Clemson retains Chad Morris despite 138th-place passing offense

Dabo Swinney stood on the sideline against Virginia Tech last Saturday, holding a large playsheet. The image fueled rumors of discontent with offensive coordinator Chad Morris, but Swinney confirmed on Sunday night that Morris will remain in charge for the rest of the season. The decision keeps the status quo despite an offensive unit that ranks last in the country in passing touchdowns.

Clemson has not thrown a touchdown pass in four games. The team has recorded only 164 dropbacks without a score, a streak that places them at 138th out of 138 teams in that category. Their only two passing touchdowns this season came against Georgia Southern and North Carolina. The Tigers have thrown seven interceptions, a higher total than their touchdown count.

The offensive struggles extend beyond the aerial attack. Clemson ranks 133rd in total touchdowns with 14 scores and 112th in scoring offense at 21.4 points per game. According to CBS Sports research, the team has scored 28 points or fewer in 10 consecutive games against FBS opponents. This is the longest such streak since 2008, a record previously broken by Swinney in his first home win as head coach.

Swinney attributed the poor performance to coaching decisions rather than player effort. He told ESPN at halftime that the three points scored in the first half were '100% coaching' and called the showing 'pitiful.' After the game, he noted that the staff did not make enough decisions to win, emphasizing that the players 'played their butts off.'

The offensive line has struggled to protect the quarterback, allowing 21 sacks this season. That total ranks 123rd nationally, matching the team's sack rate of 8%. Advanced metrics from analyst Brian Fremeau show the team gains only 37.9% of available yards, ranking 126th. The success rate sits at 37.6, placing Clemson 126th in the nation.

Quarterback Tait Reynolds is currently last among Power Four quarterbacks in QBR. Swinney stated that a battle between Reynolds and Christopher Vizzina would have been ongoing had Vizzina not been injured early in the year. While Swinney left the door open for more Vizzina time later in the season, he affirmed that Reynolds remains the starter.

The coaching staff has made personnel changes in an attempt to spark improvement. Swinney benched running back Gideon Davidson for the second half of the Virginia Tech game, citing technical errors and poor lane reads. Davidson gave up two sacks, which Swinney said hurt the team. The Tigers have tied for 103rd in total plays of 20 or more yards, with only 17 passing plays reaching that mark.

Clemson faces five remaining games, including a matchup against Florida State this Saturday. The schedule includes opponents like Syracuse, Duke, and Georgia Tech, teams that Swinney noted the program would not have considered rivals just three years ago. The current season marks a sharp decline from a program that produced quarterbacks like Deshaun Watson and Trevor Lawrence in consecutive years.