Just when you thought Clemson football was going to throw away an upset win on the road against No. 20 Louisville, some incredible luck arrived for the Tigers. In thrilling fashion, Clemson was able to get the job done late, as Louisville collapsed late in the action.
Louisville collapses in stunning 20-19 upset loss to Clemson
Think this win means a lot to Dabo Swinney? You bet it does. Entering this contest, Clemson was 4-5 on the year and people have been racing to get their shots in on this team throughout the fall. Not tonight, though, as Swinney had a clear message for everyone who has given up on the Tigers.
Dabo Swinney was overcome with emotion after Clemson took down Louisville
“The tougher it’s gotten, the closer they’ve become,” Swinney said. “The stronger they’ve gotten, the more they’ve dug in. That’s not normal, not in today’s world. That’s not normal. Usually when you have some adversity, you divide and people are looking for the sideline or the training room, but not these Tigers, not these seniors. That’s the freaking heart of a champion right there.
“A record doesn’t define you. How you respond is what defines you in everything. In life, in football. The record isn’t what we want it to be, but we have a hell of a great group of young men over there that just fought their butts off and gave every ounce of everything they had. A lot of people quit on them. Ain’t no quit in that bunch and ain’t no quit in me. Go Tigers.”
Those passionate words from Swinney came right after the final whistle, as he was downright fired up during his postgame interview with ESPN. Can you blame Swinney for being so jacked up? His 'ain't no quit in this bunch and ain't no quit in me' sure was telling.
It felt like Swinney's way of responding to people who have even been calling for him to get fired due to the rough campaign for Clemson in 2025. Again, it felt like Clemson was going to blow it, as a botched snap on a punt put things on a platter for Louisville to kick a game-winning field goal late in the 4th quarter.
Instead, a ridiculous penalty pushed Louisville back 15 yards and their attempt to win the game sailed wide of the uprights. No one was more relieved than Swinney and now his team is 5-5 on the year. Has it been the kind of campaign we envisioned for the Tigers? Not at all, but as Swinney noted, this team won't stop fighting and the Tigers just ended any hope Louisville had to potentially sneak into the College Football Playoff.