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Clemson's Dabo Swinney Calls Out Negative Media Questions After Syracuse Win

Oct 24, 2020
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney walks near the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney walks near the sideline during an NCAA college football game against Syracuse in Syracuse, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)

The No. 1 Clemson Tigers struggled to put away the one-win Syracuse Orange on Saturday, leading just 27-21 late in the third quarter before winning 47-21 after scoring 20 straight points.

After the game, head coach Dabo Swinney expressed displeasure with questions he perceived as "negative" following his 6-0 team's victory.

ESPN's Andrea Adelson provided the quotes:

"I just want to make sure I'm at the right press conference here. We did win the game, I think. Am I in the right spot? You don't usually score 47 points if you don't have the right energy. We made some mistakes. It's not energy when you don't make a certain play, or snap the ball over a head. Just didn't execute, but at the end of the day, it's not easy to win.

"There's a lot of teams out there that would have lost this game with some of the mistakes that we made. We won the game by almost four touchdowns. I'm not getting any questions about 'Proud of you guys for winning the game.' It's a lot of negative questions. You're not going to get any negative stuff from me."

Grace Raynor of The Athletic, who covers Clemson, tweeted about Swinney's comments afterward:

One can look at this game from a glass-half-full or -half-empty perspective.

The optimistic side would point to Clemson dominating the first and fourth quarters en route to outscoring Syracuse 30-0 during those 15-minute frames.

The pessimistic side would focus on ugly second and third quarters, which included a pick-six of Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence, five straight drives that ended without points and Syracuse possessing the ball down just 27-21 late in the third quarter with a chance to take the lead.

Clemson did win by 26 points and was never in serious danger of losing, but the Tigers ultimately struggled to put away a one-win team at home.

For whatever reason, Syracuse has proved to be a thorn in Clemson's side. The Orange beat the Tigers 27-23 for Clemson's only regular-season loss in 2017. In 2018, Syracuse nearly picked off Clemson on the road before losing 27-23 during a year where the Tigers won the national championship.

Clemson didn't have issues against the Orange in 2019 (41-6 win), but that wasn't the case in 2020.

The Tigers, like any other great team, are not immune to subpar games.

The difference between Clemson and other teams is that the Tigers have been able to rebound and excel after such performances.

The Tigers ran the table throughout 2018 despite the Syracuse loss and reached the College Football Playoff National Championship in 2020 despite nearly losing to a 7-6 North Carolina team 21-20 in September 2019.

Ultimately, this Clemson team is still undefeated and holds a point differential of plus-199 through six wins. This matchup could simply be a blip on the radar en route to Swinney's third national title.

The 6-0 Clemson Tigers will host Boston College on Oct. 31 at noon ET.

Trevor Lawrence, No. 1 Clemson Overcome Sluggish Stretch to Top Syracuse

Oct 24, 2020
Clemson safety Lannden Zanders (36) pressures Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper (17) during an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)
Clemson safety Lannden Zanders (36) pressures Syracuse quarterback Rex Culpepper (17) during an NCAA college football game in Clemson, S.C., on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020. (Ken Ruinard/Pool Photo via AP)

The top-ranked Clemson Tigers overcame an upset bid to earn a 47-21 victory over the Syracuse Orange on Saturday at Memorial Stadium in South Carolina.

Clemson, led by Heisman Trophy contender Trevor Lawrence, improved to 6-0. The Tigers have completely overwhelmed the competition, outscoring their opponents 289-81 with at least 37 points in every game.

Syracuse dropped to 1-5. Three of its five losses have come against ranked opponents. The Orange's last win over a ranked foe came against the West Virginia Mountaineers in December 2018.

             

Notable Stats

QB Trevor Lawrence (CLEM): 27-of-43 for 289 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT

QB Rex Culpepper (CUSE): 10-of-26 for 175 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT

RB Travis Etienne (CLEM): 16 carries for 86 yards, 3 TD

RB Sean Tucker (CUSE): 10 carries for 63 yards, 1 TD

WR Cornell Powell (CLEM): 2 catches for 45 yards, 1 TD

WR Nykeim Johnson (CUSE): 1 catch for 83 yards, 1 TD

TE Davis Allen (CLEM): 1 catch for 17 yards, 1 TD

DB Andrew Booth Jr. (CLEM): 5 tackles, 1 FR, 1 TD

DB Garrett Williams (CUSE): 8 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD

                

Lawrence Lacks Precision, Takes Hard Hits

Lawrence came into the contest with eye-popping numbers through five games. He'd completed 73 percent of his throws for 1,544 yards with 15 touchdowns and one interception. He also had four rushing scores.

