Dabo Swinney compares Malik Cunningham to Lamar Jackson ahead of Louisville matchup
Clemson will face one of the most dynamic quarterbacks in the country this week in Louisville’s Malik Cunningham.
Tigers coach Dabo Swinney seems to be preparing him team for that challenge. At his weekly press conference on Tuesday morning, Swinney said Cunningham was “Lamar Jackson-esque.”
“He keeps you up at night,” Swinney added.
Dabo Swinney says Malik Cunningham is "Lamar-esque."
"He keeps you up at night."— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) November 2, 2021
Cunningham’s production isn’t quite what Jackson’s was during his Heisman Trophy season with the Cardinals, but his numbers are still impressive. He’s completing 60.5 percent of his passes for 1,903 yards and 9 touchdowns. He’s also a threat on the ground, rushing for 556 yards and 13 touchdowns already this season.
“It seems like every single week I look up and we’re playing a freak show at quarterback,” Swinney said.
Dabo Swinney is here for his Tuesday presser ahead of the Louisville game: "It seems like every single week I look up and we’re playing a freak show at quarterback," he says of Malik Cunningham.
— Grace Raynor (@gmraynor) November 2, 2021
If there’s a silver lining for Clemson, it might be that Cunningham has struggled recently. He was ineffective as a passer in a loss to North Carolina State last week, completing just 11-of-28 passes for 219 yards and 1 touchdown. Outside of one 75-yard touchdown pass, the Cardinals struggled to move the ball vs. the Wolfpack.
Cunningham has struggled in his career vs. Clemson. He’s made two starts vs. the Tigers and has completed 9-of-21 passes for 184 yards, 0 touchdowns and 1 interception. He does have 1 career rushing touchdown vs. Clemson, but just 7 total rushing yards across two games.
Clemson is hoping to move to 6-3 on the season and stay alive in the ACC Atlantic. Similarly, Louisville enters this game with a 4-4 record and is trying to secure bowl eligibility.
Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. ET on Saturday.