CLEMSON – Dabo Swinney’s voice is one of defense for the Clemson Tigers since the latest loss to NC State. Following the game, he took full blame for the shortcomings against the Wolfpack, but it’s drawn an interesting perspective from a Clemson star.

Linebacker Barrett Carter is one of many catalysts for the Tigers’ defensive success. He’s a vocal leader and one of the biggest competitors on the team. That competitive mindset is what sparked an interesting answer about Swinney defending the team.

He appreciates his coach going up to bat for his players, but it’s bittersweet because he doesn’t want to lose at anything.

“With Coach Swinney doing that, it’s hard for me because I love Coach Swinney and I appreciate him doing that,” Carter said. “But for me and the competitor that I am and never wanting to lose anything that I’m doing…it’s cool to see but at the same time, it also kind of lights a fire inside me.”

At 4-4, Clemson has little to play for, but Carter doesn’t plan to let that stop him from defending his coach on the field with his play. The Tigers have a tough task with Notre Dame in Death Valley, and Carter sees it as an opportunity to make sure Swinney doesn’t have to field more criticism about his players.

“You don’t want your coach to have to stick up for you and take the blame for anything like that because I feel like it’s also on us players to go out there and execute whatever’s being called…it’s on us to line up and dominate the person in front of us so it’s great that Coach Swinney does that, but I don’t want him to have to ever do that again,” Carter said.

To this point, Clemson’s defense is No. 6 in the country in yards allowed. It’s a representation of the drive this group had and it’s personified through Carter. Nonetheless, the naysayers pile up when a program of such a stature tastes defeat and Carter plans to silence that noise for good.