“You’re Freaking Batman”: Dabo Swinney Breaks Down Clemson’s Reset and Rise

This Q&A was transcribed from Dabo Swinney’s weekly Tiger Hour appearance with Don Munson on the Clemson Athletic Network following the Tigers’ 38–10 win at North Carolina. Responses have been lightly edited for clarity and flow.

“You’re freaking Batman.”

Q: “One of the things you said after the game was how important field position was, because you all had been way down in that category.”

Swinney: “Yeah — 112th. That’s been really frustrating. You know, we talk a lot about play calling and things like that, and it’s hard to get in rhythm when you’re starting drives on the five-yard line or the ten-yard line, and then everybody’s pressing.

But my big message to them going in was, some of you guys, it’s like y’all have just forgotten who you are. You’re Batman. You’re freaking Batman. You can get out of this. And it was great to see them play like that again.”

“If he plays quarterback like that, we’re a tough out.”

Q: “You mentioned that checkdown Cade made to Adam — to me, I thought maybe that was the key play for Cade in the entire game.”
Swinney: “His pocket presence was what we expect, and he just played really well. That was definitely one of the plays. He had a shot — if you look at it — to put it on T.J., but it was a tempo play, shot, and that was awesome for him to check it down.

Then there was another one where he stepped up in the pocket and found Adam again. And there was another time — the third-and-whatever to T.J. Moore — T.J.’s the fourth read. He just came all the way back to the backside dig and threw a rope. Protection was really good, and he just sat in the pocket and looked like Cade.

It was just so encouraging to see that, because he hasn’t been as consistent in that area. If he plays quarterback like that, we’re a tough out.”

The double-pass on the first play

Q: “How the first play came along… and why don’t we run first plays like that more often?”
Swinney: “It was just something that stood out on tape. Their secondary guys were very, very aggressive. We trust Antonio a ton. Worst case, he’s gonna run it or throw it away. The one that we had to open the game obviously was the double pass and the guys executed very well.”

Cade Klubnik’s best trait vs UNC

Q: “You mentioned that checkdown Cade made to Adam… maybe that was the key play…?”
Swinney: “His pocket presence was what we expect… that was awesome for him to check it down… third-and-whatever… to T.J. Moore—T.J.’s the fourth read… he just came all the way back to the backside dig and threw a rope… If he plays quarterback like that, we’re a tough out.”

Scouting Boston College

Q: “What are some of the challenges that you expect from Boston College?”
Swinney: “They’re big up front… a ton of pressure in your face, a lot of man coverage… It’s your typical Boston College team… The back is leading them in rushing… Quarterback’s a really good player… a lot of run, play-action… It’s gonna start with stopping the run… They’re a much, much better team than what their record says they are.”