He wasn't nearly as effective Saturday.

The 21-year-old top NFL prospect connected on just eight of his first 18 attempts. While there were a couple of drops in that group, he also was off target on multiple throws. He appeared to find a rhythm in the final drive of the first half leading to a field goal, but it didn't carry over after halftime.

In addition, Lawrence took several hard hits throughout the game. The most notable came when the Tigers ran a trick play that saw him catch a pass from wide receiver Amari Rodgers, which was underthrown and forced him to run back into the middle of the field, where he got crushed.

He never showed any signs of injury, but it was concerning to see him take so many clean hits.

The Tigers pulled away over the game's final 20 minutes after the Orange kept them within striking distance for a majority of the contest, in large part because Clemson couldn't put together long drives.

All told, the final numbers for Lawrence and the Tigers offense weren't terrible, and the contest probably won't have much of an effect on his Heisman chances.

It wasn't his sharpest performance, however, and a more formidable opponent could have pulled off the upset. He'll need to get back on track with a tougher set of games on the horizon.

                

Syracuse Allows Upset Opportunity to Slip Away

The Orange entered Saturday's game as a massive underdog, which makes the result no surprise, but there were several openings to spark an upset bid.

After falling behind 17-0, Syracuse got on the board with a Sean Tucker touchdown run. It then secured a stop via a Clemson missed field goal and started the ensuing drive with a 21-yard dash by Tucker.

There was a feeling in that moment the Orange were about to surge. Instead, the drive quickly fizzled out.

The same thing happened after a pick-six by Garrett Williams late in the second quarter that once again brought the Cuse back within 10. They allowed Clemson to drive 56 yards in just over a minute to kick a field goal as time expired in the first half.

An 83-yard touchdown catch by Nykeim Johnson midway through the third quarter gave the Orange one final chance to capitalize on a lackluster showing from the Tigers.

Syracuse had two opportunities to take the lead after that score, but the first possession ended in a punt and the second was a strip-sack of Culpepper that Andrew Booth Jr. picked up and ran 21 yards to restore Clemson's two-touchdown edge.

The final score is deceiving. The Orange played light years better after falling behind by 17, and the game's result still hung in the balance until early in the fourth quarter.

Syracuse also provided somewhat of a blueprint to keep Lawrence in check. It got pressure with only four or five rushers, which allow the defense to play a lot of coverage, forcing him to throw into tight windows at the intermediate level, and it also took away the deep ball.

Clemson's talent advantage won out in the end, but the Orange will lament the missed opportunity.

            

What's Next?

The Tigers and Orange both return to action on Halloween next Saturday.

Clemson will once again be a massive favorite when it hosts the Boston College Eagles inside Death Valley. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. ET on ABC.

Syracuse returns home to the Carrier Dome for a clash with the Wake Forest Demon Deacons. It's also a noon ET start on the ACC Network.

Jordan Travis, Unranked FSU Upset No. 5 North Carolina in ACC Action

Oct 18, 2020
Florida State takes the field against Miami for an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)
Florida State takes the field against Miami for an NCAA college football game in Tallahassee, Fla., Saturday, Nov. 2, 2019. (AP Photo/Mark Wallheiser)

Florida State quarterback Jordan Travis rushed for 107 yards and two touchdowns and threw for one more score as the unranked Seminoles stunned No. 5 North Carolina 31-28 on Saturday at home in Tallahassee's Doak Campbell Stadium.

FSU entered Saturday with a 1-3 record, with its three victorious opponents outscoring the 'Noles 110-49. The Seminoles' lone win was against Division I-FCS Jacksonville State, and FSU trailed that game 14-0 at one point.

DraftKings Sportsbook listed UNC as a 13-point pregame favorite and a -455 favorite (bet $455 to win $100) on the money line.

FSU led 24-0 in the second quarter and 31-7 at the half but held on for the win after UNC scored three unanswered second-half touchdowns.

