CLEMSON \u2014 There was a time when Clemson embodied what Miami is now.<\/p>\n
Between 2015 and 2024, the Tigers won eight ACC championships, including six in a row from 2015-2020. Dabo Swinney leading his roster to double-digit wins and the postseason was basically a forgone conclusion. It used to be Clemson that went in to ACC road games as the favorite and handled business with relative ease.<\/p>\n
Clemon\u2019s record against ranked opponents in recent years shows how times have changed.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s been a gradual decline since the loss to Ohio State in the 2020 College Football Playoff semifinal. In the six seasons since, Clemson is 9-10 against ranked opponents and 2-6 since 2024.<\/p>\n
Clemson\u2019s 51-10 loss to No. 11 LSU was an indicator on its own, but after winning three straight games in the weeks following, Swinney and Clemson looked to write it off as a bump in a long road to eventual success.<\/p>\n
The Tigers\u2019 41-13 loss<\/a> to No. 4 Miami \u2014 a program they once dominated in the previous decade \u2014 on Oct. 3 was a symbolic passing of the baton from Clemson to the \u2018Canes, as the Tigers search for their place somewhere between the middle of the ACC and the top of college football.<\/p>\n \u201cWe’re a work in progress,\u201d Swinney said. \u201cBut the season ain’t over. We got a long way to go.\u201d<\/p>\n Clemson has seven more games in 2026 to make the climb from its current standing.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Clemson quarterback Tait Reynolds discusses the 41-13 loss to Miami, how the Tigers can move forward.<\/p>\n Jackson Castellano\/Staff
Clemson\u2019s 350 total yards of offense and 22 first downs in the loss would typically indicate a team that scored more than 13 points. But the Tigers consistently found themselves not finishing drives after solid starts on Saturday. Thirty-seven percent of Clemson\u2019s offensive plays were run in Miami\u2019s half of the field, but the team only produced three scoring drives in 12 opportunities.<\/p>\n The shortcomings were in part due to a 9 for 21 conversion rate on third and fourth downs and four offensive penalties, two of them pre-snap and within 10 yards of the goal line.<\/p>\n \u201cThose are game-changing opportunities that you have to cash in on to give yourself a chance to win games like that, and we did not,\u201d Swinney said.<\/p>\n Getting tricky<\/p>\n Maybe Clemson\u2019s biggest missed opportunity of the game came right after halftime.<\/p>\n Down 17-6, the Tigers had forced three straight scoreless drives from Miami and were driving down the field to the opposing 18-yard line.<\/p>\n Clemson faced third down with two yards to gain. It ran a fake jet sweep run with quarterback-turned-wide receiver Chris Denson for no gain. On fourth down, Swinney said Clemson decided to go for it because the offense needed a touchdown.<\/p>\n Offensive coordinator Chad Morris drew up a trick play where freshman QB Tait Reynolds faked confusion and a discussion off toward the sideline while running back Gideon Davidson ran on a direct snap. He gained one yard, and Clemson turned the ball over.<\/p>\n The sequence was the latest in a handful of failed trickery for Clemson this season. The Tigers threw an interception on a flea-flicker against Cal and failed to convert a two-point attempt vs. North Carolina on a double pass.<\/p>\n \u201cYou can second guess all of it. If we make it, it’s a great decision,\u201d Swinney said. \u201cIf you don’t, it’s bad.\u201d<\/p>\n Defense holds up with little help<\/p>\n Despite the final score, Clemson\u2019s defense did well to hold off Miami\u2019s offense, which is one of the most prolific units in the country.<\/p>\n The Hurricanes\u2019 419 yards was below its average of 588.8. Miami\u2019s 17 first-half points was the lowest mark all season. Two late touchdowns \u2014 a punch-in run from RB Mark Fletcher after a grueling drive and a pick-six thrown by Reynolds \u2014 made it a worse margin than the Tigers defense was actually responsible for. Miami\u2019s star receiver Malachi Toney was held to five catches for 40 yards.<\/p>\n \u201cWe embraced it. \u2026 I love these big-time games and big-time matchups,\u201d Clemson defensive back Ashton Hampton said. \u201cI feel like I did OK. I definitely could be a lot better.\u201d<\/p>\n The defense\u2019s two worst plays were consequential, giving up a 61-yard touchdown on a screen pass in Miami\u2019s opening drive and later allowing QB Darian Mensah to scramble (and fumble) his way to a 34-yard score.<\/p>\n Swinney said it came down to Clemson\u2019s offense not being able to convert on opportunities the defense opened up.<\/p>\n \u201cWe played some really good, compounding football,\u201d Swinney said. \u201cWe had a couple really big layup-type opportunities, and we didn’t make them.\u201d<\/p>\n Reynolds\u2019 best game not enough<\/p>\n
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\n Missed opportunities<\/p>\n