Clemson football attempted one of the dumbest trick plays you’re likely to see this season against Georgia Tech on Saturday.
Early in the home game, the Yellow Jackets forced a three-and-out on the Tigers deep into Clemson territory. You would assume Clemson would just punt the ball away in this fourth-and-nine situation, but head coach Dabo Swinney would not be caught making the extremely reasonable decision.
No, Swinney called for a fake punt instead, with punter Aidan Swanson catching the ball and unsuccessfully scrambling for the first down.
It was one of the easiest turnover-on-downs stops that Georgia Tech could make, as poor Swanson got left to dry on the bizarre play call.
Naturally, the Yellow Jackets took advantage of favorable field position and scored shortly after the stop.
Dabo Swinney dialed up the Clemson fake punt… on 4th-and-9 from their own 20-yard line in the first quarter.
It did not work.
Georgia Tech immediately followed with a run a to the 5-yard line and later scored a touchdown. pic.twitter.com/xskuUAWpWs
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) November 11, 2023
This is clearly the epitome of an avoidable disaster, and college football fans let Clemson have it for attempting such a ridiculous trick play that early into the contest.
Feature image courtesy of ESPN.
My guess is that this was a read … and even then, how are you calling that? https://t.co/dan5iwcnOf
— Gare Bear (@GVLaker68) November 11, 2023
How does Tyler from Spartanburg feel about this? https://t.co/xleiRgiN6b
— Tanner Spearman (@tannerspearman) November 11, 2023
But what does Tyler from Spartanburg think? https://t.co/xy3W3HpF1F
— Matt Maisel (@Matt_Maisel) November 11, 2023
Dabo has to be one of the worst in game coaches in history https://t.co/4Yn6DRtV7R
— Sean ♠️ (@Seanismoney) November 11, 2023
Must have been “Tyler in Spartanburg” 's fault . SMH #DaboSwinney #Clemson #CFB https://t.co/dggEyPxAUM
— Gabriel Morency (@sportsrage) November 11, 2023
Dabo is just mashing buttons on the controller https://t.co/p83oUlh3EP
— alexjandro (@_alexjandro) November 11, 2023
#NeverDabo https://t.co/u2CKtT0OLa
— Jim Hicks (@js_hicks) November 11, 2023
https://t.co/04c0bT8S2V pic.twitter.com/77OfKLafX9
— washley (@willashley60) November 11, 2023
Lmaooooooo https://t.co/wIFYPJZU2C
— Andrew Natalizio (@anatalizio0523) November 11, 2023
BUY STOCK IN CLEMSON https://t.co/WVsKXzxiKy
— Micah Hallock (@mICAHbH) November 11, 2023
I'm sure he'll blame it on analytics… https://t.co/ZN7suHmeyy
— Phillip Bupp (@phillipbupp) November 11, 2023
When BYU pulled this stunt, the defense stepped up and prevented any points https://t.co/WPfz613ql4
— worfosaur (@worfosaur) November 11, 2023
