Clemson's Swinney looking for win

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Dabo Swinney's kissed the Rock and walked among fans. He's taken his players to a children's hospital and romped with students at practice. Now, Clemson's interim coach has another task in mind: winning.

Unbridled enthusiasm like Swinney's two-armed hug and kiss of Howard's Rock before the Georgia Tech game on Oct. 18 can only last so long and Swinney knows that better than anyone.

``There's no excuses here, this is Clemson,'' Swinney said Tuesday. ``This place was built on winning.''

The Tigers (3-4, 1-3 Atlantic Coast Conference) have lost three in a row, their longest such streak since 2005. The slide was devastating to the program, as longtime coach Tommy Bowden stepped aside.

Swinney was handed the job of revitalizing the Tigers just five days before facing the Yellow Jackets. So he concentrated on the emotional, holding a team Tiger Walk among fans before the game that left him and players choked up and red-eyed.

When Georgia Tech rallied for a 21-17 victory, Swinney said he didn't give a ``rat's tail'' about the scoreboard that week.

That attitude will change in November.

Since only one of Clemson's two victories over Football Championship Subdivision opponents will count toward its bowl eligibility, the Tigers have to win four of their final five simply to be able to play in December.

That's a disastrous situation for a team picked in the preseason as the ACC's favorite.

How did Clemson get here? Swinney thinks it's in the team's heads.

He says somewhere during the offseason, the Tigers lost their fiery conviction that they would make game-winning plays and not opponents.

Swinney compared his team to a tricked-out car. Despite its style, it doesn't get you anywhere.

``Somewhere along the way, we caught a flat tire. We're low on gas,'' the coach said.

After an off week, Clemson returns to action at Boston College, which is 3-0 against the Tigers since joining the ACC.

``It's a great opportunity for me, but nobody said it was going to be easy,'' Swinney said.

So far, Swinney likes what he's seen of his players' effort and commitment level.

The week off helped heal the injuries and the mindsets of many on the team, quarterback Cullen Harper said. Part of that, Harper said, is Swinney.

``He makes it fun out there at practice,'' he said. ``He re-energizes us.''
The Tigers will need that energy. The offense, which set a school record for points scored a year ago, is 11th in ACC games.

Clemson's top two quarterbacks were injured in the Georgia Tech loss. Harper, who had been benched by Bowden, underwent surgery on his nonthrowing shoulder the next day.

Willie Korn started and played less than a quarter, knocked out with a bone bruise in his throwing shoulder.

Harper returned to practice two days after the surgery and is expected to start against the Eagles. The more mobile Korn is recovering and could also play.

Another plus for the Tigers is the possible return of speedy tailback C.J. Spiller, who missed most of the last two games with a hamstring pull.

Spiller felt strong at practice and wants to be a factor on Saturdays again. He also knows what he could mean to the Tigers and their coach. ``I think coach Swinney would love a win,'' Spiller said. ``We all would.''