Clemson’s 2024 football season has ended. The Tigers (10-4) were eliminated from the College Football Playoff after losing 38-24 to Texas in the first round on Saturday. Here are the highlights from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney’s postgame press conference following the road loss: ▪ “We put ourselves in too big of a hole, allowing 28 points in the first half,” Swinney said. We were in a position to win the game.” Swinney stated: “It’s sad when it ends, regardless of how it ends… especially when you truly love the people you’re with.” I genuinely adore these guys. There was truly.
▪ “We put ourselves in too big of a hole, allowing 28 points in the first half,” Swinney said. We were in a position to win the game.” Swinney stated: “It’s sad when it ends, regardless of how it ends… especially when you truly love the people you’re with.” I genuinely adore these guys. There wasn’t a single day that I didn’t want to work with these men… It’s a special bunch. ▪ Swinney stated that his “heart hurts” for the senior class that helped the Tigers return to the CFP. “Until they were taking that final knee, I didn’t think there was a moment we weren’t winning the game. …”We will build on this. It’s a fantastic experience for our team. They
They know they’re good enough. The majority of our team members will return in 2025. Swinney said he isn’t worried about making staff changes to help repair the defense for 2025. “We had an excellent season.” Said the club must improve in all areas, not just defense, to return to the “top.” ▪ What went wrong on defense, resulting in 28 points in the first half? “Taking advantage of blocks, missed (run game) fits, and missed tackles… They’re incredibly good, and they may charge you for these things. That is actually it.” Said it wasn’t significant busts and players were just missing the fundamentals. ▪ Swinney: “We had every opportunity to win.”
Swinney remarked in the postgame locker room following Texas’ loss today, “I wish everybody could experience what I just experienced in there, in terms of our guys’ leadership.” Swinney said junior quarterback Cade Klubnik was among those who spoke up in the locker room following the loss. “He said it’s the most fun he’s ever had playing football … he’s a great young man and has grown into an amazing leader.” ▪ “Getting knocked down is not a sin.” It is a sin to stay low. Said it was “awesome” to witness the Tigers refuse to give up after falling behind 21 points against Texas and rallying to within a single possession in the fourth quarter. ▪ Swinney praised the program’s long-term effectiveness. Potential: “I assure you that the example (the seniors) established for young players coming back will not be wasted. I’ve already noticed that in the locker room.”
Leave a Reply