It wasn't fun to see our defense play poorly but it never felt like the game was even close yesterday and as my granddad used to say, "one point is as good as 1000"
~ Scott Hamilton
Coach Swinney spoke earlier today on the ACC Championship Game teleconference. Swinney got fired up about stories he read and things he heard about following Clemson’s 56-35 win over South Carolina.
We will have all of Coach Swinney and Pitt Coach Pat Nardozzi’s audio up later this evening.
“The bad news is we played our worst game defensively. The good news is that we are a lot better than that, and we all know that, and got a bunch of videos to show it. Basic things that we didn't do right. Then they had some wrinkles too, that we didn't adjust well to as coaches. We got to own it and we'll learn from it. It will make us better. But at the end of the day, you know, I've been a part of this thing for 16 years. I just want to win by one more point and if that ever gets to where that's not enough, then it's time for me to move on somewhere else.”
“I ain't never going to apologize for a 21 point win over a state rival...ever. And you people who suggest that it felt like a loss, y'all need to check yourself too. I have been here 16 years. For all those people go out there who want to complain about five wins in a row and by winning by three touchdowns, man that's that's shameful. That's a lack of respect for our program and a lack of respect for the effort that these players and coaches put in. I hope you write that.
“12-0 football team. A senior class that's won 52 games and we got people complaining? Give me a break. If 12-0 ain't good enough then it's time to seek other places. Make sure you get that.”
Asked about the fan base and the expectations that they have Swinney added the following.
“Well, I'm going to say it one more time. We've had eight 10+ win seasons. We're 12-0. Third time in the history of this school that we've won five state championships in a row. When that's not enough for some people, that's sad. I've been a part of...we've lost five of those in a row. There's been some articles pushed my way, and some comments from people. This program is never going to be that way. I'm not gonna stand for that, it's too hard to win. Too hard to win. These players work too hard.”
“The goal is to WIN, period. That's just the way it is. I don't want to ever be a program EVER, that doesn't appreciate winning. When you win by three touchdowns in a state championship and you got people who can't appreciate that, man that's really sad. It's really sad. Just look around college football, there's a lot of places out there that would love to have the program that we have here. I can assure you of that.”
Another website wrote how the win over South Carolina felt like a loss... I'm pretty sure that was even the title. There's definitely some animosity towards that.Barnyard Bird said:
I watched the game again and I just give Bentley credit. He played much better than I thought. Clemson's secondary didn't help out and Tanner Muse made some big mistakes, but I was happy with the win. I guess there are just some spoiled fans out there.
One thing though, it sounded like he was mad at some writers too. I thought the story here was perfectly fine.