Dabo Swinney offers emotional statement after Clemson's loss to Syracuse

Following the contest, Swinney told the media that the Tigers were "beat up emotionally" after the loss to Syracuse.

"We’re beat up emotionally and physically," Swinney said, via Grace Raynor of The Athletic. "But we’ll rally. And we’ll get back to work. There’s certainly no quit in me and I didn’t see any quit in our team or our staff."

Clemson began the season ranked No. 4 before dropping their first contest against then-No. 9 LSU 17-10 at home. They fell out of the rankings after losing 24-21 to Georgia Tech in Week 3.

The Tigers were 17-point favorites to defeat the Orange, but their defense could not stop the Syracuse offensive attack, allowing 34 points in the first three quarters. Swinney called the loss "painful."

"Painful. It hurt," Swinney said. "I’m not a cyborg. This is my life. I’ve been here 23 years. I love this place. I give this place the very best I’ve got every single day."

Swinney acknowledged that the 1-3 start was not what the team envisioned, but they plan to fight for the rest of the season. Clemson's hopes to make the College Football Playoff are all but over unless it wins out and somehow sneaks into the ACC Championship Game with two conference losses.

The Tigers have a week off before they travel to play Bill Belichick and North Carolina on Oct. 4.