Dino Babers said of the close games in the series, 'I think our guys like playing them'
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Syracuse is 2-8 all-time against Clemson in football and last beat the Tigers on Oct. 13, 2017. Head Coach Dino Babers led that Syracuse team to the 27-24 upset win over the second-ranked team in the nation.
On Saturday, No. 5 Clemson (7-0) and No. 14 Syracuse (6-0) will play for ACC-Atlantic Division supremacy and to remain in College Football Playoffs contention.
Babers, who has a 1-5 record against Clemson, discussed the all-important contest during his weekly press conference on Monday.
Opening statement:
"We're playing a fine Clemson team. Coach Dabo Swinney does a fantastic job there's no doubt about it -- some of the finest athletes in the conference and in the country. And not only do they have fantastic individuals, they're a good football team, and they have an amazing streak going on down there, and we're going to play them at their place which is a very difficult task. But our guys are in good spirits, and we're looking forward to the opportunity."
Babers on preparing his team to play their second road game of the season in a place like Death Valley:
"Well, it's going to be fun. And this is what all these young men come in to play this opportunity. You're going into Death Valley. With this university, I've gotten to two of them. And they're both impressive places to play. [I] have not had any success but there's a lot of coaches that haven't had success at those places when they're going in there to play. But we're looking forward to the opportunity. We even hear, it's homecoming."
On the improved play of Clemson quarterback D.J Uiagalelei:
"I totally agree with your statement. I think he is much more improved. Their offense has changed dramatically based off of his improvement, and it's a testament to him. I had an opportunity to meet him, obviously at ACC media day, and he's a fine young man. A huge person, by the way, and he's a good spirit, good person, and I'm glad for his success."
On why his teams have played three close games (23-27 and 14-17 losses in 2018 and 2021, respectively, and a 27-24 win in 2017) against the Tigers:
"I really don't know Steve. It's a fabulous question. I think our guys like playing them. Whatever that means. They know all the eyes are on them. They're really, really good. And you need to have some luck when you're playing them because they're exceptional. But I just think that they enjoy playing them."
On the return of defensive tackle Bryan Bresee after the death of his sister Ella and how the Bresee family story is bigger than football:
"I saw that story. I want to say it was on SportsCenter on ESPN. And my prayers go out to their family and my heart goes out to him. But it also makes me think about.....the guy that gave me this jacket, Floyd Little. Before COVID, he was with us. After COVID, he's not. And we have numerous stories as well on this football team of parents and loved ones in the last four years that are no longer with us. And we all have those same feelings. It's bigger than football. We understand that. But we also know how much in our healing process that football helps us heal. And I'm sure that his first thing probably was to get back on the football field and get around his family and we wish him nothing but the best in his healing process."
On losing a late fourth-quarter lead in the 23-27 loss in Death Valley on Sept. 29, 2018:
"Clemson is a championship team. I mean, those guys aren't gonna give up. The game's not over until the game is over. So what, we had a lead and it was three minutes left in the game and they were behind and they needed a touchdown. They went down and got a touchdown and put themselves back up. But you're talking about guys that constantly win 10 games yearly, one of the top coaches in college football, one of the top programs in college football, and one of the top conferences in college football. So to be able to beat them at their place, and what is it 37 in a row or 30 something to that effect, it's obviously a very difficult task for a lot of coaches, and a lot of programs that have went down there and not had any success."