Hallgrimsson will have the managerial reins all to himself

CLEMSON, S.C. -- Clemson coach Dabo Swinney was ready to see his third-ranked Tigers build momentum for the final regular-season push. He couldnt be happier with their performance against Syracuse.The Tigers (6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) improved to 9-0 for a second straight season, rolling over the Orange for a 54-0 shutout Saturday. Not even seeing Heisman Trophy contending quarterback Deshaun Watson leave the game with an injury in the first half could spoil Swinneys satisfaction over this one.For us, its just trying to stay on course and build some momentum, he said.That was not easy in October as Clemson needed fourth-quarter rallies to defeat No. 5 Louisville (42-36) and No. 19 Florida State (37-34) and sweated out a missed field goal by North Carolina State to escape that one in overtime, 24-17.Watson threw for two touchdowns, including a pretty, arcing 65-yard toss that hit Deon Cain in stride, and ran for a third in the blowout victory.Both Watson and Swinney said the bruised right shoulder was fine and would not prevent him from facing Pitt next week with a chance to clinch the ACC Atlantic Division.Watson finished with 169 yards passing and 39 rushing to keep the Tigers (6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference, No. 2 CFP) on track for the ACC title game.November is championship time, Watson said . Its time to set a new standard and set a new tone.Watson, who had a bag of ice on his right shoulder, said he felt fine and couldve kept playing.Syracuse (4-5, 2-3) had hoped to catch Clemson napping after the Tigers dramatic, 37-34 win at Florida State last week. However, any upset chances left once Orange quarterback Eric Dungey was knocked out in the first quarter following a hard hit by linebacker Dorian ODaniel. Dungey, the ACC leader in passing yards and completions per game coming in, returned from the locker room in shorts and a ball cap as backups Austin Wilson and Zack Mahoney finished up.Orange coach Dino Babers said his training staff ruled Dungey out and he had no additional update about the quarterbacks condition or how soon he might return.I do think anytime you lose your starting quarterback in an offense thats designed to pass, its going to be a dramatic change, Babers said.Syracuse was held to 277 yards of offense, including just 172 yards passing -- their second fewest this season.Clemsons Cain had two TD catches and 125 yards on five receptions. He said this game -- Clemson scored 31 points with Watson sidelined -- showed how deep the Tigers are this season. Best is the standard and our standard doesnt change, Cain said. Weve got the best of the best out there all the time.It was Clemsons first ACC shutout since defeating Miami 58-0 last year and the first time Syracuse was held without points since a 56-0 loss to Georgia Tech in 2013.Tigers linebacker Ben Boulware said Syracuses offense was fast-paced and complex so to go out there and get a shutout, thats a difficult thing to do.THE TAKEAWAYSyracuse: The Orange had come off two straight wins, but Babers program is not yet ready to take down teams like Clemson.Clemson: With their toughest regular-season games over, the Tigers are rolling much like they did down the stretch a year ago. Thats a dangerous prospect for their potential ACC title game opponent or for other national title contenders.POLL IMPLICATIONSClemson: Its status quo for the Tigers, barring a major Saturday night surprise . Despite the easy win, Clemson likely wont jump No. 2 Michigan in the Top 25 rankings or No. 1 Alabama in the CFP poll next week -- unless the Crimson Tide stumble. Clemsons path to the end, though, is much less worrisome than its two higher ranked competitors, leaving the Tigers in prime pouncing position if anyone ahead loses.RECORD SETTERSyracuse receiver Amba Etta-Tawo had nine catches, setting the schools single-season record with 75 receptions. He topped Alec Lemons mark of 72 in 2012. Etta-Tawo came into the game leading the ACC in several categories, including total receiving yards and yards per game. Etta-Tawos older brother Etta Etta-Tawo was a rising Clemson defensive lineman whose career ended early in 2006 because of medical issues.UP NEXTSyracuse: The Orange face North Carolina State next Saturday, the first of two straight games at the Carrier Dome.Clemson: The Tigers play their final ACC regular-season home game with Pittsburgh, a team it has not faced since the Panthers joined the league before the 2013 football season. Colin Kaepernick Youth Jersey . 