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When No.2 Clemson faces No.3 Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl on Friday in a college football playoff semi-final, it’ll be without offensive coordinator and running backs coach Tony Elliott. . The school announced Wednesday afternoon that Elliott would not be available for the game and did not travel with the team due to COVID-19 protocols, and shortly after arriving in New Orleans, Tigers coach Dabo Swinney confirmed to ESPN that Elliott tested positive.
“Just too bad he’s out. We love Tony. The good news is he’s doing great,” Swinney said. “He has no symptoms or anything like that. So I would like him to be with us, but he will be with us in spirit.”
Swinney has also confirmed that QB coach and passing play coordinator Brandon Streeter will exceed playing duties in Elliott’s absence.
Elliott is the main player for a Tigers offense who is third nationally with 44.9 points per game, and he has earned respect as one of the best offensive minds in the game. Quarterback Trevor Lawrence, first presumed overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, is also one of four finalists for the Heisman Trophy. Running back Travis Etienne will leave the program as the all-time leader of the ACC.
Longtime assistant to the Tigers under Dabo Swinney, Elliott was the 2017 Broyles Award winner for best assistant coach in college football. Due to Clemson’s success in the field, he also started to generate interest in other jobs and was briefly connected to the vacant Auburn position before Bryan Harsin was hired from Boise State.
The Sugar Bowl semi-final between the Tigers and Buckeyes kicks off Friday at 8 p.m. ET.
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