Swinney on Secondary: ‘I have to do whatever I have to do to fix it’

CLEMSON — Clemson head coach was “very” disappointed in the play of his secondary in the Tigers’ 46-45 loss to Duke Saturday at Memorial Stadium.

Clemson allowed Duke quarterback Darian Mensah to throw for 361 yards and 4 TDs on Saturday, but more importantly all four passing scores came on busted coverages, including one with 18 seconds to play before halftime.

The Tigers (3-5, 2-4 ACC) also had a coverage bust in the fourth quarter that allowed Mensah to complete a 56-yard pass to tight end Jeremiah Hasley on the game-winning drive.

Swinney was asked if the any of those blown coverages were happening in practice.

“No we have not. They have practiced well,” Swinney said.

They are not playing well, though. This is the second straight game in which the Clemson defense gave up big passing plays in the secondary.

Clemson’s head coach was asked if he will make any player or coaching changes to get things fixed in the secondary.

“I got to fix it,” Swinney said. “I have to do whatever I have to do to fix it.”

Cornerbacks coach Mike Reed is in his 13th season at Clemson, and is also Swinney’s assistant head coach and co-special teams coordinator. The special teams gave up a 100-yard kickoff return for a TD in the third quarter, which did not help matters either.

Mickey Conn, who coaches the safeties, is in 10th season at Clemson. He is also listed as the Tigers’ Defensive Game Passing Coordinator.

“I am going to do whatever I got to do to fix it,” Swinney said. “This stuff here is just not working.”