out of a niche, [linebackers] falling again within the fallacious hole, missed tackles as nicely. We’ll personal it and transfer on.”
Regardless of being benched within the Syracuse win, Uiagalelei began for Clemson and accomplished his first seven cross makes an attempt, however just for 33 yards in windy situations. He had simply 41 cross yards within the first half and was changed by Klubnik late within the third quarter with Clemson down 14-0. Uiagalelei returned to Notre Dame Stadium, the place he made his first profession begin in 2020 and had 439 passing yards, a file for an opposing participant in opposition to the Irish.
Klubnik, who entered with Clemson at its personal 7-yard line, had his solely cross try intercepted by Morrison. Notre Dame scored three performs later.
“Everytime you come out the sport, you need to be the largest supporter, and provides all of the information you’ll be able to to my brother Cade,” Uiagalelei stated. “He will be nice. Quarterbacks, all of us make errors, however he’ll be an important ballplayer. The largest factor I like about Cade is he is aggressive.”
Swinney stated he was making an attempt to spark the offense with Klubnik, who “was making an attempt to make a play” when he threw throughout his physique and was intercepted.
Uiagalelei completed with 191 cross yards, 113 within the fourth quarter, however was sacked 4 instances within the loss.
“Thought he held the ball a few instances and simply took a pair unhealthy sacks the place the safety was there,” Swinney stated. “You have to do away with the ball. … I assumed DJ responded. He went again in and did some good issues.”
Swinney stated Clemson will consider personnel and different areas after the loss however famous, “It isn’t all on DJ.” Clemson hosts Louisville subsequent week with the prospect to win the ACC Atlantic Division outright.
In 2021, the Tigers noticed their streak of CFP appearances and ACC championships each finish at six.
“There’s not a single purpose that is not there for us,” Swinney stated. “I do know everyone desires to win the nationwide championship, and we do not management that. However what we do management is attempt to win this division, attempt to win the league, the state championship and win the nearer, no matter that’s.
“Whenever you do these issues, you could have a heck of a 12 months.”
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