CLEMSON — Clemson football led by 21 points in the fourth quarter, but Tigers coach Dabo Swinney decided to put his first-team defense back on the field.
Furman (6-6) was driving down the field against Clemson‘s reserves, prompting Swinney to replace the 11 players on the field.
“It’s 31-10, and we’re like, ‘Hey, we need to get the ball back right here, and we need to go get a stop,'” Swinney said after the 45-10 win Nov. 22. “It’s good to see those guys be able to go in there and get a stop, but it’s also great to be able to challenge and teach your backups.”
Clemson’s first-team defense prevented the game from becoming a two-possession game, forcing the Paladins to miss a 42-yard field goal.
Swinney added he would have put in his first-team offense back in too, including quarterback Cade Klubnik, who exited the game to a standing ovation in the second quarter in his final home game.
“Absolutely. I would’ve put everybody back in the game,” Swinney said. “If that happens, you’re in a dogfight.”
The Tigers (6-5) reached six wins to be bowl eligible for the 21st straight season. Despite extending its bowl-game streak, Clemson will play in a non-College Football Playoff bowl for the fourth time in five seasons after making the CFP from 2015-20.
Still, Clemson defensive players relished the chance to get back in the game after not playing much since halftime. The Tigers forced two turnovers and dominated Furman, an in-state FCS program, to allow 10 points for the fourth time this season.
“During the TV timeout or whatever, they were talking a lot of trash,” Clemson linebacker Wade Woodaz said. “I was like, ‘All right. Go ahead. Keep talking.’ So, I was excited to get back out there.”
Amare Adams, Olsen Patt-Henry, Jahiem Lawson injury updates
Swinney announced freshman defensive tackle Amare Adams (ankle) and starting tight end Olsen Patt-Henry (patella tendon) both are out for the season. Adams was not available in Week 13, suffering his injury on Nov. 18 to miss his first career game. Patt-Henry suffered his injury in the first quarter against Furman.
Adams was a depth defensive tackle behind Peter Woods, DeMonte Capehart and Stephyilan Green. With Patt-Henry out, Josh Sapp, Christian Bentancur and freshman Logan Brooking will be featured more.
Swinney said edge rusher Jahiem Lawson suffered an ankle sprain in the third quarter. Swinney doesn’t anticipate Lawson’s injury to be long term, labeling him as “day to day.” Lawson was in the game when the rest of the defensive starters and key contributors were out.
“That’s on me. I should’ve gotten him out,” Swinney said.
Derrian Carter covers Clemson athletics for The Greenville News and the USA TODAY Network. Email him at dcarter@gannett.com and follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter, @DerrianCarter00
This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Dabo Swinney explains why Clemson starters re-entered game vs Furman
