Just days after Clemson’s heartbreaking 23-17 overtime loss at No. 1 Florida State, Dabo Swinney joined The David Glenn Show to discuss the game and talk all things Tigers football.
During the game, Clemson faced a 4th-and-1 situation from the 16-yard line in overtime. Tigers kicker Ammon Lakip was 1-of-3 on field goals earlier in the game with one of the misses coming from 23 yards, and the team decided to go for it rather than send Lakip out. Running back Adam Choice was stopped at the line of scrimmage on the following play, and the Seminoles scored on the next drive to win the game.
In his interview with The David Glenn Show, Swinney was asked who makes the decision to go for it in those situations.
“There’s only one person that’s going to make that decision, and that’s me,” Swinney said.
The 44-year-old coach also said that Lakip’s struggles earler in the game factored into his decision.
“I wasn’t going to let it come down to a third missed field goal when it’s fourth-and-a-foot. I felt like we could get a foot, and I like the confidence of our guys, and if I could do it over again, I’d do it over again.”
Swinney stated that Lakip is the team’s “most talented guy” at kicker but said that his ability hasn’t yet translated from the practice field to road games.
Click below to hear the full clip: