A New Edge: Clemson's passionate performance reflects Swinney's demeanor
CLEMSON -- On Wednesday evening, Dabo Swinney told reporters he was pissed off.
Angry about a text he received from a media member regarding the health of his superstar quarterback. Upset that outsiders have been trying to “create drama” in a drama-free zone.
Maybe he was also tired of hearing theories as to why Clemson looked a little off in a nail-biting win at North Carolina for two whole weeks.
That’s why it seemed as if there was a different look in the Clemson head coach’s eyes as he approached the top of the hill before kickoff against Florida State on Saturday. Because he knew what his team was about to unleash upon the team that used to be the cream of the crop in the ACC.
There was no drama whatsoever Saturday afternoon as No. 2 Clemson rolled over the Seminoles 45-14. And, as we’ve said after most games this season, the end result could’ve been far worse.
“It was our best game, for sure to this point,” Swinney said after the win. “It was nice to see us look like a really confident team today.”
The mentality for the Tigers was to come out attacking. Swinney told the team during Tuesday’s team meeting that they were going to start the game with two plays: a deep shot to Tee Higgins and a halfback pass from Travis Etienne to Justyn Ross.
The two plays worked perfectly, and it set the tone from the onset. The only problem was that Swinney was hoping they would score on the first play and then score on the second play the next series.
“I just felt like I needed to set the mindset and really challenge these guys of how we were going to go play and how we were going to attack,” Swinney said. “I think our guys had a little edge to them that we didn’t have up at North Carolina and I really needed to send that message.”
Swinney said Friday on ESPN’s First Take on Friday that it was about time to stretch out the legs of his “thoroughbreds” this week going into Clemson’s sixth game. And boy, did those playmakers come roaring out of the gates.
The offense was hell on wheels, especially in the first half as they out-gained the Seminoles 367 yards to 63 when the game was still in the balance.
Speaking of balance, Travis Etienne got his groove back after a couple of sour games with 127 yards on the ground on 17 carries and some great pass blocks along the way. Clemson’s rushing attack finished the game with 320 yards from 10 different players.
“He’s had a couple of weeks of Robitussin and NyQuil. We all know how bad that tastes,” Swinney said of Etienne. “Great players respond. He responded like a champion today.
Trevor Lawrence played a rock-solid game with just over two quarters of action before being pulled early in the third quarter. He finished with 170 yards passing and three touchdowns on a 17-of-25 clip. He even added a rushing touchdown from eight yards out to continue his impressive season running the ball and showing anyone doubting his health who he is.
The offense set the tone, but it was another masterful performance from Brent Venables’ defense that sealed the deal. Clemson held Florida State in check all night and made life miserable for whoever wanted to take snaps. James Blackman only completed nine of his 23 passes and threw two interceptions while Alex Hornibrook wasn’t much better with am 8-of-16 line for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Both quarterbacks looked pedestrian as Clemson lived in the backfield seemingly on every snap. Florida State running back Cam Akers was held in check for the third year in a row with nine carries for 34 yards, one of which being a gain of 15.
In the last three years, In Akers has rushed for 81 yards on 32 carries for an average of less than three yards per carry against Clemson. Isaiah Simmons led the charge with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and pressure to force an interception.
The Tigers forced four turnovers, one of which was one of the easiest pick-6’s from Derion Kendrick that you’ll ever see to put Clemson up 42-0.
Forty-two.
Clemson looked so in sync and locked in early, it would have been a good day to face any of the top teams in the country.
Or, like last year’s game in Tallahassee, a good day to pick up a quality book.
It wasn’t too long ago that Clemson’s rivalry with Florida State was must-watch television. But Saturday afternoon broadcasters had to spend so much of the second half looking for time fillers as a boring game that was pretty much over after the coin toss took place.
Swinney said after the game that this was not a team looking to make some sort of resounding statement after hearing for two weeks how flawed they are. But that’s sure what it felt like.
Clemson played angry and it started with the mentality from the head man and worked its way down to his players. It was evident on one play, in particular, we mentioned in our instant analysis.
Lawrence was in the midst of a touchdown drive at the beginning of the second quarter to take a 21-0 lead. After he picked up a first down on third-and-6, he took a hard hit from Florida State cornerback Hamsah Nasirildeen, who clapped his hands in Lawrence’s face and had a few words afterward.
Lawrence acknowledged the trash talk and delivered a devastating blow three plays later to Justyn Ross, who led the team with 5 receptions and two touchdowns. Instead of running to Ross to celebrate, Lawrence made a bee-line to Nasirildeen to give him a few words of his own and escort him to the sideline.
That moment was the embodiment of what Clemson was unleashing in what was its 21st consecutive win.
The Tigers looked pissed off, looked like they have found what wasn’t clicking - a new edge even.
“What you saw today was a team that was eager to get back out there,” Swinney said.
The thoroughbreds look like they are just starting to hit their stride.