CLEMSON — Clemson had a very emotional team meeting Monday, as the Tigers try to salvage what is left of a season that has gone horribly wrong.
This past Saturday, Clemson was soundly defeated by Syracuse at Memorial Stadium, marking the program’s fourth consecutive loss to a Power 4 squad at home, dating back to last season. That has not happened in 30 years in Tigertown.
The Tigers are also 1-3 for the first time since 2004 and 0-2 in the ACC for the first time since 2010. In other words, things have not gone well for a team many predicted as a favorite to contend for a national championship.
“There was a lot of pain in that locker room because these are great kids, and they care. They really do,” Swinney said.
Because they care so much, Swinney feels his group will respond the right way when they get back on the football field on Oct. 4 at North Carolina.
“Our team meeting, and the comments that were said, I think we will come out of it stronger,” he said.
Though Clemson’s chances of playing for an ACC Championship are likely gone, as well as its hopes of making the College Football Playoff, Swinney insist there is still a lot to play for in 2025, and he feels he has the right players and leadership that can help them finish the season strong.
“We haven’t got the results that we wanted. We are all responsible for those results,” Swinney said. “But there are a lot of great things that can come out of it, for us as a team, a program, and certainly for the young men that are having to deal with disappointment and adversity.”
The Tigers still have eight games remaining on their schedule, which starts in Chapel Hill, N.C. From there, the Tigers travel to Boston to face the Eagles of Boston College and then return home for three consecutive home dates against SMU, Duke and No. 8 Florida State.
They then visit Louisville on a Friday (Nov. 8) before returning home for their home finale against Furman. On Nov. 29, the Tigers conclude the season against rival South Carolina in Columbia.
“This is certainly a tough moment for us, but it will make us better,” Swinney said.