CLEMSON — In the spring, Dabo Swinney was hard on kicker Nolan Hauser.

Though the junior made 17 of his 21 kicks in 2025, and all of his 38 extra points, Clemson’s head coach, on several occasions, called him out after practice, letting the media know how many field goal attempts his All-ACC caliber kicker missed.

“Ever since I got here my freshman year, he has been challenging me,” Hauser said after the Tigers’ 22-7 victory over Georgia Southern on Saturday. “That is why I love him and the coach he is, every day is a challenge.

“If I miss one field goal in practice. He will challenge me to be perfect.”

Hauser had no issues with his coach’s challenge, something he proved in the win over the Eagles. He was perfect, making all five of his field goals, including 50- and 49-yard kicks on his last two attempts.

It was Hauser’s right leg that was literally the difference in the game.

“When you get (to game day) it is expected,” said Hauser, who is now 6-for-6 after two games. “So, when you go five-for-five, it is your job. It is what you have to do for the team.”

Hauser was not the only special teams player that had a special day on Saturday. Clemson, without doubt, won the special teams battle against Georgia Southern, which cements Swinney’s off-season hire of Rich Bisaccia as special teams coordinator.

Besides Hauser’s five field goals, which tied a career high, Clemson also recovered a fumble punt, Bryant Wesco had a career-best 26-yard punt return that set up Hauser’s first field goal, while punter Jack Smith had another big night with five punts downed inside the 20-yard line and a couple inside the 10.

“Special teams was awesome, I mean just awesome,” Swinney said.

They were special, especially on day when the Tigers needed them to be special. However, no one was more special than Hauser, who stepped up when his right leg was needed more than ever.

“Five-for-five. He was money,” Swinney said. “Obviously, we want to convert some of those field goals to touchdowns and if you do, you put the game away. When you don’t, you allow them to hang around. So, it was good and bad.

“I am proud of Hauser, but I really don’t want to kick five field goals. I’d like to kick two and get three more touchdowns, but special teams was outstanding.”