CLEMSON FOOTBALL

Swinney:

Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"


by - Senior Writer -

CLEMSON - Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney Dabo Swinney
Head Coach
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said that as bad as the Tigers looked on Saturday, you can’t let one game make or break your season.

Clemson was defeated by the Seminoles 51-14, and during his Sunday teleconference Swinney said it is the job of the coaches and the players to flush the loss and look ahead to the rest of the season and next Saturday’s game at Maryland. Clemson opened as a 13-point favorites over the Terps Sunday.

“I’m very disappointed in how we played last night. The film wasn't much better. That's a good football team that we lost to,” Swinney said. “FSU is definitely not a team that you need to help. We gave up 24 points off turnovers and we had nine. We got into their territory nine times and scored twice. The big story was the four turnovers. We had four all year going into the game. You can't just make those mistakes that we made and have a chance to win. We had some opportunities when it was 17-7 and came away with nothing before the half.”

Swinney then said the Tigers have to “flush” this one out of their system and look ahead to next week.

"Defensively, it's the worst we've done from a yards after the catch standpoint. Again, give FSU a ton of credit. They have a heck of a team,” he said. “They outplayed us and out-coached us in every regard. But we come in here and evaluate and get guys here in the morning, go through everything, make corrections, flush and refocus and see if we can get back on track at Maryland.

“Had we won the game, we'd be doing the exact same thing. You cannot let one game make or break your season. You want to have the best year you can possibly have. We felt like we had a great opportunity and didn't think we took advantage of it. There's still a lot out there for this team. That's what we're focused on. We look forward to getting back to work tomorrow.”

Swinney reminded the media that the Tigers are still a top 10 team, and whether or not this is a great season depends on how the team responds to the setback.

"Our guys are certainly down right now. It's Sunday and they played late into the night and came up short. They wanted to play better. I wish I could explain why some things happen that are uncharacteristic of our team. That's competition. We have to learn from it, challenge each other as coaches and challenge the team and leadership. We have to get back to what we believe in. We just have to focus on trying to win this game. You're not going to lay down. That's not how we think.

“We'll get ourselves up and go up there and try to play the best game we've played all year. We will reemphasize our plan to win and have everyone take pride in their performance and everyone take accountability. It's one game. We're a 6-1 team and we're still in the top 10 and it's late October. So we're in the middle of a good season. Whether it's a great season depends on how we respond."

The good news is that the Tigers didn’t suffer any significant injuries in the loss.

"Injury-wise, Tajh looked okay this morning. Same thing with DeShawn WilliamsDeShawn Williams
Jr. Defensive Tackle
#99 6-1, 285
Central, SC

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,” he said. “Hopefully he'll be back by Tuesday. Right now it doesn't look like anyone is out, but we'll reassess that in the next couple of days."

Other notes

Would the coaches consider player MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
Fr. Defensive Back
#2 5-11, 185
Immokalee, FL

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?

"No. He's back at practice. He just got back this past week on Wednesday. He started working some scout team stuff. He's still recovering from surgery. He's doing good. As far as injuries at corner, we just have the one with Garry. We don't see him out all year but he'll be out the next couple of games. The plan is to have him back against Georgia Tech. [Bashaud] Breeland got ejected, so we'll be thin starting out."

Does the loss set the program back?

“It sets us back for this season because you want to win them all. That's always one of your goals. We took it on the chin. We didn’t take advantage of our opportunity. They're one of the best teams out there. We have a heck of a team. I won't let one bad night at the office change that. There are a lot of guys hurting right now and that's a good thing. That means you care. As long as they care, I know we'll bounce back. And that's have the best season we can possibly have. That's one game. There were 50-60 teams that lost yesterday. Nobody likes to lose. You certainly don't want to lose or lose at home. That's the reality we're dealing with. We just didn't do the things we normally do to win games. You can't lose the turnover margin to a team like that. We had some costly penalties and some busts we have to clean up. They played better than we did. It's one game, it's over. Instead of worrying about what could have been, we have to worry about what can be."

Plans at CB at Maryland in first half

"We've got Jerrodd WilliamsJerrodd Williams
RS Sr. Safety
#36 6-0, 205
Central, SC

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. Cordrea TankersleyCordrea Tankersley
Fr. Defensive Back
#25 6-1, 190
Beech Island, SC

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will work at corner. We started him there a little last week. I'm excited about him getting work. We'll get Breeland back after that (in the second half)."

