Swinney Says Tigers’ Turnovers Have To Stop

CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) — There’s little mystery behind Clemson’s recent problems and coach Dabo Swinney said the fix is just as simple: Cut down on mistakes. “You want some grand answer?” Swinney said Tuesday of Clemson’s issues. “It’s 11 turnovers in three games.” The Tigers (9-2) led the nation in fewest turnovers with just six during their 8-0 start. But they’ve been extremely error prone the past three games, resulting in losses to Georgia Tech (two interceptions, two fumbles) and to North Carolina State (two interceptions, two fumbles). The Tigers needed a second-half rally back two weeks ago to overcome a two-touchdown deficit and defeat Wake Forest, 31-28, despite two interceptions and a fumble. “We’re lucky we hadn’t lost all three,” Swinney said. The ACC Atlantic winners will need to shore up ball security issues when they face No. 14 South Carolina (9-2) at Williams-Brice Stadium on Saturday night. Swinney said his players’ efforts haven’t wavered the past month despite the losses. “We know exactly who we are,” the coach said. “We’ve got a great group of guys that winning is extremely important to.” Especially this week in what is the state of South Carolina’s biggest sporting contest. The Tigers have owned the rivalry since it began with a 65-39-4 edge. But the Gamecocks have the chance to win three straight, something that hasn’t happened since 1968-70. “We know what this rivalry means,” defensive coordinator Kevin Steele said. First up, though, is regaining his team’s focus after last week’s surprise, 37-13, beatdown to the Wolfpack. North Carolina State scored 27 second-quarter points, capitalizing on fumbles by Boyd and freshman tailback Mike Bellamy to take control. Clemson’s defense, faced with short fields much of the game, allowed 37 points to a Wolfpack team that had scored only 23 its previous three games. “This sounds like a cliché, but our own mistakes are killing us,” Boyd said. Swinney spoke to the players Monday about their football focus, saying some had spent more time away from practices and organized meetings working at their technique. Center Dalton Freeman said the offensive line had plans to put in some extra work as a group on their own to prepare for the Gamecocks. Tight end Brandon Ford said the players have additional free time without classes during Thanksgiving break to devote to football. “A key to us winning to keep from turning the ball over,” he said. “If we can execute like we did the first eight games, that should be OK.” Clemson should have most of its injured players back for South Carolina, including left tackle Phillip Price, who sprained a knee ligament against Wake Forest and did not play against North Carolina State. The Wolfpack had six sacks after Clemson had only allowed 18 its first 10 games. Swinney said the team would work Price hard at practice to see if the knee would hold up to play or if Price should wait until the ACC title game in Charlotte, N.C., on Dec. 3. Also back is star wideout Sammy Watkins, held out against North Carolina State because of a shoulder injury also suffered against Wake Forest. None of it might matter unless Clemson takes better care of the football. “I don’t know if we’ve given ourselves a chance the last couple of weeks,” Swinney said. It’s natural for a team as young as the Tigers — 42 players are redshirt freshmen or true freshmen — to have lapses during a long season, Swinney said. The test comes at teaching them how to face adversity and get past their problems, which Swinney believes his players are ready to do. “Let’s all get on the same page and be who we are,” he said. Copyright 2011 The Associated Press.