The Clemson Tigers are 4-3 on the season after suffering a 20-16 Week 8 loss to the Virginia Tech Hokies. While the team didn't play all that well on Saturday, there was a controversial moment where officials waved off wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr.'s catch late in the contest that would have turned out to be a favorable play for the Tigers. It's safe to say that Dabo Swinney was not happy with those calls.
The 56-year-old head coach went on a little rant during his postgame press conference, ripping the officials for allegedly not getting the call right despite having time to rewatch the play, according to Chapel Fowler of The State Newspaper. While Swinney was upset with the call, he ultimately took full ownership of the loss.
“They said he didn't possess it, so that's what happened,” Swinney said. On the refs: “They were very visible. They had a lot of TV time tonight, but we didn't control what we needed to control… It's disturbing that we didn't do some of the routine stuff well and frustrating because we didn't do enough to help them as coaches.
“We've got a resilient group of guys, an amazing group of young people that are encouraging me. … We'll regroup,” Swinney continued. Says that although you “may have to shift some of your (season) goals” now, their No. 1 goal is still to just win the next one.
Article Continues Below“Clemson coach Dabo Swinney says the fact they've lost so much at home recently ‘bothers me' and hurts a little extra,” Fowler wrote on X. “Dabo: ‘But we'll turn it around.'”
The public seemingly thought the officiating for the Virginia Tech-Clemson game was a bit sloppy as well. While the veteran head coach wasn't happy with some of the calls, Dabo Swinney does appear ready to put the game in the rearview mirror and focus on the schedule ahead. The Tigers move on to Week 9, where the team will face off against the Florida State Seminoles on the road.