Clemson’s Dabo Swinney got pissy with media after 26-point win vs. Syracuse

The Clemson head coach wasn’t having any questions that he viewed as negative after the team’s win over Syracuse.

The Clemson Tigers entered a favorable matchup against the Syracuse Orange on Saturday. Although quarterback Trevor Lawrence and company put up 47 points, the Tigers surrendered 21 points to Syracuse. Even though Clemson walked out with the decisive victory, it wasn’t a win college football fans were used to. But don’t tell head coach Dabo Swinney that.

During a postgame press conference, Swinney was asked if the energy was there for the team at the start of the game (which was brought up to the media by Lawrence). Swinney went on a rant about the question, asking if he was at the right presser because Clemson won the game.

Swinney a sore winner

Swinney was obviously irritated that there would be any negative questions, considering his team won by 26-points. However, Clemson has a high standard of excellence, and they looked off against the one-win Orange.

Lawrence looked especially off his game on Saturday, as he managed to throw the first pick-six of his college career. Granted, it did come after his pass tipped off the hands of his intended target, but nonetheless, it wasn’t an ideal day. The perennial top pick in the 2021 NFL Draft managed to throw for 289 yards and two touchdowns on a season-low 62.8 completion percentage.

Despite the abnormal showing from Lawrence, the Tigers managed to put up 455 total offensive yards. Running back Travis Etienne tallied 86 yards and three touchdowns on 16 carries, despite cramping up due to eating Frosted Flakes in the morning. Clemson’s defense forced Syracuse to turn the ball over four times throughout the contest, although they did surrender an 83-yard touchdown pass from Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper to receiver Nykeim Johnson, the team’s longest play allowed since 2013.

Even though this game was a far cry from Clemson’s dominating 73-7 win over Georgia Tech, it wasn’t the most points they allowed to an opponent this season. That distinction belongs to the Virginia Cavaliers, who scored 23 points against Clemson, who managed to win 41-23.

You can expect Swinney to have a chip on his shoulder and have his team motivated next week, as the Tigers host Boston College.

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