The Tar Heels got the ball back on their own 22-yard line with 2:24 left and a chance to tie the game or win. UNC drove all the way to the FSU 41-yard line, but the effort stalled out after a one-yard run and three straight incomplete passes.

North Carolina's offense entered the game on fire after averaging 44.3 points per game in the team's three wins. UNC had just gained 656 yards (399 rushing, 257 passing) in a 56-45 win over Virginia Tech.

The Tar Heels encountered serious issues moving the ball through the air in the first half, perhaps most notably when Joshua Kaindoh had a 25-yard pick-six to put FSU up 23-0:

Meanwhile, Travis and the 'Noles carved the Tar Heels on the ground. La'Damian Webb led that effort with 109 rushing yards on just 12 carries.

FSU had two 75-yard touchdown drives and a 91-yard scoring drive in the first half alone. The 'Noles also scored on just one play (a 23-yard Travis run) to open the scoring after Ja'Khi Douglas blocked a UNC punt to set FSU up just outside the red zone in the first quarter.

The second half was a much different story, as UNC began driving down the field with ease. Sam Howell tossed three touchdown passes to Javonte Williams, Beau Corrales and Dyami Brown. Meanwhile, the FSU offense stalled out, scoring no points in the final 30 minutes.

The Brown score (and ensuing extra point) pulled UNC within 31-28 with 4:58 left.

FSU got nothing going on its next drive, leading to the Seminoles defense's last stand.

Howell completed 20-of-36 passes for 374 yards, three touchdowns and the aforementioned pick-six.

Corrales led UNC with 141 receiving yards and a touchdown:

Williams paced the Tar Heels on the ground with 119 rushing yards and a score.

North Carolina fell to 3-1 with the loss, and FSU improved to 2-3.

Both teams will play on Oct. 24 at noon ET.

FSU will now visit Louisville, who nearly picked off No. 4 Notre Dame on the road Saturday before losing 12-7. UNC will host in-state rival NC State next.

Trevor Lawrence Throws 5 1st-Half TDs as No. 1 Clemson Routs Georgia Tech

Oct 17, 2020
FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against LSU during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, in New Orleans. Lawrence is on a streak of 314 pass attempts without an interception, a run dating back to last Oct. 19 when he was picked off twice at Louisville in Clemson's 45-10 victory. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against LSU during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, in New Orleans. Lawrence is on a streak of 314 pass attempts without an interception, a run dating back to last Oct. 19 when he was picked off twice at Louisville in Clemson's 45-10 victory. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

The No. 1 Clemson Tigers went on the road and throttled the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 73-7 Saturday at Bobby Dodd Stadium in Atlanta.

Clemson junior quarterback Trevor Lawrence further proved why he is a leading Heisman Trophy candidate and the favorite to go No. 1 overall in the 2021 NFL draft, as he threw for five touchdowns in the convincing victory.

Clemson dominated in essentially every facet, as it had more first downs (29-7) and more total yards (671-204) and forced three turnovers.

The Tigers improved to 5-0 overall and 4-0 in ACC play, while the Yellow Jackets fell to 2-3 overall and 2-2 in the conference.

               

Notable Stats

Trevor Lawrence, QB, CLEM: 24/32 for 404 YDS, 5 TD, 1 INT

Travis Etienne, RB, CLEM: 11 CAR for 44 YDS, 1 TD; 2 REC for 29 YDS

Amari Rodgers, WR, CLEM: 6 REC for 161 YDS, 2 TD

Jeff Sims, QB, GT: 6/13 for 81 YDS, 1 TD, 1 INT

Jahmyr Gibbs, RB, GT: 15 CAR for 64 YDS; 3 REC for 23 YDS

Jalen Camp, WR, GT: 1 REC for 59 YDS, 1 TD

               

Lawrence Bolsters Heisman Case in Dominant Showing

Saturday's contest was viewed as a potential stat-padding game for Lawrence, and there is no question that he did his numbers and his Heisman Trophy candidacy a great service.

In the first half alone, Lawrence went 20-of-25 for 391 yards and five touchdowns, which helped give Clemson a 52-7 lead at the break.

Lawrence opened with a five-yard touchdown pass to Cornell Powell in the first quarter, but the Yellow Jackets answered with a touchdown of their own. From then on, though, it was all Lawrence and the Tigers.

