It was a week of intense emotions, controversy, and redemption for Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney and his Tigers. The spark that lit the fire came from an unexpected source, a caller named "Tyler of Spartanburg" on Swinney's weekly radio show. This fiery exchange, though initially unsettling, ended up igniting a resurgence for Clemson in what had been a challenging season.
Tyler, whose last name remains a mystery, called into the show and unleashed his frustration on Swinney and the Tigers. He demanded an explanation for the team's four losses and their untimely exit from championship contention. Swinney, known for his passionate defense of his program, delivered a heated response.
"Buy all you freaking can if Clemson's a stock," Swinney declared, rallying his team and Clemson faithful. Little did anyone know that these words would serve as a catalyst for an extraordinary performance on the field.
On Saturday, Clemson faced off against the No. 12 Notre Dame Fighting Irish, determined to silence their critics. Tailback Phil Mafah, stepping in for the injured starter Will Shipley, had a career day, rushing for an impressive 186 yards and two touchdowns. His extraordinary effort propelled the underachieving Tigers to a resounding 31-23 victory, marking their most significant win of the season.
Mafah, speaking about the team's performance, explained, "We all had a chip on our shoulder. I personally take it personal, and I know a lot of guys do too, so we had to bring our all today."
Clemson entered the game with more losses in a season than they had seen in 13 years. The frustrations stemming from their underperformance, combined with the harsh words from the radio caller, motivated the Tigers to overcome the odds.
Mafah's touchdowns, particularly a 41-yard run and a one-yard plunge, helped Clemson build a lead of 31-16 in the third quarter. Notre Dame made a valiant effort to close the gap, with Sam Hartman's 26-yard scramble touchdown, but the Clemson special teams and defense stepped up to seal the win. Their strategic punts consistently pinned Notre Dame deep in their territory, preventing them from mounting a comeback.
The Irish had one last chance late in the game when Mafah fumbled, giving them possession on Clemson's 22-yard line. However, Notre Dame's hopes were dashed as Hartman failed to complete four consecutive passes, handing the ball back to the Tigers, who successfully ran out the clock.
The victory marked a significant milestone for Dabo Swinney, who surpassed the late Frank Howard as Clemson's all-time wins leader with 166. Swinney's journey to this record included missing his first two opportunities, but he finally achieved the milestone with an unforgettable win against Notre Dame.
Clemson's quarterback, Cade Klubnik, contributed to the team's success with a touchdown pass to Tyler Brown, while linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. intercepted a Hartman pass and returned it for a 28-yard touchdown. Hartman, who had struggled against Clemson during his time at Wake Forest, had a tough day, finishing with just 146 yards and two interceptions.
For Notre Dame, the inability to capitalize on early opportunities, settling for field goals instead of touchdowns, proved costly. They entered the half trailing 24-9 and found themselves pinned deep in their own territory during the final period. Clemson's resurgence has raised the question of whether this Tiger team can make a run for the ACC title.
Once the preseason favorites to claim their eighth league title in nine years, they showed their true potential with strong offensive line play and a dominant defense against Notre Dame. In a rollercoaster week that started with fiery criticism and ended in an exhilarating victory, Dabo Swinney's
Tigers demonstrated their resilience and determination. The response to the "Tyler of Spartanburg" incident showed that adversity could serve as the fuel needed to reignite a team's spirit, proving that in college football, anything is possible.
Comments