By : Sabri Haidar
(Photo/Sabri Haidar-The Mojo Network)
Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney voiced his frustration with the officiating after the Tigers' 17-14 defeat to South Carolina at Memorial Stadium. The controversy arose during a critical third-quarter play. On first-and-10, Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik pitched the ball to running back Phil Mafah, who attempted a second pitch to freshman wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. However, Mafah slipped and fumbled as his knee appeared close to touching the ground. South Carolina defensive lineman Tonka Hemingway recovered the ball.
Initially, the officials ruled the play as an 8-yard loss, but they stopped the game for an automatic review just as Clemson’s offense snapped the ball and completed a pass for a gain. Swinney was visibly unhappy with the timing and outcome of the review.
"We thought (Mafah) was down. All the reviews went against us today," Swinney said. "There's been some strange things that happened this year that I really don't have any explanation for."
Another pivotal overturned call occurred just before halftime. Klubnik connected with Wesco on a 9-yard pass, but the play was reversed upon review as officials determined Wesco’s right foot was barely out of bounds.
This isn’t the first time Swinney has been critical of officiating. After a win over Pitt in Week 12, he voiced concerns about a targeting call and a reversed unnecessary roughness penalty. Despite his frustrations on Saturday, Swinney acknowledged that No. 12 Clemson (9-3) had opportunities to win against their in-state rival, No. 14 South Carolina (9-3).
"There were several questionable things out there today," Swinney said. "We still had plenty of opportunities to win the game."