Clemson’s Dabo Swinney Prepares for Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day Against The Citadel
CLEMSON, S.C. — The No. 17 Clemson Tigers, with an 8-2 record and 7-1 in the ACC, are gearing up to wrap up their regular season. Their last home game will be against The Citadel this Saturday, followed by an important matchup against the 19th-ranked South Carolina on November 30. This year’s Palmetto Bowl is particularly exciting as it marks the first time since 2013 that both teams will meet while ranked.
As Clemson celebrates Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day, Coach Dabo Swinney took time in his weekly press conference to honor the team’s seniors. “We’ve got a great group of seniors that are coming to the end of their careers here,” Swinney stated. He emphasized the importance of recognizing their contributions both individually and as a group next week during their final home game.
Military Appreciation Day holds special significance for Swinney, who described it as "one of my favorite days of the year." He expressed admiration for The Citadel and its head coach, Maurice Drayton. Reflecting on a past visit, Swinney shared that he had the opportunity to speak to cadets at The Citadel, calling it one of the coolest experiences of his career.
Coach Drayton also shared a touching moment from when he was an assistant at Coastal Carolina. He recounted a visit to Clemson with his son, Montrel, who was facing health challenges at that time. Montrel, a fan of Clemson, had a memorable experience that Swinney and the team helped create.
As the Tigers prepare for their game against The Citadel, injury concerns pose a challenge for the team. They lost new starting left tackle Elyjah Thurmon to a season-ending ankle injury during the last game. Swinney reported that nine offensive linemen were absent from practice, including key players like Tristan Leigh and Marcus Tate. "It’s been a tough deal, but we’ll figure it out. We’ve got no excuses," he said.
Additionally, Swinney announced that wide receiver Troy Stellato will undergo surgery due to a torn thumb, ending his season. Stellato had been a crucial player, ranking fourth on the team in receptions.
Looking ahead, Clemson has a chance to achieve a remarkable milestone by earning their ninth win this season, which would make them only the fourth program to win at least nine games in 14 consecutive seasons, joining prominent teams like Nebraska, Alabama, and Florida State. The game against The Citadel is set to kick off at 3:30 PM on The CW Network.
