Syracuse (3-1, 1-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) defeated Clemson (1-3, 0-2 Atlantic Coast Conference) 34-21 in Death Valley for the first time in program history. Despite a 96 minute weather delay at halftime, nothing could stop the Orange.
The Orange were in full control from the opening kickoff. On the opening drive, SU quarterback Steve Angeli found wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons for the first score of the game. Then head coach Fran Brown rolled the dice and called for an onside kick, which the Cuse recovered and then scored a field-goal. SU led 10-0 before Clemson’s offense could touch the ball.
“I think when you are playing a really good football team you got to put it all out there. You just got to go, do everything you possibly can to win.” head coach Fran Brown said postgame.
After a picture perfect start for @CuseFootball, head coach Fran Brown rolled the dice.@ginoantimarino had the call of a perfectly executed onside kick from Jadyn Oh.
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On the defensive side, Syracuse was locked in all-game. The Orange held the Tigers to just 7 points in the second half.and a combined 4-of-18 on third and fourth down.
“We kept fighting and kept playing, that is the way we practice. So it was pretty cool to see them execute and show what they do in practice, be able to do it in front of a crowd,” head coach Fran Brown mentioned after the game.
After missing two weeks due to injury, Syracuse defensive back Devin Grant led the team with 10 tackles and two tackles for loss.
“I was trying to do my best for whatever the team needed to be honest with you. Wether it was rushing the passer, in coverage, cheering on my teammates, any role,” Grant added.
Against a blue blood like Clemson, @CuseFootball needed physicality and got it.@ginoantimarino was on the call for a SU turnover forced right outside of the redzone.
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The biggest story of the game came with three minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Steve Angeli attempted to scramble out of the pocket but fell to the ground and suffered a lower-body injury. Angeli would not check into the game again and was seen in crutches on the sideline. Backup quarterback Rickie Collins took his place and went 3 of 8 for 34 yards and a touchdown.
After the game Coach Brown said, “I thought Steve was amazing, it seems like he won’t be here for a couple weeks, right now.”
It is Syracuse's first win against Clemson since 2017. The Tigers 1-3 record is the worst start to a season ever in the Dabo Sweeney era.
Next up, Syracuse hosts in conference rival Duke. The Blue Devils are 2-2 and coming off a 45-33 win over NC State. Kickoff from the JMA Wireless Dome is set for noon. Listen to McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff at 11:30 a.m. on WAER.org or 88.3 FM.