Dabo Swinney pleased with run game, disappointed in offensive production

The Clemson offense is officially a work in progress. Through three games, the Tigers have scored just two touchdowns against FBS opponents.

Tigers coach Dabo Swinney does not want to hit code red. But it is concerning. While the Clemson defense is performing at an elite level, the offense is holding it back from being a legitimate College Football Playoff contender.

Georgia Tech gave the Tigers fits on Saturday, dropping up to eight men back into coverage and only rushing three. Even then, Clemson struggled to establish a pass rush. The Tigers finished with just 284 total yards and 158 rushing yards Saturday at Death Valley.

“You got to run the football, you got to run the ball,” Swinney said in his postgame press conference. “We just didn’t finish. They’re just making us put drives together. But you got to come away with a field goal or touchdown, and if we get 10 points, the game’s over in a game like that.

“Now you’re taking time off the clock and not getting points, that’s a double-edged sword. Just frustrating.”

Clemson needs to get back to fundamentals

The Tigers had possession of the ball for nearly 30 minutes on Saturday, but the result was just two touchdowns. And turnover problems continue to linger for Clemson, such as D.J. Uiagalelei’s fumble early in the fourth quarter.

“Fundamentals, it’s just fundamentals,” Swinney said. “Again, it’s one of those things I went over last week with D.J. We had a nice play last week, and he’s going to his left, and the ball is in his right arm. When you got’s the ball, you’re exposed. It’s just a little habit for him we have to get him out of, as opposed to putting the ball over here and have a hand to protect the ball a little bit. It’s just fundamentals. We’ve had some exchange issues with Will, a dropped snap.”

“Hopefully we can grow out of turning the ball over and some of these crazy penalties and just finish some of these drives.”

Clemson has a youth movement on its team right now. True freshman running back Will Shipley is the No. 1 running back after Lyn-J Dixon was expected to be the starter. The Tigers offensive line has struggled in the opening three games of the season, especially on full display in the loss to Georgia in the season opener.

And while the Tigers struggle, teams continue to rise. After Saturday’s performance, they dropped to No. 9 in the latest AP top-25 poll.