Dabo Swinney and Clemson took a loss to Miami Saturday night, falling to 4-3 in the process. It is uncommon territory for the Tigers in recent memory as the program now has 3 ACC losses on the season.

Clemson did have a chance to tie the game in double overtime, but a fourth-down play was snuffed out by the Hurricane defense. As the play unfolded, it appeared to be an RPO with quarterback Cade Klubnik keeping the ball and getting thrown for a loss.

After the game, Swinney said it was never designed to be an RPO. It was designed to be a straight handoff, but Klubnik did not execute it.

“No, it was a handoff. 100%. It was going to be a handoff. Spoiled it,” said Klubnik. “I got no answer. Just trying to do too much. No RPO, it’s a give, and we just didn’t do it. We made a lotta plays, but, again, we just gotta play within the system.”

That explanation will not make the loss any easier for the Tigers to handle, but it did appear that Will Shipley had a shot at the end zone if Klubnik had handed the ball off. Clemson must also answer for a 17-7 lead entering the fourth quarter that was squandered as Miami rallied with a 10-point swing.