Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney attributed Saturday’s 17-10 loss to LSU to a combination of offensive struggles, critical errors, and a subpar performance from quarterback Cade klubnik, during a conference call Monday.The Tigers were held to 31 rushing yards while LSU gained 108 on the ground, and Clemson failed to score in the second half.
The defeat marks a notable early-season setback for the No. 9 ranked Clemson, impacting their College Football Playoff aspirations and raising questions about the team’s offensive consistency. Swinney’s post-game analysis focuses on areas for immediate improvement as the team prepares for its next challenge.Swinney expressed regret over not providing running back Adam Randall with sufficient opportunities, stating the team needs to establish a rhythm to increase his carries. He declined to provide details regarding an injury to wide receiver Antonio Williams, noting further facts would be available later in the week.
Regarding the offensive line,Swinney acknowledged imperfections across the board,stating they were “edged on some of their pressures” but weren’t entirely ineffective.He was notably critical of Klubnik’s performance, saying the quarterback “got rattled” and missed routine plays, despite acknowledging his potential for improvement.
Swinney also addressed the team’s abandonment of the run game, emphasizing the need for better decision-making to sustain drives and a continued commitment to establishing a running attack.He reiterated that the game ultimately hinged on executing essential plays, something Klubnik struggled with.
A recording of the full conference call is available here: https://sportstalksc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/swinney-8-31.mp3
