Dabo Swinney is embracing all sorts of new things this year. He effectively used the transfer portal to reignite the passion in his defense. While playing a late night kick at Cal may have bothered him years ago, Swinney did not seem overly fazed by the opportunity to get an ACC road win. More importantly, he has learned that something good can happen to his players after midnight: a road victory over Cal.
"I don't even know what time it is. We're just happy to get the win -- and hopefully, somebody stayed up back home to watch it. ACC after midnight, right?" Swinney said on ESPN postgame. Before jogging off the field, Swinney left us with this great zinger. "All my former players, I used to tell them nothing good happens after midnight -- except when you come out here and win a football game."
It was easy for Swinney to be all smiles after the game. After all, Clemson largely dominated Cal to the tune of 24-10 to improve to 3-1 on the season and 2-0 in ACC play. For the most part, his team finally put it all together. Whatever transpired in the first week of the season at LSU appears to be no more. This team still has a long way to go, but it is rapidly improving and playing with so much confidence.
Dabo leans back in to add this before he jogs off: "All my former players, I used to tell them nothing good happens after midnight -- except when you come out here and win a football game. That's it. Go Tigers" https://t.co/WeiaxzORTj
— Chapel Fowler (@chapelfowler) September 26, 2026
It took a late night road win at Cal for Clemson to return to vintage form
It is still incredibly early into the season. However, there does seem to be a growing belief within this team. Not to say they had a come to Jesus meeting in the immediate aftermath of the 41-point road loss to LSU, but this year might be different than the last. To put it simply, Swinney's team actually has grit to it this season. It is willing to get uncomfortable, if that makes the position feel even more so.
To win on the road like this, with that level of conviction, and making that kind of a grand statement is powerful. Clemson is learning on the fly and growing up before our very eyes. While the home game versus Miami next week looms large, do not try to tell Swinney that his team does not have a chance at pulling off the upset. This is a team that plays together, one where the sum is greater than its parts.
In a way, this does feel like vintage Clemson under Swinney in some capacities. It now takes a full 60 minutes to beat Clemson. Last year, this team crumbled at the first sign of adversity. Now, the team almost seems to embrace it. Frankly, this will serve the Tigers as the season moves along. While it may not be enough to hold off Miami next week, Clemson has a decent shot at winning 10 games.
Right now, Swinney is so fortunate to have an emerging defense he can lean on, while he does his best to help get the offense going. Again, there have been more positives than negatives with this team of late. With the ACC wide open beyond that of Miami, there is a non-zero chance that Clemson might get a shot at redemption with the Hurricanes later in Charlotte. Of course, it can win in Week 5.
It all comes back to Swinney embracing every new challenge that is thrown at his team this season.
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