The problems with Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA

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looking out of sorts

"He'd be the first one to tell you that he's not happy with how he played. It wasn't one of his better games. You always want to play your best every time you're out there. He didn't have his best game, but I wouldn't trade him for anybody. He has done some great things for this program. If I know Tajh, he'll bounce back with a great performance this week. But he's human. He made some mistakes that he usually doesn't make."

On the Breeland ejection

“Good call. I didn't think it was flagrant. It looked like he tried to pull up. It wasn't the crown of his helmet, but per the rule, the quarterback is a defenseless guy. You can't be above the shoulder. Per the rule, it was the right call.”

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Post your comments!
Subject (Replies: 59) Author
spacer Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
TigerNet News®
spacer Yes place for 3 rd place in ACC.... Good job***
W3Clem1
spacer Well unlike the coots we won't be giving out
Baltimore Tiger®
spacer I love ya Dabo but it has broke alot of the season goals...
Jujitsalvo
spacer Orange Bowl is still possible.
NortherTiger
spacer Re: Orange Bowl is still possible.
dlc1916
spacer BCS Bowl Game Locks:
Buffalo Creek Tiger
spacer Re: BCS Bowl Game Locks:
W8kbrder
spacer No offense but
MemphisCat
spacer Re: No offense but
hazer
spacer Re: Orange Bowl is still possible.
Mikeyg
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
columbiatiger
spacer Agree. Proud of Clemson. Tough loss. Wore Clemson shirt
Tiger_Fan_007
spacer Coach Cliche Hand Book - But Dabo had to reference something
SocMan2®
spacer I'm betting there is a big difference how Dabo talks
NortherTiger
spacer NO coach in America would make your preferred statement.***
Tiger5
spacer Re: Coach Cliche Hand Book - But Dabo had to reference something
slumdog
spacer How is practice going?
N507114
spacer Thought the game was in TN? Not familiar with coot
Tiger5
spacer Re: How is practice going?
slumdog
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
leftie
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
Dugatiger®
spacer Quitting and scared***
1988NC
spacer What would you expect from bandwagon fans?***
Tiger5
spacer Re: What would you expect from bandwagon fans?***
slumdog
spacer Re: Quitting and scared***
Georgiatiger85®
spacer Quitting and scared?
1988NC
spacer Nobody was scared or quit. We were outmanned plain and
jcope
spacer Re: Nobody was scared or quit. We were outmanned plain and
Dugatiger®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
blackweldm
spacer Coaches didnt have team prepared
1988NC
spacer Bye week was a great advantage for them also.***
Orangetiger70®
spacer Re: Coaches didnt have team prepared
clemtiger117
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
blackweldm
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
slumdog
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
Mikeyg
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
Dugatiger®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
kpttiger®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
Dugatiger®
spacer well, you did , Dabo!
TigerCook®
spacer Amen, coach!***
GrayBengal®
spacer Re: Amen, coach!***
slumdog
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
Udamannclem
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
slumdog
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
Dugatiger®
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"***
Udamannclem
spacer Well, we sure made FSU's season.***
PGTiger
spacer That's a big one to "flush"-- triple flusher***
sh3nry16
spacer Not letting FSU beat us twice- big test for Dabo. Go Tigers!***
Razzmatazz
spacer Amen to that...Go Tigers!******
kodibuddy
spacer Re: Not letting FSU beat us twice- big test for Dabo. Go Tigers!***
Dugatiger®
spacer Dabo pulled a Tommy Bowden: 50 teams lost Saturday, he says***
strodetiger®
spacer I thought the same thing. One of Tommy's favorite excuses.***
Razzmatazz
spacer Re: Dabo pulled a Tommy Bowden: 50 teams lost Saturday, he says***
Dugatiger®
spacer Define "season"
MemphisCat
spacer Re: Define "season"
joetigersc
spacer Re: Define "season"
41rcook
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
oriyah10
spacer Re: Front Page Story: Swinney: "We can't let one game make or break our season"
Mikeyg
spacer As a fan I now only care about beating scar As coaches
CTNucEm