Clemson still has plenty of room to grow, but Dabo Swinney believes the Tigers are beginning to develop the confidence and toughness they will need as the season gets more difficult.
That was one of Swinney’s biggest takeaways after the Tigers traveled across the country and defeated Cal 24-10, leaning heavily on its defense and running game to remain unbeaten in ACC play.
“They’re just coming together, building some calluses, I would say,” Swinney said Sunday evening. “My focus is always kinda on how we play, and the effort, and toughness, and physicality, and the belief, and just team.”
Clemson rushed for more than 250 yards and kept Cal’s offense out of the end zone. The Tigers have also allowed just six second-half points over their last three
games.
“Defensively, probably our best game,” Swinney said. “Really flew around, played tough, played physical.”
London Merritt was among the standouts up front, with Swinney calling it his best performance of the season.
Offensively, freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds had a much more uneven night.
“Tait did not get a good start, but settled in,” Swinney said.
Swinney said Reynolds has been accurate throughout practice, but that consistency did not carry over early against Cal. He specifically pointed to several missed opportunities on throws to Christian Bentancur, including plays where Reynolds was moving outside the pocket.
“He’s gotta be more consistent with that,” Swinney said. “And that’s one of his strengths, actually, is throwing the ball on the move.”
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Still, Clemson remains committed to allowing Reynolds to work through the growing pains that come with playing a freshman quarterback.
“Every chance we get to coach him, he’s gonna get better,” Swinney said.
The next opportunity comes against Miami under the lights in Death Valley, a matchup Swinney believes will require Clemson’s best performance yet.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney on his team finding a groove ahead of Miami
