Dabo Swinney gets emotional after home loss vs Syracuse

Clemson‘s disastrous start to the 2025 season continued on Saturday as it dropped to 1-3 following a disappointing 34-21 loss at home to Syracuse. The loss marked the first ever 1-3 start to a season for the Tigers under head coach Dabo Swinney.

Postgame, defensive back Aveion Terrell stood with arm around Swinney, who appeared to be emotional.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney emotional during the postgame alma mater after his team fell to 1-3 and 0-2 in the ACC with today’s loss to Syracuse (via @Cambology) pic.twitter.com/9ykaBEsVxn

— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) September 20, 2025

Swinney, who faced scrutiny for really the first time in his career last week following the 1-2 start, made headlines with a fiery quote earlier this week.

“I thrive in the battle, honestly. I have my whole life,” Swinney said. “Perspective is important. If they want me gone, they can send me on my way. If they’re tired of winning, they can send me on my way. I won’t stop. I’m 55. I’ll go somewhere else and win. I ain’t going to the beach.

“We’ve won this league eight of the last 10 years. Is that good? I’ve got a long memory in case y’all don’t know. This is a program that’s built to last. If you don’t believe in us after we lost just two games, you weren’t all in anyway. Hate to disappoint all the haters out there, but I have a long way to go, boys.”

Following Saturday’s loss, the Tigers fell to 1-3 and 0-2 in ACC play.

Syracuse’s offense gashed Clemson’s defense on Saturday

This game was projected to be a bounce back game for Clemson, but that however could not have been farther from the truth. Syracuse immediately took a 10-0 lead thanks to a 12-yard passing score from Angeli and a 23-yard field goal from kicker Tripp Woody.

Clemson bounced back with a beautiful 38-yard passing touchdown from Cade Klubnik to receiver Bryant Wesco near the end of the first quarter, but the Orange immediately poured on 14 more points to jump ahead 24-14 prior to a lengthy weather delay.

Coming out of the delay, Syracuse did not let up the scoring. Following another Woody field goal, backup quarterback Rickie Collins found Ross-Simmons for the 18-yard score to make it 34-14. Clemson cut it to a 13-point game with nine minutes remaining in the game, but its next two possessions ended in a Klubnik interception and a failed fourth-down attempt.