Swinney, Doeren are on Same Page

CLEMSON – It is not often NC State’s Dave Doeren and Clemson’s Dabo Swinney agree on something, but the respected head coaches do agree on this – what has happened in the past between these two rivals has nothing to with Saturday’s game at Memorial Stadium.

Over the years, Clemson has dominated the rivalry, which used to be known as the Textile Bowl. The Tigers own a 60-30-1 lead in the 91-year history of the series.

Clemson won eight straight in the series from 2012-’19, and has won nine straight in Death Valley, which dates back to 2004. However, the Wolfpack has won two of the last three meetings.

“It’s more about how do we win this football game, and focus on those things,” Doeren said. “How can we play better for four quarters instead of two quarters here, two quarters there. How you win a game against a good football team is you don’t turn the football over, you play physical and you don’t give up explosive plays for scores. You’re really efficient in your special teams departments with your field position.

“That’s the focus of winning. It’s not ten years ago, what’s happened. These guys were eight years old. That’s not going to help us win the football game.”

When asked on Tuesday about his junior class being 1-2 against NC State, Swinney echoed Doeren’s comments.

“That is a fact. If they’re a junior, that is what they are,” he said. “But if you are a fourth-year guy or a fifth-year guy, you have a different record. If you were me, you have a different record. I have been in a bunch of these.

“So, it doesn’t really matter. The only stuff that matters is we just have to win the game. None of that matters Saturday when you kick it off. You have to go and win this game. That is the only thing that matters, is how you do this week.”

Swinney is 8-2 all-time head-to-head against Doeren.

The NC State coach did go back just a little on his comments, especially when it came to Clemson’s long win streak over the Wolfpack in Death Valley.

“We need to get the job done down there, and that’s something we haven’t done,” he said. “We’ve been close. Close doesn’t get it done.”