October losses were key for both Clemson, Nebraska

JACKSONVILLE, FLA. — Clemson and Nebraska arrive at today's Gator Bowl with similar histories and circumstances.

Both schools have rich football tradition, national championships and zealous fans. But they have also known how easily it can all slip away with coaching changes and turmoil in the ranks.

For first-year head coaches Dabo Swinney and Bo Pelini, getting their players to buy into their programs was key. But it doesn't happen overnight.

Changing the direction of a college football program is like turning an aircraft carrier. It's big, slow and has many moving parts.

In order for it to perform in battle, each and every person has to be on board. It takes skill, commitment and leadership, the latter being the most important.

For Swinney and Pelini, the key moments for the Tigers (7-5) and Cornhuskers (8-4) came way back in October. And both involved defeat.

Georgia Tech

"To me the Georgia Tech game was a milestone," Clemson's Swinney said of his first game after taking over as head coach when Tommy Bowden resigned midseason. "It was a crazy week. A very short week. A lot going on. A lot of emotion."

Swinney, who had been the team's receivers coach, was suddenly thrust into the limelight, tasked with saving the program after a disappointing 3-3 start.

"You never really know if you're reaching the football team until you see them play. We didn't win the game (21-17), but to see the look in their eyes after the game in the locker room, I knew we had a chance."

The very next week, Clemson traveled to Boston College, a place where they had never won, and pulled out a close victory (27-21) after taking a big lead. That, Swinney said, was the result of the loss the week before.

"It was like here we go again," he said. "But to see them fight back and respond and to get it done in every phase down the stretch when we had to have it, that was a very, very big moment.

"After all that, I said to myself, 'we've got a chance, we've got a chance.' "

Texas Tech

For Pelini, the turning point of Nebraska's season was a road game the Cornhuskers lost at Texas Tech, their third straight.

"We had a long way to go when we first got together," he said of his first season in Lincoln. "You know, you're trying to institute a different type of culture, get everybody on the same page, develop trust and build relationships between the coaches and players. That doesn't happen overnight."

The Huskers began the season with three wins over lesser opponents, but lost three straight against Virginia Tech, Missouri and Texas Tech.

"I think the turning point of our season was the Texas Tech game, a game we lost (37-31)," Pelini said. "After that game we walked off the field and these guys understood how good they could be. There wasn't a guy in that locker room who didn't feel we were a better football team than the team we lost to that day.

"At that point, the team started coming together and realized how good we could be. We had some bumps along the road, especially the first year together. But no one ever panicked, no one ever pointed fingers.

"For that, I credit the senior leadership on this team. They kept everybody on the same page."

Two proud football programs, two similar situations. Should be an interesting game.

Reach Ken Burger at kburger@postandcourier.com or (843) 937-5598.