Speedy wide receiver Amari Rodgers got behind the Georgia Tech secondary, and Lawrence made them pay with a perfect throw for an 83-yard touchdown:

After a field-goal drive, Lawrence made his only real mistake of the game when he threw an interception with pressure in his face. It was not only Lawrence's first pick of the season, but his first interception thrown in more than one calendar year. 

The miscue seemed to motivate Lawrence, however, as he was essentially perfect for the remainder of the first half.

Clemson scored an impressive five touchdowns in the second quarter alone, three of which were touchdown passes by Lawrence to tight end Davis Allen, wide receiver Frank Ladson Jr. and Rodgers:

Lawrence had never thrown as many as four touchdown passes in the first half of a game during his collegiate career, but he made it five Saturday.

Albert Breer of The MMQB was one of the many who were taken aback by Lawrence's uncanny ability to pick apart yet another Power 5 team with relative ease:

With Clemson dominating the game, Lawrence didn't play all the way through, which has become a common theme for him over the past few years.

Even though he was taken out of the contest in the third quarter, Lawrence put up monster numbers and cemented his status as the premier quarterback in college football.

                

Sims Shows Flashes in Blowout Loss for GT

Georgia Tech freshman quarterback Jeff Sims' numbers paled in comparison to what Lawrence was able to do Saturday, but there is reason for optimism moving forward.

A game against the formidable Clemson defense is a tough assignment for any quarterback, let alone a freshman. It was by far the biggest test of Sims' young career thus far, and he likely learned a lot.

The highlight of the day for Sims and the Yellow Jackets unquestionably came in the first quarter when he hit wide receiver Jalen Camp for a 59-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7:

Sims and the Georgia Tech offense didn't accomplish much beyond that, but the ability to make that type of play against arguably the best defense in college football is something that should serve Sims and the Jackets well moving forward.

SportsTalkATL.com offered some praise for Sims, as he has shown flashes at a position that hasn't been productive for Georgia Tech from a passing perspective in many years:

Devin Jackson of WTAJ News liked some of what he saw out of Sims as well and projected him favorably into the future:

Sims' numbers prior to Saturday left something to be desired, as he had thrown for five touchdowns and eight interceptions, but he also rushed for 251 yards and three touchdowns. Clemson's dominant defensive line took Sims' legs completely out of the equation, but they will be a big factor for him moving forward.

It is clear that Sims and the Yellow Jackets have some growing pains ahead of them, but getting the opportunity to play against the best team in college football is something that should better prepare them for the challenges they will face the rest of the way.

                

What's Next?

Clemson will be a huge favorite again next week and a likely candidate to move to 6-0 when it hosts the Syracuse Orange.

Georgia Tech has a tricky game on tap next week, as it will attempt to get back on track on the road against the Boston College Eagles.

Video: Clemson's Trevor Lawrence Throws for 391 Yards, 5 TDs in 1st Half vs. GT

Oct 17, 2020
Clemson's Trevor Lawrence throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)
Clemson's Trevor Lawrence throws a pass during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Florida State Saturday, Oct. 12, 2019, in Clemson, S.C. (AP Photo/Richard Shiro)

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence turned in another dominant showing Saturday, and he needed only one half of football to do it.

The junior signal-caller went 20-of-25 for 391 yards with five touchdowns and one interception in the opening half against Georgia Tech:

Lawrence had never thrown as many as four touchdown passes in a half, but his five scores helped give Clemson a 52-7 lead at halftime.

The interception was Lawrence's first of the season and first in over one calendar year, but it didn't deter him from going off, as he threw three second-quarter touchdowns after his only miscue.

Of his five touchdown tosses, two were to wide receiver Amari Rodgers, one was to wideout Cornell Powell, another was to tight end Davis Allen and the last was to receiver Frank Ladson Jr.

Lawrence played one series in the third quarter before getting pulled and finished the game 24-of-32 passing for 404 yards with five touchdowns and one pick.

In four games this season entering Saturday's contest, Lawrence had completed 72.4 percent of his passes for 1,140 yards, 10 touchdowns and no interceptions.

Now, Lawrence has over 1,500 passing yards and 15 touchdowns in just five games, and there is no question that he is in the thick of the Heisman Trophy race.

Clemson's overall dominance and ability to blow teams out is helpful to Lawrence's Heisman case in some ways, but it can also be detrimental since he isn't often asked to play a full game against lower-level opponents.

