Clemson Tigers News: Duke fallout and can you smell what Joyce Turner is cooking?

Good morning Clemson Nation! Here is today’s Clemson Tigers News.

Today’s Games

Clemson Volleyball vs Winthrop: 4:00 PM in Gainesville, Florida

Clemson Women’s Soccer vs Arkansas: 7:00 PM at Historic Riggs Field

Clemson Football transitioning from Duke to Charleston Southern and the rest of the season

Several players met with the media yesterday, including center Will Putnam. He had this to say about the loss to Duke Monday and how it is shaping their thinking moving forward.

This is the kind of thinking a player has to have. There are more games to play, and the season isn’t over. If there wasn’t a problem thinking 15-0, there isn’t a problem thinking 14-1. Fans and pundits can decide if it is realistic, but their opinion shouldn’t mean anything to Putnam or the players.

Especially the opinions of known Gamecock homers like Brad Crawford.

Coach Swinney met with the media as well. He was asked about the wide receivers, and his answer might not satisfy some Clemson fans:

"“I did not watch a single game across the country where there were not some drops. I did not watch a single game. Yes, we caught the ball well. Yeah, we had a couple of critical drops. We had one third-and-eight there with Antonio [Williams] on a competitive play.”“Again, we threw for 200-plus (yards). For our first game, we did a lot of good things. I thought Beaux Collins played outstanding.”"

I understand why some fans would be frustrated by those statements, but I see this no differently than Putnam’s perspective on going 14-1. Swinney’s priority is to put his players in the best position possible. They have eleven more games to play, and a coach’s priority should be doing what is necessary to help them regain confidence and improve.

Joyce Turner puts Big Dave in his place

Everyone is entitled to an opinion on Clemson’s transfer portal philosophy. Being entitled to an opinion doesn’t mean its a good opinion or you aren’t looking foolish for expressing it.

DJ Uiagalelei’s father decided to exercise his entitlement Wednesday. Nolan and Cole Turner’s mother explained why it was foolish.

Many have the opinion that Swinney should use the portal. That opinion from Big Dave is foolish, as Tiger Illustrated’s Larry Williams explained quite well.