It was more of the same for Dabo Swinney and Clemson on Saturday night.
The Tigers had high hopes for 2026 after sinking to 7-6 a year ago, but they aren’t off to a good start in Baton Rouge. Clemson took an initial 3-0 lead over LSU, but then gave up 31 unanswered points before halftime.
Clemson’s offense was completely rudderless after getting a field goal on its first drive thanks to good field position from a Sam Leavitt interception. Quarterback Christopher Vizzina threw for 51 yards and an INT on 11 attempts. Running back Gideon Davidson mustered just 8 yards on 5 carries.
Defensively, Leavitt was the star of the show with 129 passing yards and 100 rushing yards in the first half. Running back Dilin Jones also had a standout half, rushing for 91 yards and a score.
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Issues on both sides of the ball, of course, fall to the head coach. Swinney has more national titles than any active coach besides Kirby Smart, but his Clemson program has taken a steep drop off in recent years.
Saturday night’s showing in Baton Rouge seems to indicate that Clemson’s descent has not yet finished. Here’s the best of the reaction to Swinney’s nightmare half in Death Valley:
Spenser is a news editor for Saturday Down South and covers college football across all Saturday Football brands.
