Talking Tuesday: Clemson’s Swinney says it’s all about his team’s execution ahead of Charleston Southern

Clemson returns from its bye week rested and rejuvenated ready to play Charleston Southern at noon for its military appreciation game. Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says it will be all about Clemson’s execution and communication on Saturday.

The Tigers will be wearing their all purple uniforms, marking the earliest they have worn that combination in a season since against Georgia Tech in September, 2009.

Saturday will be Clemson’s chance to gain some confidence and iron out some struggles up front after dropping its last game to Miami 41-13 in which the Tigers gave up six sacks. This loss dropped their record to 3-2, marking the second straight season Clemson picked up at least two losses in the first five weeks.

This matchup will be the second all-time affair between these two schools with the first occurring in 2023. The Tigers won that contest 66-17 behind a 300-yard passing effort from Cade Klubnik.

Clemson is currently favored by -43.5 according to FanDuel Sportsbook.

Dabo Swinney key comments

• We had a great week last week. Bye week came at a good time as our team is kind of growing. Gave us time to do some things personnel wise. We got a chance to give reps to low-rep guys and get healthy.
• The guys have had a good reset. They know they are good enough to compete and win. I think they understand we have to play together, play complimentary football.
• We have yet to win the turnover margin, and we have to do that in these final seven games to finish strong.
• This is a great week from a military appreciation standpoint. It is always a fun time, and I think its going to be a nice day.
• Elyjah Thurmon is going to carry the (American) flag down for us this week.
• Hopefully, this will be a game where we can play a lot of guys. We haven’t been able to do that.
• Charleston Southern has gotten better (throughout its season). This is a well-coached team, it’s easy to see that. They’ve won three out of the last four.
• Charleston Southern will be a good challenge from a communication and execution standpoint. That’s what I’m looking for. Playing a clean football game and building our team.
• We expect DT Kourtney Kelly to play. We have to see after today’s and tomorrow nights practice. He’s been getting competitive work.
• DB Donovan Starr is the next guy up at the ‘Tiger’ position, but he has to go do it. We’ve seen it in practice. His opportunity has come with Corian Gipson’s injury.
• DB Marcell Gipson Jr. is another option at ‘Tiger’ or CB. He was good in camp before suffering an injury.
• RB Jay Haynes is the forgotten guy around him, and I hope he is remembered on Saturday. He was productive behind Phil Mafah two years ago. There was two or three days in Fall Camp where everybody was like ‘woah.’ This kid is a natural. But he’s had a set back and been unavailable for most of the season.
• LT Brayden Jacobs has been our most steady guy. He cares greatly about his performance, and he will continue to build that consistency in his performance.
• Last week, it was all about Clemson. We did not have to get ready for an opponent. There were some personnel things that needed to be studied, and we are closer than you think.
• There are only two guys that can’t come back with our starting lineup. I understand some guys will leave early, but why would you go pro if drafted below the third round.
• Its about how we play. Not who we play, where we play, when we play.
• Easton Ware to RG is a move that will stay going into this game. Matt Luke wanted to make that move before the season, but an injury to RT Collin Sadler hurt that plan.
• I don’t spend a lot of time worrying about the Protect College Sports Act because I can’t control it.
• Christopher Vizzina no longer has a big brace on his arm, and he has looked better. He is still not 100%, and it would be great to get him back on the field. At some point, we are probably going to need him.
• I think RB Gideon Davidson has been a bright spot, and I was disappointed in somethings early. He took ownership of what he missed early, and you’ve seen some improvement.
• We rely on both analytics and gut decisions. There’s a lot of things analytics don’t tell you. They don’t tell you have a freshman QB or that your defense is playing bad. They are really useful too.

Dabo Swinney press conference