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Clemson

DJ Uiagalelei breaks down what went wrong against Syracuse, how he can improve

On3-Social-Profile_GRAYby:On3 Staff Report•11/01/22
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Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei attempts to evade defenders in a win over Boston College on Oct. 8, 2022. (Maddie Malhotra / Getty Images)

Coming off a tough 27-21 win over Syracuse, No. 4 Clemson gets little reprieve, having to go on the road to face a much-improved Notre Dame team. Quarterback DJ Uiagalelei wasn’t his sharpest against the Orange, and he’ll need to get back on track.

The junior quarterback analyzed what went wrong in his roughest game of the season.

“I think the biggest thing was decision-making,” Uiagalelei said. “I feel like there was some decisions that I should have never made, put balls in jeopardy. Be able to have them picked, I think that was the biggest thing, just decision-making.”

The Clemson quarterback finished the game 13-of-21 passing for just 138 yards, failing to throw a touchdown pass for the first time this season while throwing two interceptions.

He was eventually lifted for freshman Cade Klubnik, who provided the spark the Tigers needed late in the game to come out on top.

But coach Dabo Swinney has stuck with his veteran starter, confident Uiagalelei can watch the tape and iron out the kinks.

“I feel like I figured out what I did wrong, the stuff I could work on, be able to improve that to make sure that doesn’t happen again,” Uiagalelei said. “I feel like I’ve definitely moved on from that and just excited about playing against Notre Dame.”

DJ Uiagalelei ready to move on from Syracuse loss

The one thing the experienced Clemson quarterback reiterated this week when discussing the Syracuse game is that he doesn’t want to let it linger.

He’s had a full bye week to process, but Uiagalelei didn’t even spend that much time rehashing the mistakes in his first multi-interception game in almost a full calendar entire year (one day shy).

“Sunday you go back and watch the game,” Uiagalelei said. “For me, you go back and watch the game and you worry about the game then. Then after that you just go on and move on for the next game and worry about the present time, worry about today and all you can do today and just continue to put your best foot forwad each and every day.”

Uiagalelei will get his chance to bounce back on Saturday night. Clemson and Notre Dame are scheduled for a 7:30 kickoff on NBC.