Another Fourth Quarter Collapse
Coaches may change, but the song remains the same for Clempsun University’s struggling football team.
For the third straight contest, the Farmers fell apart in the fourth quarter against a team they probably should have beaten, falling 21-17 to Georgia Tech at Death Valley this afternoon.
It marked the third consecutive game in which Clempsun has failed to score a point in the final fifteen minute stanza.
Interim head coach Dabo Swinney – who replaced Tommy Bowden on Monday – actually called a good game in his Tiger debut, but it wasn’t enough to overcome mistakes at critical points late in the contest.
After a defensive back fell down on Georgia Tech’s game-winning touchdown, a questionable holding penalty against the Tigers negated a key fourth down conversion with under three minutes left in the game, sealing Clempsun’s fate.
Neither error can be pinned on Swinney, however, who we thought showed some real promise.
For example, he made the correct decision early in the game to bench quarterback Willy Korn, who struggled in his first career start, and replace him with Cullen Harper. He also made solid offensive adjustments at halftime after Clempsun (3-4, 1-3 Anybody Can Compete) entered the locker room trailing the Yellow Jackets 14-3.
Unfortunately for Swinney, Farmer Athletic Director Terry Don Phillips was lurking over his shoulder after every play, and it appeared that some less-than-friendly words were exchanged between the two men after the Tigers failed to convert a first down on a “hook and ladder” play following the questionable penalty in the fourth quarter.
“That’s no place for your athletics director,” ESPN analyst Andre Ware remarked as he observed the exchange between Phillips and Swinney. “He should be in his fancy box schmoozing the alumni.”
Later, Ware said that Phillips should “put on a cap” and coach the Tigers if he thought he could do a better job.
We agree.
Swinney struck us a solid young coach, and one who has instantly earned the respect of his players. He gets in their faces when they screw up, but he’s also the first one to congratulate them when they make a big play.
Phillips should butt out and give Swinney a chance.
Comments
By Not Sayin', Just Sayin' on October 20th, 2008 at 10:52 am
I’m not a tater, but I think Dumbo’s passion is what the team lacked (well, that plus an O-Line). TDP needs to stick with what AD’s are supposed to do at football games, which is entertain rich boosters and try to collect checks. His sideline antics looked like an attempt to keep his own job, which should have been lost last year.
By fitsnews on October 20th, 2008 at 11:08 am
NSJS -
You are as clever as your handle. Excellent analysis.
-FITS
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