3 people most to blame for Clemson’s upset loss to NC State
The Clemson Tigers had their season fall apart with an upset against NC State. After the loss, there was plenty of blame to go around.
Clemson football fans had been living in a dream over the last few years. The 2021 season has been a cold dose of reality.
Just four weeks into the season, they’re 2-2 with more bad performances than good ones.
On Saturday, NC State took advantage of all their weaknesses this week en route to a 27-21 victory in overtime. Who bears responsibility for the loss?
3 people to blame for Clemson’s upset scare vs. NC State
3. D.J. Uiagalelei
There is no way around it. D.J. Uiagalelei has not been good enough in his first month as the starting quarterback for Clemson. Against the Wolfpack, he went 12-of-24 for just 111 yards. He threw a touchdown in regulation, but also an interception. He threw a touchdown in overtime, then failed to generate a score on the final possession. He had a chunk play on the ground but couldn’t keep the offense moving in any meaningful way. Uiagalelei’s receivers have let him down. The offensive line has let him down. Despite that, he’s also left a lot to be desired.
2. Tony Elliott
Whether or not Uiagalelei is the right quarterback, it’s offensive coordinator Tony Elliott’s responsibility to put him and the offense in a position to succeed. He hasn’t done that. It was one thing to struggle against Georgia. They may have the best defense in all of college football. The more recent offensive struggles against Georgia Tech and NC State have proven just how unimaginative and predictable the offense has become.
1. Dabo Swinney
The buck stops with the head coach, always. Swinney has taken Clemson to the highest heights, but the post-Trevor Lawrence era has gotten off to a rough start. It was up to Swinney to recognize the danger before it could do serious damage to the team’s playoff hopes. Now, the Tigers are dead in the water. While they can still strive for the ACC title, the playoff dream is dead, short of a miracle.
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