If Lawrence continues to play like he did Saturday, though, it will be difficult for voters to ignore what he accomplishes while he is on the field.

Former FSU Coach Bobby Bowden Released from Hospital After COVID-19 Diagnosis

Oct 15, 2020
FILE - This is a Jan. 10, 2018, file photo showing former Florida State NCAA college football head coach Bobby Bowden at a Rotary Club luncheon in Omaha, Neb. Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has tested positive for COVID-19 and was home monitoring his symptoms. Family friend and Bowden's former publicist Kim Shiff says the 90-year-old Bowden had been hospitalized in Tallahassee, Florida, for about two weeks. He returned home late last week and was informed he had tested positive. Bowden told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, he had not exhibited symptoms of the virus. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
FILE - This is a Jan. 10, 2018, file photo showing former Florida State NCAA college football head coach Bobby Bowden at a Rotary Club luncheon in Omaha, Neb. Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has tested positive for COVID-19 and was home monitoring his symptoms. Family friend and Bowden's former publicist Kim Shiff says the 90-year-old Bowden had been hospitalized in Tallahassee, Florida, for about two weeks. He returned home late last week and was informed he had tested positive. Bowden told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, he had not exhibited symptoms of the virus. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

Former Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden has been released from the hospital after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week. 

Per Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat, Bowden "was released from Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare Thursday and will continue his recovery from COVID-19 at his Killearn Estates home."

Ann Bowden, Bobby's wife, told Henry the family is "all happy" to have him at home: "I just want to see him get back to his normal self. We are grateful to have him home. Bobby is thankful for all the thoughts and prayers. Now we just need to get him stronger." 

Bowden, 90, told Henry he was diagnosed with COVID-19 on Oct. 4 and had to be readmitted to the hospital two days later. He had recently been discharged after receiving treatment for a leg infection.

Ann told Henry at the time that her husband was taken to the hospital as a precautionary measure because of fatigue. 

"I feel sure he's going to be OK," she said. "I am very positive. I am not an alarmist. He hasn't been getting around much at all due to his leg; it has been pretty painful. He sleeps much of the day."

Bowden spent 34 seasons as Florida State football coach from 1976 to 2009. He went 304-97-4 and led the Seminoles to 12 ACC championships and two national titles in 1993 and 1999. 

Prior to his tenure at Florida State, Bowden also served as head coach at Howard College (later renamed Samford University) from 1959 to 1962 and West Virginia from 1970 to 1975. 

In 2006, Bowden was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame. 

Legendary FSU HC Bobby Bowden Says He's 'Doing Good' After COVID-19 Diagnosis

Oct 12, 2020
FILE - This is a Jan. 10, 2018, file photo showing former Florida State NCAA college football head coach Bobby Bowden at a Rotary Club luncheon in Omaha, Neb. Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has tested positive for COVID-19 and was home monitoring his symptoms. Family friend and Bowden's former publicist Kim Shiff says the 90-year-old Bowden had been hospitalized in Tallahassee, Florida, for about two weeks. He returned home late last week and was informed he had tested positive. Bowden told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, he had not exhibited symptoms of the virus. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)
FILE - This is a Jan. 10, 2018, file photo showing former Florida State NCAA college football head coach Bobby Bowden at a Rotary Club luncheon in Omaha, Neb. Former Florida State coach Bobby Bowden has tested positive for COVID-19 and was home monitoring his symptoms. Family friend and Bowden's former publicist Kim Shiff says the 90-year-old Bowden had been hospitalized in Tallahassee, Florida, for about two weeks. He returned home late last week and was informed he had tested positive. Bowden told the Tallahassee Democrat on Monday, Oct. 5, 2020, he had not exhibited symptoms of the virus. (AP Photo/Nati Harnik, File)

Former Florida State football head coach Bobby Bowden said he was feeling better Monday after being diagnosed with COVID-19 last week.

"I am sure [god] answered a prayer," he told Jim Henry of the Tallahassee Democrat. "I do feel better. I am doing good. I appreciate everyone's thoughts, I really do." 

Bowden said he "didn't feel too hot" when he was admitted to the hospital Tuesday, three days after testing positive for the coronavirus.  

"You get fever, you get frustrated, you don't feel good and you wonder if you were able to get up," he said. "But now that's behind me. I took another (COVID-19) test... I can't go home until that's cleared."

