Clematis: It's fallshould i cut it back?, 1 by Gitagal

Gitagal wrote:
This is a "Lady Betty Balfour" Clematis. I believe it is in the #1 pruning category,
which means I can cut it back all the way down in spring.
It blooms profusely in early summer and sometimes a bit more in later summer.

Right now it looks like C---. It is all overgrown with dead leaves with some fresh
leaves showing due to the cooler weather.

I would like to cut it back as i am cleaning up my beds at this time.
Should I? Would that "mess with" the plants "clock"?
Would it be wrong if i did cut it back now?

Thanks for your opinions. Gita

1--Here it is blooming in early summer (2014).

2--Here it is looking like a mess this fall--(2015)