It wasn’t all that way back that Clemson was considered as one of many elite applications in faculty soccer.
The No. 25 Tigers now not look so ferocious and can attempt to bounce again from a season-opening beatdown after they host Appalachian State on Saturday night time.
Clemson (0-1) was dismantled 34-3 by No. 1 Georgia in Week 1. The 31-point shellacking was this system’s worst since a 51-14 rout by Florida State in 2013.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney has fiercely rejected the usage of the switch portal, a device that just about each program makes use of to drag in gamers who can plug holes at positions.
Some observers are pointing to that philosophy for why Clemson has fallen from a program that received 14 or extra video games 4 occasions in a five-season span from 2015-19, together with two nationwide championships. Final season, the Tigers’ streak of 12 straight 10-win seasons was snapped.
“Persons are going to say no matter they wish to say,” Swinney mentioned. “It does not matter. Does not matter what I say. … However we do what’s greatest for Clemson 12 months in and 12 months out.
“Whenever you lose like this, they obtained each proper to say no matter they wish to say. So say no matter you wish to say, write no matter you wish to write. That comes with it. It is simply a part of it.”
Clemson was outgained 447-188 by Georgia and managed simply 46 yards on the bottom.
Quarterback Cade Klubnik was 18-of-29 passing for 142 yards and one interception. Nevertheless, Swinney mentioned Tuesday that Klubnik wasn’t the explanation why the Tigers misplaced the sport.
“He gave us loads of alternatives that we did not make the most of,” Swinney mentioned. “Sadly, once you play the No. 1 staff within the nation, you are not going to get a whole lot of alternatives.”
The Tigers now will search for huge enchancment as they search to win their twenty first consecutive residence opener.
Appalachian State (1-0) drubbed FCS program East Tennessee State 38-10 in its opener final week and has been identified to ship upsets.
This system’s greatest stunner got here when it was an FCS program, because it prevailed 34-32 over No. 5 Michigan on the Massive Home in 2007.
In 2019, the Mountaineers received highway video games at each North Carolina (34-31 rating) and South Carolina (20-15). Two seasons in the past, Appalachian State received 17-14 at No. 6 Texas A&M.
Due to these accomplishments, Mountaineers coach Shawn Clark is assured his gamers may have no bother taking part in at Clemson’s Loss of life Valley.
“It may be a hostile setting, probably the greatest atmospheres in all of school soccer,” Clark mentioned. “They’ve a really passionate fan base like ours. We have been in these conditions earlier than, so the second will not be too large for our gamers.”
Appalachian State will want a giant sport from standout quarterback Joey Aguilar whether it is to slay the Tigers. Aguilar set college single-season data of three,757 passing yards and 33 passing touchdowns final season.
He began this season with 326 yards and two touchdowns within the air towards East Tennessee whereas including two dashing scores.
Clark is assuaging strain on his gamers by saying there is no distinction within the preparations for opponents.
“This sport just isn’t going to be any greater than the ETSU sport,” Clark mentioned. “We now have a job at hand. We now have to organize our highest to have an opportunity to win. Our coaches are excited, and our children will likely be able to play.”
Clemson has received all 5 earlier conferences between the groups, outscoring Appalachian State 186-29. The Tigers rolled to a 41-10 residence victory in the latest matchup in 2015.
–Subject Stage Media
