CLEMSON — Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney spoke to the media one last time this week, as the Tigers get set to host Florida State Saturday at Memorial Stadium.
Below are some of the topics and answers from Swinney’s short meeting with the media.
–Swinney was asked about the ACC’s new injury report which are released on Thursday and Friday each week during the season.
“I do not think it has been a problem on our end,” he said. “It has been pretty straight forward for us. It really has not been anything for us. The opponents we have played have been pretty straight forward, nothing funky or anything like that.”
–Swinney was also asked about the performance of wide receiver T.J. Moore, who had 2 catches for 92 yards and a TD in last week’s loss to Duke. Moore has 28 catches for 499 yards and 4 TDs this season. He is averaging 17.8 yards per catch.
“He has just learned how to practice,” Swinney said. “I am really proud of T.J. He was one of those guys last year that was really talented and the game just kind of comes easy to him. He was not very detailed, early, as a freshman, and did not have great practice habits.”
–Clemson freshman running back Gideon Davidson was also brought up on the call. He rushed for 51 yards against Duke last week, his best outing of the season.
“That is why recruited him,” Swinney said. “He is a great talent and C.J. (Spiller) has done a great job really developing him holistically to be a complete player. He is playing with a lot of confidence. You do not always see it on game day, but we see it in practice, so it was great to see him have a game where he can really put it all together and have a coming out party for him.”
–Swinney was also asked about the new clock rules that started last year and how it has shortened the game and limited possessions, which makes forcing turnovers more of priority. During their two-game losing streak, the Tigers have not forced a turnover.
“That is a tough way to win,” he said. “Winning the turnover margin is a big part of our plan. Guys are playing hard to win. Winning the turnover margin is the first part in our plan to win before you get into other aspects of it. It puts a lot of pressure on people when you take the ball away.”