Clemson secures huge 31-23 upset win over No. 12 Notre Dame… days after $10million coach Dabo Swinney blew up at a disgruntled Tigers fan on the radio
- Dabo Swinney called a Clemson Tigers a “smart kid” on his radio show
- Swinney passed the late Frank Howard in all-time Clemson wins with 166
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Days after Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney attacked a fan who questioned his $10 million salary, his team responded with a huge win.
The Tigers (5-4) upset No. 12 Notre Dame 31-23 to end a disheartening two-game losing streak on Saturday as Phil Mafah ran for a career-high 186 yards and two touchdowns.
The win came after Swinney was criticized by “Tyler from Spartanburg,” a caller on his radio show who was unhappy with the team’s problems this season.
Swinney told the fan he was “part of the problem” and called him a “smart kid.”
‘Is this a bad year? Yes, and it’s my responsibility,” Swinney said. ‘Take full responsibility for it.
‘But all that nonsense you think, all those stories you read. Listen, man, you can voice your opinion all you want, and you can apply for the job. And good luck to you.’
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts as the Tigers celebrate after a 31-23 win
Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) scores a touchdown after an interception
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers hugs Swinney during an on-field interview
Swinney was rewarded with a 10-year contract worth $115 million after leading the school to two national championships.
And his team looked closer to that level on Saturday when they defeated the Fighting Irish with strong offensive line play and a swarming defense.
Mafah ran for scores of 41 and 1 yard, the latter putting Clemson ahead 31-16 in the third quarter.
Notre Dame pulled within one score on Sam Hartman’s 26-yard scramble score.
That’s when Clemson’s special teams and defense closed things down. Four plays after that, the Tigers knocked down punts at the Notre Dame 15 — including a nifty quick kick from quarterback Cade Klubnik — and the Irish (7-3, No. 15 CFP) could never get out of the hole.
Notre Dame had one last chance when Mafah fumbled with 1:47 to go on his own 22. After a first down, Hartman threw four incompletions to give the ball back to the Tigers with 58 seconds left.
Clemson ran out the clock and provided a celebration for Death Valley fans who have had little to cheer about this season.
Swinney, meanwhile, finally got past the late Frank Howard in the all-time Clemson win at 166 after missing his first two chances to take the lead.