Clemson secures huge 31-23 upset win over No. 12 Notre Dame... days after $10million coach Dabo Swinney blew up at a disgruntled Tigers fan on the radio
- Dabo Swinney called a Clemson Tigers a 'smart-a** kid' on his radio show
- Swinney moved past the late Frank Howard in all-time Clemson wins with 166
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Days after Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney went off on a fan who questioned his $10million salary, his team responded with a huge win.
The Tigers (5-4) upset No. 12 Notre Dame 31-23 to end a disheartening two-game losing streak on Saturday, as Phil Mafah ran for a career-high 186 yards and two touchdowns.
The victory came after Swinney was criticized by 'Tyler from Spartanburg,' a caller into his radio show that was unhappy with the team's struggles this season.
Swinney told the fan that he was 'part of the problem' and called him a 'smart-a** kid.'
'Is this a bad year? Yeah, and it's my responsibility,' Swinney said. 'Take 100 percent responsibility for it.
'But all this bull-crap you're thinking, all these narratives you read. Listen, man, you can have your opinion all you want, and you can apply for the job. And good luck to you.'
![Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts as the Tigers celebrate after a 31-23 victory](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/04/20/77408679-0-Clemson_head_coach_Dabo_Swinney_reacts_as_the_Tigers_celebrate_a-a-10_1699131488814.jpg)
Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney reacts as the Tigers celebrate after a 31-23 victory
![Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) scores a touchdown from an interception](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/04/20/77408859-0-image-a-9_1699131484227.jpg)
Clemson Tigers linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. (54) scores a touchdown from an interception
![Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers hugs Swinney during an on-field interview](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/11/04/20/77408669-0-image-a-7_1699130972764.jpg)
Cade Klubnik of the Clemson Tigers hugs Swinney during an on-field interview
Swinney was rewarded with a 10-year, $115 million contract after leading the school to two national championships.
And his team looked closer to that level on Saturday as they beat the Fighting Irish with strong offensive line play and a swarming defense.
Mafah ran for scores of 41 and 1 yard, the last putting Clemson ahead 31-16 in the third quarter.
Notre Dame drew within one score on Sam Hartman's 26-yard scramble score.
That's when Clemson's special teams and defense closed things out. Four times after that, the Tigers downed punts inside the Notre Dame 15 — including a nifty quick kick by quarterback Cade Klubnik — and the Irish (7-3, No. 15 CFP) could never get out of the hole.
Notre Dame got a last chance when Mafah fumbled with 1:47 to go on its own 22. After a first down, Hartman threw four incompletions to give the ball back to the Tigers with 58 seconds left.
Clemson ran out the clock and set off a celebration for Death Valley fans that had little to cheer about this season.
Swinney, meanwhile, finally moved past the late Frank Howard in all-time Clemson wins with 166 after missing his first two chances to move in front.