Clemson’s CFP hopes crash as Tigers fall to South Carolina

Clemson had its nation-leading 40-game dwelling profitable streak snapped on Saturday, shedding to rival South Carolina 31-30 in a mistake-filled efficiency that successfully eliminates the Tigers from School Soccer Playoff rivalry for a second straight season.

The house profitable streak was an ACC file, and it was the longest since Nebraska gained 47 in a row from 1991 to 1997. Equally as gorgeous is the best way Clemson blew a 23-14 halftime lead.

In response to ESPN Stats & Info analysis, Clemson had been 60-0 at dwelling below Dabo Swinney when main by 9 or extra factors at halftime.

South Carolina, in the meantime, has crushed back-to-back ranked opponents, defeating Tennessee final week and now Clemson, its first win within the rivalry sport since 2013.

Swinney stated South Carolina “flat out earned” the victory.

“Immediately simply wasn’t our day. It was their day,” Swinney stated. “That is soccer. You have to take the nice with the dangerous. It is an extremely disappointing day, however we gained seven in a row. You possibly can’t lose sight of that. We misplaced two dwelling video games since Florida State in 2013. So it is a dangerous day, however we’ll present again up Monday and maintain transferring ahead.”

The No. 8 Tigers went into the sport with an out of doors likelihood at making the playoff, however the reality is, this workforce hardly regarded like a playoff contender all season. As soon as once more, quarterback DJ Uiagalelei struggled, going 8-of-29 for 99 yards and one landing with one interception as South Carolina harassed him all sport lengthy. The one factor Clemson had going for it on offense was working again Will Shipley, who ran for 132 yards and a rating.

However with the sport on the road late, South Carolina managed to pin Clemson deep a number of instances and Uiagalelei did not get a lot occurring offense.

Clemson had another likelihood to get the ball again late, however Antonio Williams fumbled a punt with 2 minutes, 5 seconds left. South Carolina recovered and held on for the win. Clemson managed 86 complete yards within the second half.

The Tigers had three turnovers in all and allowed South Carolina quarterback Spencer Rattler to make a number of massive performs within the passing sport all through. Rattler threw for 360 yards and two touchdowns with two interceptions.

“We have had much more good days than dangerous days. We’re not entitled for it to at all times go our manner,” Swinney stated.

Not like different video games this season through which Uiagalelei struggled, Swinney elected to stay with him and didn’t flip to backup Cade Klubnik.

Clemson offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter stated there was by no means a powerful consideration to change quarterbacks within the sport.

Swinney famous subject place and different errors labored towards Uiagalelei. The Tigers did have three drops within the sport, their second most in a sport this yr.

“Couple dangerous choices, a pair missed throws. That is soccer,” Swinney stated. “If you get in a rhythm, it is actually good, and typically it is powerful sledding when it is not clicking for you.”

When requested whether or not there can be an open quarterback competitors headed into the ACC championship sport, Swinney stated he was not going to get into it.

Swinney should now discover a option to get his workforce targeted on what’s forward: the ACC title sport towards North Carolina on Saturday. That is the primary time since 2012 that each groups enter the championship sport off a loss, taking some luster off this matchup.

Clemson didn’t win the ACC final yr, so the Tigers may have a possibility to win a title. Although he has defended Uiagalelei at each flip, there will likely be reputable questions he should reply about his quarterback scenario transferring ahead.

“We’re 10-2. We’re not 2-10. It is a powerful day and a painful day,” Swinney stated. “Everyone knows how necessary this sport is, but it surely’s completely our duty to assist them push by, choose them up, get some wind again of their sails. It is at all times about what’s subsequent. Lots of people, their season is over with, however for us, we have got a championship sport this week and a possibility to be on prime of the ACC, and that is at all times been a aim for us.”