Mafah says message to critics fueled Clemson in ND upset -- 'Chip on our shoulder' - ESPN

Tyler from Spartanburg and the fiery response from Clemson coach Dabo Swinney dominated the headlines going into the Tigers' game against No. 15 Notre Dame on Saturday.

So after Clemson upset the Irish 31-23 for its best win this season, it was only natural to ask whether that phone call into Swinney's radio show earlier in the week served fired up the Tigers to defend their longtime head coach with their performance.

Swinney said no, but his players said otherwise. Phil Mafah, who had a career-high 186 rushing yards on 36 carries and two rushing touchdowns starting in place of the injured Will Shipley, said there was «a big chip on everyone's shoulder.»

«There's no one that loves us more than he does, so I take it personal,» Mafah said. «I know a lot of guys on the team do, so we had to bring our all today, fight for him especially.»

The radio show clip went viral Monday night after the caller — who identified himself as Tyler from Spartanburg — questioned Swinney and the direction of the program following a 4-4 start, the worst at Clemson since 2010. Swinney delivered an impassioned defense of himself, his players and their accomplishments during his tenure, including two national championships and 12 straight 10-win seasons.

He has insisted throughout this season that the Tigers are only a few plays away from being undefeated, pointing specifically to the turnovers that have cost them in their four losses. Against Notre Dame, Clemson won the turnover margin for the first time since September, and did not have a penalty — the first time that has happened since 1951.

Swinney also won his 166th career game at Clemson, passing Frank Howard as the winningest coach in school history.

«We definitely did have a chip on our