CLEMSON — Though it was a tough week for Clemson ahead of its trip to California last Friday, there was a benefit.
The extra day, where the Tigers returned to Clemson around noon on Saturday, gave them a whole day to rest their body, something they would not have had if they played on a traditional Saturday in California.
“I do not even really remember yesterday to be honest with you,” Clemson head coach Swinney said on Sunday. “It was a crazy day. We got home round 11 am, so that was kind of the day to reset a little bit.”
Of course, the Tigers were getting back from a 24-10 victory over California in their first trip to Berkeley. They got two touchdowns from Gideon Davidson and 159 rushing yards, including a 75-yard run to clinch the victory, as well as 65-yard punt return for a score from Bryant Wesco.
The Clemson defense smothered the Golden Bears, holding them to a season low 231 yards, while limiting quarterback Jaron-KeaweSagapolutele to a career low 119 yards on 16 of 29 passing and two interceptions.
According to Swinney, the players took Sunday off as well.
“I think we will be in a good spot by the end of the week,” he said.
The Tigers (3-1, 2-0 ACC) host No. 4 Miami (4-0, 2-0) this Saturday (7:30 p.m.) at Memorial Stadium. This will be the Hurricanes’ third conference road game to start the season.
As for Swinney, he does not seem worried about his players being tired from the California trip because of the two days—Saturday and Sunday—they had off to recover.
“Thankfully, it was a Friday game instead of a Saturday game, so that should help us,” he said. “As for this week, it is just kind of a normal week from a prep standpoint. But we got, by far, the best opponent we had at home coming here to the Valley. So, it will be a big challenge for us.”
Clemson is currently listed as a 17.5-point underdog for Saturday’s game. It is the first time the Tigers have been a double-digit underdog at home since they were a 17-point dog in 2003 to No. 3 Florida State.
Of course, Clemson won that game 26-10.
—photo courtesy of Clemson Athletic Communications