Tensions proved to be high Saturday following Clemson football's come-from-behind win over North Carolina, as the Tigers scored 25 of the game's final 28 points to avoid a further setback and loss to Bill Belichick's Tar Heels at home.
That tension included a quick "drive-by" moment between Dabo Swinney and Belichick in the coaches' postgame handshake.
Swinney addressed that moment in his media availability on Tuesday, Sept. 22, mentioning that Belichick should get "a little bit of slack" for the final seconds of the game at Memorial Stadium, as the chaos with fans on the field might not be a "normal experience" for the Super Bowl-winning coach.
Handshake between Dabo Swinney and Bill Belichick after Clemson wins 28-20, plus Dabo's postgame reaction
to ESPN@ClemsonFB | @wachfox pic.twitter.com/nvSncSkFTh
— Claire Foley (@clairefoleytv) September 19, 2026
"I've been on both sides of it. You got fans on the field, that's not really normal for him. I don't know how many places he's been. This guy's been coaching a long time. I'm not sure he's been on many fields where he's got some random person right here, you don't know who he is, he just came out of the bleachers, and he's talking to him," Swinney said on Tuesday.
"I don't know (if) that was a normal experience for him, so let's give him a little bit of slack here. And then I was way over on the other side (of the field), kind of coming at him. But Coach Belichick's great, man. It was just kind of a drive-by moment. The game went for 22 hours."
"Was that your shortest postgame handshake ever?"
— Carmine Gemei (@CarmineGemei) September 22, 2026
The great @LarryWilliamsTI asked @ClemsonFB Coach Dabo Swinney about his "drive-by moment" with @UNCFootball Coach Bill Belichick. pic.twitter.com/O1I9IcLOgT
The Tar Heels jumped out to a 17-3 lead as the Tigers' offense struggled, which prompted boos from Clemson fans inside the stadium. Clemson would head into the locker room at halftime with just six points before things offensively improved in the second half, as the Tigers outscored the Tar Heels 22-3 in the final 30 minutes.
Tait Reynolds completed 20-of-29 passes for 215 yards with a touchdown and an interception in his first start as Clemson's starting quarterback. Gideon Davidson finished with 105 rushing yards and an 8-yard touchdown on 16 carries.
Clemson continues ACC play on Friday, Sept. 25 with a 10:30 p.m. ET kickoff at Cal.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Why Dabo Swinney said Bill Belichick deserves some 'slack' for postgame handshake
