Why Clemson football's defensive performance in spring game encouraged Dabo Swinney
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CLEMSON — Clemson football's defense lost in the annual spring game Saturday at Memorial Stadium, but its play from its first-team unit pleased coach Dabo Swinney.The starting defense was without cornerbacks Ashton Hampton and Jeadyn Lukus and defensive tackles DeMonte Capehart and Stephiylan Green because of injuries. Swinney and his staff limited defensive end T.J. Parker and defensive tackle Peter Woods' snaps and placed cornerback Avieon Terrell and safety Khalil Barnes in "non-tackle" jerseys.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDespite these limitations, Clemson's first-team defense stifled quarterback Cade Klubnik and the starting offense, generating an interception and holding it to two field-goal attempts, no touchdowns."That was really good to see," Swinney said. "... That's an area that we have to be better at this year is red zone defense. When you win on red zone defense, you hold them to a field goal."Clemson was tied for 51st in FBS in red-zone defense last season. It...