Clemson’s Dabo Swinney becomes sixth-fastest university football coach with 150 wins over Cheez-It Bowl

ORLANDO, Fla. – Clemson coach Dabo Swinney became the sixth fastest coach in the history of university football, with 150 wins. He honored his players after the Tigers beat 20-13 Iowa State on Wednesday night in the Cheez-It Bowl.

“This team’s trip was full of setbacks and we probably had more setbacks this year than the last seven combined,” said Swinney, who only became the third coach to have won at least 150 games in less than 15 seasons. – What made it great was that everything in the whole program, something that never startled me, was leadership.

“This was perfect programming. … What made this team special was that they didn’t come up with excuses.”

Clemson (10-3) won for the sixth consecutive game and achieved 10 wins for the 11th consecutive season. Florida State (14 from 1987-00) and Alabama (14 from 2008-21) are the only programs with longer periods.

Swinney, who directed the Tigers to the national championships in 2016 and 18 and six consecutive playoffs in College Football, joined Urban Meyer and Bob Stoops as the only coaches in college football with at least 150 wins in less than 15 seasons at the helm. . Swinney ended her 14th term as Tigers leaders.

Corner defender Mario Goodrich was named MVP of the game when he returned the 18-yard cut to a third-quarter touchdown and hit the ball out of Iowa State quarterback Brock Purdy in the final minute to maintain the win.

“It means a lot to everyone on this team because we started 2-2 and getting back and getting 10 wins is amazing,” Goodrich said. “For the tradition to continue, it’s a legacy. It’s awesome to end my last game with these guys and go in a good mood.”

Will Shipley ran for a 12-yard touchdown in the second quarter, BT Potter kicked two field goals and Clemson’s defense did the rest due to Tigers ’eighth bowl win in the last 10 seasons. The Tigers, who lost to All-ACC line-up defender James Skalski in the second quarter, held the Cyclones (7-6) in three goals in the first three quarters.

Iowa State, which was severely restricted to play without stars in tailback Breece Hall, collected just 270 yards and the first 14 shots against Clemson’s defense, which came into play in the country’s second goal.

Iowa State dropped four of their last six games of the season and lost the bowl for the fourth consecutive year. Cyclones got rid of 20-13 9:42 and played Andrew Mevis ’third field goal and Purdy’s 6-yard touch to Charlie Kolari.

Purdy, the most successful quarterback in school history, scored 204 yards out of 22 of 39 passes, but his two substitutions – both produced by Clemson’s Goodrich – proved costly.

“For me, the result doesn’t dictate what Brock Purdy has done for Iowa state football,” Iowa state coach Matt Campbell said. “He played a lot of games that were great to get our team back in the game. I haven’t been a better competitor around me who would have liked the result to be different (than Purdy). To Brock, it’s thanks for everything you’ve done.”

Clemson quarterback DJ Uiagalelei scored 187 yards from a 21/32 pass. Shipley finished 61 yards for Clemson by running and 53 yards.

The defense of the state of Iowa, which came in 10th in the country’s overall defense, kept Clemson at 315 yards. However, that wasn’t enough to earn the Cyclones their first bowl after 2017.

“This game will live on in my head for the rest of my life,” Iowa State Security Greg Eisworth II said.

The Associated Press participated in this report.