The 91-year-old Bowden had previously been hospitalized for nearly two weeks with a leg infection.

"We are hoping by the end of the week they tell him he can come home," his wife, Ann Bowden, told Henry.

Bowden coached in the college football ranks with West Virginia (1970-75) and most famously with Florida State (1976-09), compiling a 346-123-4 record. Only Joe Paterno (409 wins) posted more career victories among Division I coaches.

He led the Seminoles to 31 bowl games and two national championships. 

Florida State has had its ups-and-downs since Bowden stepped down a decade ago. The team won a national championship under Jimbo Fisher in the 2014 season but since 2017 holds just a 19-23 record, including a 1-3 start to this season. 

Once a perennial national power, Florida State has hit lean times. But Bowden said he was happy with the team's performance this weekend in a 42-26 loss vs. No. 5 Notre Dame.

"I was pleasantly surprised because they fought good and fought hard," Bowden said. "I was very excited. They just have to keep (recruiting) and working." 

Trevor Lawrence, No. 1 Clemson Rout No. 7 Miami; Travis Etienne Scores 2 TDs

Oct 10, 2020
FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against LSU during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, in New Orleans. Lawrence is on a streak of 314 pass attempts without an interception, a run dating back to last Oct. 19 when he was picked off twice at Louisville in Clemson's 45-10 victory. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)
FILE - In this Jan. 13, 2020, file photo, Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence passes against LSU during the second half of a NCAA College Football Playoff national championship game, in New Orleans. Lawrence is on a streak of 314 pass attempts without an interception, a run dating back to last Oct. 19 when he was picked off twice at Louisville in Clemson's 45-10 victory. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert, File)

No. 1 Clemson took down No. 7 Miami 42-17 at home in Memorial Stadium on Saturday behind 222 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns from Travis Etienne, who rushed for 149 yards on 17 carries and caught eight Trevor Lawrence passes for 73 more yards.

Clemson led 21-3 late in the first half off a pair of Lawrence touchdown passes to Braden Galloway and a two-yard Etienne touchdown run to cap a 99-yard scoring drive.

However, the Hurricanes gained a new lease on life after Jared Harrison-Hunte blocked Clemson's first half-ending 61-yard field-goal attempt. DJ Ivey picked up the loose ball and scored a touchdown as the half expired.

Clemson regrouped and dominated in the third quarter, though, as Etienne scored on a 72-yard scamper before Lawrence punched one in from three yards out to help give the Tigers a 35-10 lead. The two teams traded touchdowns before the game ended.

Clemson improved to 4-0 on the season. Miami fell to 3-1.

The Tigers will have gone three calendar years since losing a regular-season game when the calendar turns to Tuesday. Clemson fell to Syracuse on Oct. 13, 2017, and has only lost two postseason matchups since, going 39-2 overall.

            

Notable Performances

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence: 29-of-41, 292 yards, 3 TD; 8 rushes, 34 yards, 1 TD

Clemson RB Travis Etienne: 17 carries, 149 yards, 2 TD; 8 catches, 73 yards

Clemson TE Braden Galloway: 4 catches, 74 yards, 2 TD

Miami QB D'Eriq King: 12-of-28, 121 yards, 0 TD, 2 INT; 14 rushes, 84 yards, 1 TD

    

Clemson Makes Quick Work of Miami

Clemson out-gained Miami 550-210, with Etienne out-pacing the Hurricanes by himself with 12 extra yards.

The Tigers possessed the ball for 38:23 compared to Miami's 21:37 time of possession, and they gained 34 first downs to Miami's nine.

Miami committed nearly twice as many penalties (15 to eight) and committed two more turnovers (three to one).

The Hurricanes also didn't score an offensive touchdown until there was just 8:31 left in the game.

The stats don't tell the whole story, however. Clemson scored at will and played dominant defense, but the team seemingly did whatever it wanted with relative ease and perfect execution.

Galloway could have walked into the end zone with this cavalcade of blockers in front of him:

Meanwhile, the defense, led by Baylon Spector, came to play:

Credit to Miami for fighting all night in the face of adversity, but Clemson somehow found a way to come out on the right end of impossible situations, like when the Hurricanes clogged up the gaps on a goal-line stand only for Etienne to pivot and charge around the mass of players for a score:

Any chance Miami had in the second half to make it a game got squandered when Sheridan Jones picked an opportune time for his first-ever interception:

That gave Etienne the opportunity to do more damage, and he responded with a 72-yard scamper around the edge and down the sideline thanks in part to great blocking up front:

That pretty much put the game to bed.

