'Unbelievable Game': Dabo Swinney gives props to Kentucky

Some might call the 2023 Gator Bowl at EverBank Stadium an instant classic. The contest between Clemson and Kentucky had everything from big special teams plays, to turnovers, late lead changes, and numerous explosive plays. The 40,132 in attendance in Jacksonville were certainly entertained on Friday afternoon.

After claiming the one-possession win, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney called it a game that neither side deserved to lose.

“Just unbelievable game. You’ve got to give Kentucky a ton of credit. It’s one of those games nobody really deserves to lose,” Swinney told the media after the game. “Just a lot of fight and heart on both sides.”

“Just an awesome job by Coach [Mark] Stoops and those kids battling. We just found a way to make one more play. I think it was, like, five lead changes. I think it’s the biggest comeback maybe for us ever in a bowl game. Twenty-eight points. Maybe the most in a fourth quarter ever.”

In a 42-point outburst in the fourth quarter, we saw five lead changes. Each defense created at least one takeaway in the final period. Cade Klubnik and Devin Leary each made some big throws. Barion Brown and Phil Mafah looked like pros. Kentucky is way past the point of moral victories and this season will go down as a disappointment, but Stoops saw his team lay it all on the line in the postseason.

“Kentucky is a tough team, man. Physical bunch. Again, made some plays, but that’s back-to-back SEC wins for us. I think our guys deserve a little credit for the toughness that they displayed mentally and physically”, Swinney said. “Had to overcome a lot of adversity in that game, but that’s a ninth win for us.”

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