After struggling in losses to SMU and Duke, allowing 81 combined points, Clemson’s defense bounced back Saturday night against Florida State – giving up just a single touchdown, and only three points after halftime, in the 24-10 win at Memorial Stadium.

Maybe it was a visit from Brent Venables, the former Clemson national championship defensive coordinator, that sparked the defensive turnaround?

Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney says Venables being back in Clemson – and on the sideline, wearing the Tiger Paw – brought the Tigers “some good mojo.”

Venables, now in his fourth season as Oklahoma’s head coach, returned to watch his son, Clemson safety Tyler Venables, during the Sooners’ off week.

“It was good mojo. We had some good mojo down there,” Swinney said during his postgame press conference. “So, it was great to see him, and pulling for those guys for a strong finish.”

Venables won two national titles with Clemson during his ultra-successful 10-year stint as defensive coordinator from 2012-21, and he helped the Tigers win ACC titles each year from 2015-20. He received the Frank Broyles Award in 2016 as the nation’s top assistant coach after being a finalist in 2015.

After joining Clemson prior to the 2012 season, Venables constructed one of the nation’s top defenses. From 2012-2021, the Tigers ranked first nationally in sacks (445; next most was 392) and opponent third-down conversion percentage (30.2), second in opponent pass efficiency rating (111.1) and takeaways (244; tied), third in scoring defense (17.8 ppg) and opponent completion percentage (53.3), fourth in total defense (311.4 ypg) and pass defense (190.5 ypg), fifth in interceptions (148) and sixth in rushing defense (120.9 ypg).

Swinney says on Saturday night, Venables even gave his thought on what FSU would call on a second-down play.

“I looked up, and I was like, ‘There’s Brent!’ I gave him a sideline pass,” Swinney said. “I went over there and I said, ‘What do you think they’re going to call right here on second-and-14?’”

“He’s like, ‘Probably a screen or draw! It’s probably a screen or draw!’” Swinney said, doing a full-on Venables impersonation.

Swinney is happy that Venables got to come back and watch his son Tyler – also known as “T-Bone” – who’s a chip off the old block and a veteran leader of the Tigers. Tyler has said he hopes to follow in the footsteps of his father and get into the coaching profession himself after his Clemson career comes to an end.

Tyler, a sixth-year safety, has made his own significant impact on the Clemson program.

“Man, I love Brent, and it was awesome for him to be Dad and to be able to see T-Bone,” Swinney said. “T-Bone blocked a punt last week [vs. Duke].

“Tyler’s just – you talk about one of the best leaders that we’ve had here — freakin’ Tyler Venables. This kid loves Clemson. He loves this team. He loves everything about Clemson, and he’s pretty much grown up here. And for Brent to be able to get back, and Julie – for them to be able to get back and just be a part of that, it was awesome.”

Brent Venables’ Oklahoma team (7-2), ranked No. 12 nationally, travels to No. 4 Alabama (8-1) on Saturday (3:30 p.m., ABC), while Clemson (4-5) heads to Louisville (7-2) on Friday night (7:30 p.m., ESPN).