Dabo Swinney on Clemson's slow start in Gator Bowl: 'We're just settling in'

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney joined ESPN following the first quarter of Friday’s Gator Bowl matchup against Kentucky. The Tigers were trailing 7-3 at the time after a 22-yard touchdown run by Kentucky receiver Barion Brown on a reverse.

Swinney discussed what he wants to see from his team the rest of the afternoon after the slow start.

“Well, we’re just settling in, both sides,” Dabo Swinney said. “They had one big play there where we missed a tackle in the hole and then got reached on the reverse there, but you know, we’ll settle in. We’ve had a couple of good drives, flipped the field right there. So it’s a big third-and-2 for us right here, see if we can finish this thing.”

Clemson did not convert the third-and-2, but the Tigers did force a three-and-out by Kentucky on the next possession for the Wildcats.

As expected, it was a defensive struggle early on. Kentucky had 96 yards in the first quarter, while Clemson had only 58.

Clemson entered the Gator Bowl with an 8-4 record. The Tigers were 4-4 at one point in the season, before winning four consecutive games to close out the regular season.

Kentucky entered Friday’s game with a 7-5 record. The Wildcats had an up-and-down year but closed out the regular season with an impressive win over Louisville in their rivalry game.

Clemson, Kentucky coaches, players involved in pregame dustup before Gator Bowl

Things got a little heated before the start of the Gator Bowl between Clemson and Kentucky.

Tigers defensive tackles coach Nick Eason and a Kentucky staff member had to be separated prior to kickoff, according to David Hood.

Jon Hale added additional context on what exactly happened.

“Officials trying to prevent a skirmish here in early warmups at the Gator Bowl. Barion Brown, Maxwell Hairston among UK players exchanging words with Clemson players at midfield. Vince Marrow also trying to diffuse the situation,” Jon Hale posted.

Clemson and Kentucky are facing off for the first time since 2009 when the Tigers won the Music City Bowl. Kentucky holds the all-time edge in the series at 8-5 entering Saturday’s Gator Bowl.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney and Kentucky coach Mark Stoops praised each other leading up to Friday’s game. But that didn’t prevent there being a skirmish beforehand.

Stoops had this to say about Swinney and the Clemson program earlier this month:

“I have a lot of respect for him and what he has done,” said Stoops. “I wouldn’t say personally that well but you can’t help but feel like you know him. He has been on a big stage there for a long time. He has done very well.”

Dabo Swinney made similar comments about Kentucky and Stoops during bowl prep.