Clemson Fined by ACC for Dabo Swinney's Criticism of Referees After Loss to Duke

The ACC fined Clemson $10,000 and publicly reprimanded head coach Dabo Swinney after he complained about the officiating from Saturday's 46-45 loss against Duke.

"Some critical penalties," he told reporters after the game. "I don't even know what to say about the last call [pass interference penalty against Clemson defensive back Avieon Terrell on a 4th-and-10 play]. Y'all saw it. It shouldn't come down to that. We had plenty of opportunities to win the game, but that's one of the worst calls I've ever seen in a game, ever, in my entire coaching career. Ever."

The overhead replay did appear to show Terrell impeding the path of Duke receiver Que'Sean Brown before the ball was thrown, though it appeared that Brown then blocked the path of Terrell as he tried to make the interception once the ball was in the air. It was ultimately ruled defensive pass interference.

Swinney's frustrations likely extend beyond a debatable call, however, as his Tigers are now just 3-5 and find themselves in a major fight to become bowl eligible after starting the season ranked No. 4 in the Associated Press' preseason poll.