Swinney not making personnel changes

CLEMSON -- No job losses were reported by Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney as the Tigers returned to practice.

After not forcing a punt against Georgia Tech and allowing South Carolina to record a Spurrier-era best rushing performance against a power-conference team, Swinney said he has not made any personnel changes.

Swinney is hoping for better execution from his run defense when it faces Kentucky. The Wildcats finished fifth in the SEC in rushing (193 yards per game) and feature a versatile threat in Randall Cobb who tied Heisman winner Mark Ingram for the SEC lead in touchdowns (18).

"We have not made (personnel changes)," Swinney said. "We might rep some guys differently, but right now we have our same starters penciled in."

Swinney was specifically asked about the Clemson linebacking corps in relation to the porous run defense.

"We must have our eyes on the right things, react to what our eyes see," Swinney said, "take proper angles and get off blocks."

Clemson has fallen to 69th in the country in rush defense (150 yards per game).

"Hopefully we'll play smarter than we have the last couple of games," Swinney said. "We've had some freelancing going on and those things get you in trouble."

A question of neutrality

So much for bowl sites offering a non-partisan environment.

Clemson will try to end a two-game losing streak and three-game bowl skid at LP Field in Nashville, Tenn., which will have a pro-Kentucky crowd for the Music City Bowl.

The Tennessean reported the Wildcats have already sold out of their 12,000-ticket allotment and Kentucky has asked for 4,000 additional tickets. Clemson has sold roughly half of its 7,500-ticket allotment.

Kentucky is appearing in a school record fourth consecutive bowl game. The Wildcats are also coming off a loss, an overtime defeat against Tennessee.

"They are going bring a lot of fans," Swinney said. "It will almost be like a road game."

More than 56,000 tickets have been sold according to reports, which is more than last season's game that had 54,250 witness Vanderbilt play Boston College.

Spiller at 100 percent?

By Dec. 27, C.J. Spiller will have enjoyed his longest break of the season, helping his aching turf toe condition. Swinney likened the situation to the Wake Forest game following the bye week when Spiller was fresh and rushed for 106 yards on nine carries.

"It'll be good for him to get this break," Swinney said. "We'll take it easy with him and try to have him close to 100 percent."

Kentucky quarterback misses practice

Kentucky quarterback Mike Hartline, who started the season's first five games, missed Monday's practice with swelling in his knee. He has missed seven straight games due to the injury. Freshman Morgan Newton led Kentucky to a 5-2 mark in his absence.