The score may not reflect it, but Miami is a very good, resilient and tough team. The 'Canes outscored UAB, Florida State and Louisville 130-58 over their first three games. Granted, those teams are not off to good starts, but Miami left no doubt about its dominance on the field.

The problem is this Clemson team might be the best in the Dabo Swinney era, featuring peak performances from future NFL stars like Lawrence, Etienne and others. We might be seeing nights like this from now through the end of the College Football Playoff at this rate, especially given the defense's epic performance.

Clemson's biggest test before a presumed postseason berth will be at No. 5 Notre Dame on Nov. 7. Until then, the Tigers will continue their ACC schedule in hopes of completing their second undefeated season in three years and third championship campaign in five.

           

What's Next?

Clemson will visit Georgia Tech on Oct. 17 at noon ET in Atlanta's Bobby Dodd Stadium. Miami will host Pittsburgh in Hard Rock Stadium on the same day and time.

Sam Howell Throws 3 TDs, Leads No. 8 UNC to 56-45 Win over No. 19 Virginia Tech

Oct 10, 2020
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) hands off to running back Michael Carter (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)
North Carolina quarterback Sam Howell (7) hands off to running back Michael Carter (8) during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Chapel Hill, N.C., Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

After hanging on to win last week against Boston College, the eighth-ranked North Carolina Tar Heels earned their biggest victory of the season with a 56-45 triumph over No. 19 Virginia Tech. 

The Hokies were without 15 players, including freshman safety Keonta Jenkins. This was their first major test of the season, playing a Top 10 opponent on the road.

The Tar Heels came out of the gate Saturday at Kenan Memorial Stadium looking much more comfortable on both sides of the ball than they did against Boston College. They were up 21-0 after their first three drives, in which the offense racked up 224 total yards. 

By the time the game was over, North Carolina finished with 656 total yards and its highest point total against an FBS opponent since dropping 66 on Duke in November 2015. 

             

Notable Game Stats

  • Sam Howell, QB (UNC): 18-of-23, 257 yards, 3 TDs
  • Michael Carter, RB (UNC): 17 carries, 214 yards, 2 TDs
  • Javonte Williams, RB (UNC): 20 carries, 169 yards, 2 TDs
  • Dyami Brown, WR (UNC): 3 receptions, 86 yards, 2 TDs
  • Hendon Hooker, QB (VA TECH): 7-of-13, 136 yards, 2 TDs; 8 carries, 29 yards, 1 TD
  • Braxton Burmeister, QB (VA TECH): 7-of-15, 79 yards; 11 carries, 51 yards
  • Khalil Herbert, RB (VA TECH): 18 carries, 138 yards, 2 TDs
  • James Mitchell, WR (VA TECH): 4 receptions, 103 yards, TD

                    

Explosive Offense Makes Tar Heels Playoff Sleeper

If this version of North Carolina's offense is going to show up each week, this team is set up to run the table in ACC play and compete for a spot in the College Football Playoff. 

The dynamic between Howell and offensive coordinator Phil Longo took a few games to settle in, but Saturday was a statement by both men. 

It didn't hurt that Michael Carter and Javonte Williams both had more than 100 yards rushing midway through the third quarter. 

Still, North Carolina has exploitable flaws, as Virginia Tech showed.

Both teams seemed to be competing to see whose run defense was worse. The Hokies won the battle for futility by allowing 399 yards on the ground, but North Carolina wasn't much better in giving up 260 rushing yards. 

The Tar Heels pass defense has been picked apart in the past two games. Boston College quarterback Phil Jurkovec threw for 313 yards and two touchdowns last week.

Once Hendon Hooker took over as Virginia Tech's quarterback in the second half, the offense scored 23 points in the third quarter alone. He threw for 106 yards on just nine attempts in the frame. 

UNC head coach Mack Brown and co-defensive coordinators Jay Bateman and Tommy Thigpen have to figure out a way to tighten things up on that side of the ball. 

Fortunately for the Tar Heels, the schedule lightens for the next five weeks. They don't have to play Clemson during the regular season and don't play a ranked opponent until Notre Dame on Nov. 27. 

