Earlier this season, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney called out T.J. Moore for dropping three potential touchdown passes during a game.

On Saturday, following Clemson’s 18-13 victory at Syracuse, Swinney stood behind and supported the veteran wide receiver despite an afternoon of mixed results.

During the game, the Tigers broke out a trick play in the second quarter, resulting in a 36-yard pass completion from fellow wideout Bryant Wesco Jr. to Moore.

However, Moore also failed to capitalize on a scoring opportunity by dropping a ball on what Swinney described as a “routine play.”

“He made some tough catches. He dropped the easiest one he had,” Swinney said. “That’s been something this year. … We just don’t make a routine play. But boy, he came back and made a critical third-down play.”

The bad drop by Moore came on a third-and-17 play late in the third quarter. Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds threw a downfield strike to Moore, who had managed to get wide open. The ball hit Moore right in his hands, but he was unable to reel it in, missing a touchdown opportunity that would have given the Tigers a 24-6 lead and helped put the game away.

As Swinney alluded to, on Clemson’s next possession, with the Tigers backed up deep in their own territory, Moore made a strong catch for an 8-yard reception on third-and-5 to pick up a first down, keep the drive alive and allow the Tigers to milk some clock.

“He’s had some bad timing where he’s made some mistakes. That was a big one today, because he’d probably put the game away right there,” Swinney said of the dropped potential touchdown pass.

“It was a great protection. Again, kind of a reset by Tait, and an absolute dime of a throw. Great route, and we just don’t make it. But he came back on the third down and made a huge play.”

Moore finished Saturday’s game with four receptions for 63 yards. Through nine games this season, the junior has caught 37 passes for 368 yards and a touchdown, ranking second on the team behind Wesco in both receptions and receiving yards.

Swinney acknowledged that Moore has had “some missed opportunities” for big plays this season, leaving multiple touchdowns off the scoreboard, but he defended Moore and emphasized his belief in the talented receiver.

“I hate it for T.J. because honestly he probably should have a touchdown in the last three games, and he’s had some missed opportunities,” Swinney said. “But he’s a really good player, and we believe in him.”