Tigers Lost Their First Game in 20 Games

CLEMSON—The No. 2 Clemson Tigers lost their first game in their last 20 games last week when they took on the North Carolina Tar Heels.

Even though the scoreboard showed a one-point Tiger win over the Tar Heels, according to head coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers lost the game within the game—to the themselves.

"To be honest with you, we did lose to Clemson but we won the game," Swinney said. "We don't have to play perfect to win but we need to play well. We have to play cleaner."

Swinney admits that the Tigers did not play their best football game of the season at Chapel Hill. But even in the midst of admitting that his Tigers lost, Swinney did not want anyone to take anything away from the performance of the Tar Heels.

"We did not play well at North Carolina on either side of the ball. Just too many mistakes," Swinney said. "We turned the ball over and gave up field position, we had a bunch of penalties and got very little going from a rhythm standpoint, things we can control. North Carolina had a good plan, played clean, played tough, so you have to give them credit. They milked the clock, too. It was a good formula for them."

The Tigers may not be able to withstand another loss this season because another loss to themselves may mean an actual loss—that would end their hopes of a fifth straight trip to the playoffs and their hopes of a second straight national championship.

"We can't lose to Clemson," Swinney said. "That one game in Chapel Hill was not indicative of our season, so the guys were eager to get back to work. We're really young, but we've got good leadership."