The Fighting Irish and Miami Hurricanes (Dec. 5) will likely be the biggest hurdles to clear in ACC play. 

If the offense continues to perform at this level, the defense won't have to be great for North Carolina to finish the regular season undefeated. If that happens, the program could win the ACC championship and sneak into the playoffs.

          

Hendon Hooker Deserves to Be Hokies QB

Virginia Tech head coach Justin Fuente has been reluctant to commit to one quarterback this season. Hooker was slated to start Sept. 19 against Virginia, but the game was postponed because of a COVID-19 spike on Virginia Tech's campus that week. 

Burmeister wound up starting the Hokies' first two games against North Carolina State and Duke. Even though the team won, his results were subpar, with 16 completions on 36 attempts, one touchdown and one interception. 

Fuente turned to Burmeister for the start against North Carolina, and things didn't get any better. The junior went 7-of-15 for 79 yards in the first half, and the Hokies trailed 35-14 at intermission. 

Hooker, who made his season debut Saturday, didn't look sharp immediately.

He played one series in the first half that resulted in a three-and-out, but Fuente gave him the keys to the offense in the second half. Things dramatically improved for the Hokies offense, as they dropped 23 points in the quarter, which closed the deficit to 42-37. 

This is a continuation of what Hooker did last season when he took over as Virginia Tech's primary quarterback in the team's fifth game against Miami. The then-sophomore quarterback threw for 1,555 yards, 13 touchdowns and two interceptions on just 162 attempts and had five rushing touchdowns in 2019. 

Hooker has proved to be the best quarterback on Virginia Tech's roster. He provided a spark against a good North Carolina team Saturday when nothing seemed to be working. 

Fuente may have felt the need to ease Hooker back into things after he missed time, but there's no question about who should be the starter.

          

What's Next?

The Hokies will return to Blacksburg to host Boston College at Lane Stadium on Oct. 17 at 8 p.m. ET. North Carolina will travel to Tallahassee for a matchup with Florida State on Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. ET. 

Clemson's Dabo Swinney Says He Didn't Understand Canceling Election Day Practice

Oct 8, 2020
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney speaks during a news conference after the team's 29-23 win over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Clemson coach Dabo Swinney speaks during a news conference after the team's 29-23 win over Ohio State in the Fiesta Bowl NCAA college football playoff semifinal Saturday, Dec. 28, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)

Clemson football head coach Dabo Swinney said Wednesday that he did not understand the NCAA's decision to allow student-athletes to be exempt from "countable athletically related activities" on Election Day.

"I didn't really understand the day off thing. Most all of our guys are going to have already been voted," Swinney said, per Matt Connolly of The State.

"There's going to be a few who will go vote here. Certainly, always have time to go get that done, but that's what they passed, so that's going to definitely change things for everybody."

Per Corbin McGuire of NCAA.com, the Division I Student-Athlete Advisory Committee proposed that the NCAA allow one day per year for student-athlete participation in civic engagement, which includes voting, community service and other related activities.

The NCAA Division I Council approved the committee's legislation, with chairperson and University of Pennsylvania athletic director M. Grace Calhoun providing this statement on Sept. 16:

"The Council unanimously supports this important piece of legislation. Coming from Division I SAAC, we know it represents the voice of student-athletes across the country who continue to express a desire to increase their civic engagement at local, state and federal levels. We look forward to seeing student-athletes use this opportunity as a way to create positive change."

The 3-0 Tigers, who are No. 1 in the nation, are scheduled to play at No. 5 Notre Dame on Saturday, Nov. 7, four days after the student-athletes' day off.

Swinney discussed how the NCAA's decision will affect his team's schedule and preparation that week:

"Our normal off day is Sunday. So people will have to come in on Sunday. It'll just cut down on our prep time. Typically we're off on Sunday and that's a heavy prep day, Sunday, Monday for us."

"We get our guys at 4 o'clock on Monday, and we always feel like we've gotten a lot of work done. So you're gonna miss Tuesday. So you've gotta get that stuff done on Sunday, and it's a quick turnaround for you. Play Saturday, quick turnaround. But it's the same for every team out there so it just is what it is."

For now, Clemson is preparing to play No. 7 Miami at home in Memorial Stadium on Saturday. ABC will televise the 7:30 pm. ET game. 

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