After the first scrimmage of fall camp, Dabo Swinney sent a message to his second-year placekicker, Nolan Hauser.

The longtime head coach made it clear that he expected more than what he saw that day.

“I think he’s been average this week,” Swinney said after that first scrimmage. “He was 2-for-3 today, but one just terrible kick. I think he’s had an average week. So, he needs to pick it up. Last year’s kicks don’t carry over.”

Consider that message received loud and clear.

After the Tigers scrimmaged for the second time on Thursday, Swinney made it abundantly clear he has been pleased with his kicker’s response.

“He had a great day, make sure you print that,” Swinney said. “He stunk last week… well, he was average. He wasn’t terrible, but he wasn’t what we need him to be. He actually had a really good day. He’s had a few good days.”

Hauser was phenomenal during his freshman campaign. He connected on 18-of-24 field goal attempts, with most of the misses being blocked due to protection issues. His 18 field goals were one shy of Chris Gardocki’s school record for a Clemson true freshman (19 in 1988).

He was also 59-of-60 on PATs, and his 113 points set a new program record for true freshmen. He was selected as a Freshman All-American by the FWAA and as a True Freshman All-American by Pro Football Focus.

Hauser’s most memorable kick was a 56-yarder as time expired that secured an ACC Championship win over SMU and a berth in the College Football Playoff.

After that kind of production during his debut season, expectations are high for Hauser entering his sophomore campaign, and throughout fall camp, Swinney has been more than pleased with his kicker’s mental approach.

“Nolan, stuff just goes off his back,” Swinney said. “He is just kind of wired the right way. I thought he was average last week, but he was good.”

Photo by Dawson Powers