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The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the Lions have not announced the hiring, which was first reported by ESPN. Lombardi, the grandson of former Green Bay Hall of Fame coach Vince Lombardi, has been an offensive assistant on Sean Paytons New Orleans staff since 2007. PARIS -- Trying to explain how Iceland has unexpectedly reached the European Championship quarterfinals, coach Lars Lagerback recalled some early managerial advice.Doing it simple is to be a genius, Lagerback was told by then-West Ham manager Ron Greenwood on a visit to London in the 1970s.Before Lagerback could continue his answer at a news conference on Saturday, the man sitting two seats to his left chipped in with a question of his own.So youre a genius? Heimir Hallgrimsson asked.You said it! Lagerback responded in a flash to Hallgrimsson, his co-coach with the Iceland national team.It was a glimpse into the convivial and flourishing managerial partnership behind Icelands stunning progress at Euro 2016 ahead of the Nordic nations quarterfinal against France on Sunday.In a sport where one dominant leader is seen as an essential ingredient to controlling a dressing room, Lagerback and Hallgrimsson are jointly masterminding Icelands first-ever appearance at a major tournament.In the 67-year-old Lagerback, Iceland has a wily managerial veteran of World Cups and European Championships with his native Sweden. The 49-year-old Hallgrimsson is a part-time Icelandic dentist whose previous coaching was at IBV Vestmannaeyjar in a domestic league featuring no professional clubs.The experience from that guy has helped a lot, Iceland captain Aron Gunnarsson said Saturday, pointing to Lagerback before switching a thumb in the direction of Hallgrimsson. And the more technical computer stuff has come from him. They blend in really nicely together.Its an intriguing dynamic, but one that furthered Lagerbacks career when he shared the coaching responsibilities at Sweden with Tommy Soderberg. Together they returned Sweden to the international stage, reaching the round of 16 at the 2002 World Cup and the quarterfinals at Euro 2004.Now, Lagerback is seeking to go one better with Iceland with a semifinal place on offer if host France can be beaten at the Stade de France. The Icelanders are unbeaten after four games, with a group-stage draw against Cristiano Ronaldos Portugal followed by England being knoccked out in the round of 16.ddddddddddddFour eyes see more, Lagerback said. We try to work really equally. Its also extra important for me as I have been lazy, as I havent learnt the (Icelandic) language.Although the coaches stress they are on equal footing, Lagerback assumes the primary role without necessarily realizing it at times.Do you want me to answer that? he responds when asked about the partnership.But when the duo is asked about France and Hallgrimsson replies first at length, Lagerback follows up by saying: I cant put it much better, so I rest my case.When Euro 2016 ends for Iceland -- and that might not be for another week if Iceland reaches the final -- Hallgrimsson will have the managerial reins all to himself. He is trying to extract as much managerial acumen from Lagerback before then.Iceland is a country where theres only amateur football. The coaches who are coaching there are amateur coaches, Hallgrimsson said at the training camp in Annecy before making the trip to the French capital.To have a guy coming to Iceland with all (Lagerbacks) international experience ... teach us how to do things is priceless. And hes leaving that legacy and knowledge in the hands of the Icelandic FA.Such partnerships have not always thrived in soccer.Liverpools gamble to use a management partnership to end a trophy drought in the 1990s quickly fractured. Former France coach Gerard Houllier was brought in to link up with incumbent Roy Evans but the ex-Liverpool player left after four months.Maybe at one stage (the players) didnt know who was the boss -- who they had to refer to, Houllier said of his ill-fated partnership with Evans.But for Iceland, two heads are proving better than one.You can go to both and speak to both, said Gunnarsson, the Iceland captain.But who has the final say in the dugout?We use the Swedish way, Hallgrimsson said. We talk until we agree.---Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris and www.facebook.com/RobHarrisReports ' ' '