Tom Allen on Defensive Struggles in Loss to SMU: 'Critical Times, We’ve Got to Execute'
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Clemson (3–4, 2–3 ACC) rallied from a 29–17 deficit to pull within five of SMU late in the fourth quarter on Saturday. With just over six minutes remaining, quarterback Christopher Vizzina, starting in place of the injured Cade Klubnik, lofted a 23-yard touchdown pass to Tristan Smith, cutting the score to 29–24. The Tigers were one defensive stand away from regaining possession with a chance to win.
But SMU’s final drive summed up Clemson’s night. The Mustangs marched 75 yards in 13 plays, sealing the game with a touchdown at the 1:03 mark. Along the way, SMU converted a 4th-and-3 after a pass interference penalty on Ronan Hanafin, and a 3rd-and-10 when Kevin Jennings found Jordan Hudson for a 26-yard gain — the backbreaker that put SMU ahead 35–24.
“Guys in position just gotta make the play,” defensive coordinator Tom Allen said on Tuesday, commenting on the last drive. “We had miscommunication on one of those, which was just so frustrating, because the exact same thing happened earlier in the game. [We] executed properly, and they got off the field because of it. That was my challenge to our guys. [In] critical times, we’ve got to communicate. We’ve got to execute. To me, if I had to say a theme from the game, that was what it was. You can do a lot of great things, but if you don't execute those critical times, it's going to cost you.”
Allen said he takes full responsibility for the defensive breakdowns and added that while the effort was there, the execution wasn’t.
Clemson allowed 429 total yards to SMU, a number that underscored the Tigers’ inconsistency. Through seven games, the Tigers rank No. 42 nationally in total defense, No. 26 against the run (109 yards per game), and No. 78 against the pass (228 yards per game).
Allen cited a lack of depth and development as one of the defense’s major hurdles thus far this season.
“I was hoping that we just would have developed some more depth along the way,” Allen said. “I knew we needed [that]. It would be a big part of us having success during the season, and I've been disappointed we haven't been able to do that.”
He specifically pointed to thin depth at safety and linebacker as ongoing challenges.
"I think the safety position, to me, is one we really kind of needed guys to come along and to be able to help us and give us more depth. I think at linebacker as well. I think that's the disappointing thing from the last bye week," Allen said. "I felt we made a lot of growth [the] last few weeks and needed to see it show up consistently in this game. And [I] didn't see it consistently. Saw a lot of the time, but it's got to be all the time.”
Allen, who began the season coaching from the booth, has been back on the sidelines for the past three games — a move he says has helped him reconnect with his players, even if it hasn’t solved every issue.
“I mean, to me, there's no magic in me being on the field or in the press box. I do think that it was a positive thing without question,” Allen said. “For me, I love being on the field.”
His first game back on the sideline came during Clemson’s road win over North Carolina, when the Tigers limited the Tar Heels’ No. 131-ranked offense to 265 total yards. The next week, Clemson followed that up by holding Boston College’s No. 75-ranked offense to just 221 total yards, well below its season average of over 370.
“I love being in there with the guys, I feel more emotionally connected with them, and also think it helps me,” Allen said. “We're not an oozing with confidence defense. So that's where, kind of looking back, maybe I should have been down there earlier. At the same time, you go through different things, and I made a decision, and you gotta live with that.”
Allen, who has spent most of his coaching career on the field, said he plans to stay there for the rest of the season.
“I'm glad I came back down, and I think it's where I need to be and sort of stay,” he said. “I just feel like being able to look them in the eye and being able to totally be right there with them and make those adjustments face to face, instead of on the headset, is very important. So, I definitely will be staying down there, and I'm glad I am.”
Clemson will use the upcoming bye week to regroup before returning to Death Valley on Nov. 1 to host Duke (4-3, 3-1).
