Dabo Swinney on loss to Notre Dame: 'This was an ass kicking'

SOUTH BEND, Indiana — Clemson coach Dabo Swinney did not make excuses or point to missed opportunities when discussing his team’s loss to Notre Dame Saturday night.

“This was an ass kicking. Period,” Swinney said. “I mean that’s what it is. Just flat out got our tails handed to us. In 14 years it hasn’t happened a lot, but it’s happened a couple of times.”

The Tigers struggled on both sides of the line of scrimmage as Notre Dame had its way with the Clemson offensive line and defensive line in the 35-14 victory.

The Irish outrushed Clemson 263 to 90. Notre Dame had two running backs finish with more rushing yards than Clemson’s entire team.

It was a disappointing performance by a Clemson defensive line that was viewed as arguably the best in the nation entering the season.

“I don’t even wanna comment on it right now,” Swinney said of the struggles stopping the run. “They just physically kicked our butt. Period. The end.”

Notre Dame won 35-14, despite only finishing with 87 passing yards.

Clemson trailed 28-0 in the fourth quarter, before scoring a couple of late touchdowns.

DJ Uiagalelei responded from getting benched in the third quarter to finish 27-for-39 passing for 191 yards and a touchdown.

“I was proud of the offense, at least. I thought they kept competing down to the end. It was good to see them keep battling and competing,” Dabo Swinney said. “That was about the only positive. They didn’t quit. They hung in there. They tried to go fight and score, but I didn’t do enough to help them tonight as a team.”

Still, it wasn’t nearly enough as Notre Dame dominated in all three phases.

In addition to owning the line of scrimmage, the Irish also blocked a punt in the first quarter and returned it for a touchdown.

Notre Dame was off and running and never looked back.

“Sometimes you just have a night where it all goes against you and all you can do is give Notre Dame credit for that,” Swinney said.