After being bypassed by the University of Clemson, Dabo Swinney spent six years as a graduate assistant to earn his law degree and follow in the footsteps of Tiger greats Frank Howard and Charlie Bauman. Now he is one of college football’s winningest coaches.
Dabo Swinney is the head coach of Clemson University. He was named ACC Coach of the Year in 2013 and 2015, and has led the team to three consecutive top-five finishes in the College Football Playoff rankings.
ORLANDO, FLORIDA – Dabo Swinney of Clemson became the sixth-fastest coach to achieve 150 wins in college football history. Following the No. 19 Tigers’ 20-13 victory against Iowa State in the Cheez-It Bowl on Wednesday night, he thanked his teammates.
“This team’s path was full with struggle, and we probably had more adversity this year than the previous seven combined,” Swinney said. Swinney became only the third coach in less than 15 seasons to win at least 150 games. “What made it amazing was how everyone in the program, especially the leadership, never flinched.”
“This was a full-fledged program… The fact that this squad didn’t make excuses was what set them apart.”
Clemson (10-3) won its sixth straight game to extend its winning streak to 11 games. Only Florida State (14 from 1987 to 2000) and Alabama (14 from 2008 to 21) have longer streaks.
Swinney joins Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops as the only coaches in college football history with at least 150 wins in fewer than 15 seasons at the helm. He led the Tigers to national titles in 2016 and 2018 and six consecutive College Football Playoff appearances. Swinney just finished his 14th season as the Tigers’ head coach.
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After returning an interception 18 yards for a score in the third quarter and slapping the ball out of Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy’s hands in the last minute to preserve the win, cornerback Mario Goodrich was voted the game’s MVP.
“It means a lot to everyone on this team since we started off 2-2 and to come back and win ten games is incredible,” Goodrich remarked. “It’s a heritage to keep the tradition alive. It’s incredible to play my last game with these people and end on a high note.”
In the second quarter, Will Shipley ran for a 12-yard score, B.T. Potter kicked two field goals, and the Clemson defense took care of the rest for the Tigers’ eighth bowl victory in the last ten seasons. The Tigers (7-6) kept the Cyclones (7-6) to three field goals in the first three quarters, despite losing All-ACC linebacker James Skalski to a foot injury in the second quarter.
With star tailback Breece Hall sidelined, Iowa State was restricted to only 270 yards and 14 first downs against a Clemson defense that entered the game ranked second in the country in scoring defense.
Iowa State lost four of its last six games of the season, and for the fourth year in a row, it was defeated in a bowl game. With 9:42 remaining, the Cyclones pulled within 20-13 on Andrew Mevis’ third field goal and Purdy’s 6-yard touchdown throw to Charlie Kolar.
Purdy, the school’s all-time leading passer, completed 22 of 39 throws for 204 yards, but his two interceptions — both by Clemson’s Goodrich — proved costly.
Iowa State coach Matt Campbell remarked, “A result doesn’t indicate what Brock Purdy has done for Iowa State football.” “He made a number of crucial plays that helped our side get back into the game. There has never been a more zealous rival in my experience who desired a different outcome (than Purdy). ‘Thank you for all you’ve done,’ Brock says.”
D.J. Uiagalelei, the Clemson quarterback, completed 21 of 32 passes for 187 yards. Clemson’s Shipley ended with 61 running yards and 53 receiving yards.
Clemson was limited to 315 yards by Iowa State’s defense, which entered the game ranked 10th in the country in total defense. It wasn’t enough, however, to give the Cyclones their first bowl win since 2017.
Iowa State safety Greg Eisworth II commented, “This game will live in my brain for the rest of my life.”
This article was written with the help of the Associated Press.
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Clemson’s Dabo Swinney became the sixth coach in NCAA Division I football history to lead a team to a national championship after the Tigers defeated Alabama 35-31. Reference: how many wins does dabo swinney have.
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