Clemson DC Tom Allen, ‘Disappointed, Not Discouraged’ After Loss to Georgia Tech
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Clemson defensive coordinator Tom Allen didn’t hide his frustration on Tuesday when discussing the Tigers’ 24-21 loss to Georgia Tech on Saturday — a defeat that not only dropped Clemson to 1-2 on the season but also pushed them out of the AP Top 25.
The game ended on a 55-yard field goal as time expired, capping a 10-play, 38-yard Georgia Tech drive that bled 3:26 off the clock. While Clemson’s defense held the Yellow Jackets to just 24 points after falling behind 13-0 early, the unit couldn’t get off the field late, allowing three third-down conversions that ultimately cost them the chance to win.
“I think, obviously, what’s fresh in your mind is what you just played,” Allen said. “Just disappointed, not discouraged, but disappointed in the inability to get off the field and give our offense the ball back so we can go win the game. So that’s just what we’re supposed to do.”
Through three games, Clemson’s defense has given up just five touchdowns, but its overall ranking of No. 73 nationally is a step back from last year’s No. 69 finish. The most glaring issue has been third-down defense — opponents are converting at a 43.5% clip compared to 36.4% in 2024 and 32% in 2023.
For Allen, the problem comes down to execution.
“Just the execution to me in all three games, at times, it’s been good,” Allen said. “It’s not been consistent enough for me to be the defense that we want to be.”
One challenge, Allen admitted, has been youth and inexperience.
“I think the biggest thing has been the young guys being in the position for the first time,” Allen said. “We got a couple of safeties that played a ton of reps. This is their first time starting. Those situations, those opportunities, come up, and obviously, players playing in a new system early in the season. I think that could be a variable as well.”
Additionally, the Tigers are without junior safety Khalil Barnes, a returning starter, who has missed time with a hamstring injury.
“He really makes a difference, from a communication perspective, because of his experience, and he’s really done a great job,” Allen said of Barnes' impact in the secondary. “He knows the defense. A special player. He just really fits. He’s a safety for us. Obviously, could play the TIGER position, actually can play all three.”
Head coach Dabo Swinney, meanwhile, called the defense “soft” on the perimeter after Saturday’s loss. Allen didn’t deny the struggles, pointing to formation issues and lapses in anticipation as culprits.
“I think, for instance, I can take a couple [plays] off my head right now," Allen said. "I can just visualize from the game to where it was, the lack of reaction to either the call or the formation. You've got to anticipate certain things.
"I don’t think that they’re soft players," he continued. “I think that the soft play is created sometimes with hesitancy and lack of just enough good reps and playing with confident, great physical technique.”
Tackling has also been an issue, at times, on the perimeter, something Swinney specifically cited. It’s been a focus since Allen arrived in the spring, but he acknowledged there’s still room to grow.
“Well, we’re not where we want to be. I still think that,” Allen said. “I think we’ve been a solid tackling team. We’ve had some key misses. You’re never going to make every single tackle. They’ve got athletes, too, on scholarship and do some good things at this level. At the same time, I want to continue to emphasize. If we had guys that missed tackles, for every missed tackle, you got accountability for that on Monday night’s practice.”
Clemson will have to regroup with a defense still searching for consistency and confidence against Syracuse this weekend. While Allen admits there’s frustration, he remains optimistic about the unit’s long-term potential.
