CLEMSON, S.C. — Charleston Southern travels to Clemson for a noon kickoff on Saturday, facing a Tigers team that sits at 3-2 and is coming off an open week.
Clemson has struggled to score this season and ranks 118th nationally in points per game. Its losses came against LSU and Miami. Under coach Dabo Swinney, the Tigers are 18-6 in games after a bye week.
Swinney said it struck him as unusual to face an FCS opponent right after the break, and he wants his team to get healthy, clean up its own mistakes and play to its ability. After Saturday, Clemson faces five straight ACC opponents.
The game also brings a personal connection. Buccaneers coach Gabe Giardina walked on as a kicker at Alabama during Swinney’s final season as an assistant there.
Charleston Southern is a Baptist-affiliated university in the Charleston area with about 3,500 students.
