For years, Clemson football had the bad rep of “Clemsoning” at inopportune times.
Basically, “Clemsoning” meant the Tigers finding a way to blow a big game or make an inexplicable mistake in a key moment. When Dabo Swinney led Clemson to the national title in 2016, he made it a point to say “Clemsoning” had been retired forever.
Well, now it looks like the practice has reared its ugly head in the Tigers’ season opener at Duke. With 10:30 left in the game, 10th-ranked Clemson trails Duke 21-7.
In total, Clemson has lost two fumbles in the red zone, including one inside the five-yard line. The Tigers have also had a pair of field goals blocked.
Not surprisingly, “Clemsoning” has been trending for a while on Twitter.
“Looks like Clemsoning is making its triumphant return,” said Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer.
Looks like Clemsoning is making its triumphant return.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) September 5, 2023
“Clemson is Clemsoning,” a Florida State fan added.
Clemson is Clemsoning
— Dillon Riera (@13d_riera) September 5, 2023
“Someone ask about Clemsoning pretty please,” added Extra Points’ Matt Brown.
somebody ask about clemsoning pretty please
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) September 5, 2023
#Clemsoning is alive! pic.twitter.com/meoInRkiTQ
— Doug Keegan (@doug_keegan) September 5, 2023
Clemsoning may be back!
— Isaiah Hole (@isaiahhole) September 5, 2023
Clemsoning:
1. Noun: an act of delivering an inexplicably disappointing performance pic.twitter.com/BWYZnENycK— Sean (@SeanCD30) September 5, 2023
Clemsoning pic.twitter.com/xPQompyPvc
— Bunkie Perkins (@BunkiePerkins) September 5, 2023
If Clemson doesn’t wake up quickly, it will open the 2023 season with a brutal road loss that will sting for a while.
You can catch the end of Clemson-Duke on ESPN.