Dabo Swinney on late-game targeting during Cade Klubnik slide: 'They made the right call'

Clemson had an opportunity to get back in the game late against Duke in Monday night’s showdown in Durham. The Tigers trailed 21-7 with 8:22 to play and lined up for a 4th and 5 that had major implications on the rest of the game.

Cade Klubnik ran it himself and took a hit as he slid. However, the hit came after he started his slide, and the officials ruled it a dead-ball penalty and — after the refs assessed the 15-yard penalty and ejected Cam Dillon — the ball went to Duke.

The reaction on social media was swift, wondering how a team that committed a targeting penalty could get the ball back. But by rule, Klubnik was down as soon as he started his slide. And Dabo Swinney knew it.

“They didn’t pick the flag up. The flag counted,” Swinney said. “They made the right call. Absolutely, that’s a learning situation for Cade. He’s got to get the first down, and he easily could have gotten the first down. But the rule is, once you start your slide, you’re down. He started his slide just a little short. So he’s down and the penalty — it’s a dead ball penalty, 15 yards, their ball. But it’s an after-the-play penalty. They made the right call.”

Dabo Swinney: Cade Klubnik had some ‘learning stuff’ in first career start vs. Duke

Duke went three-and-out on the ensuing drive, meaning the Tigers still had at least a little bit of life before a Klubnik interception led to a Blue Devils scoring drive for the exclamation point on the 28-7 victory.

But that play showed something about Klubnik. Despite the hype and chatter about what he can do for the Clemson offense, it was still his first career start. That’s why Swinney again said he had more learning to do, but it doesn’t take away from Klubnik’s talent.

“Listen, Cade’s going to be a great player,” Swinney said. “He certainly has some learning stuff from tonight. And that’s one that, hopefully, he’ll file away for not just his time here, but the rest of his career playing football. Hopefully, that’s something that he’ll really, really learn from. That’s situational awareness.”

It wasn’t the start to the season Swinney, Klubnik or the Tigers imagined after coming in to the game ranked No. 9 in the country, but they’ll have a chance to right the ship in Week 2. Clemson will return home to take on Charleston Southern Sept. 9 at 2:15 p.m. ET.