Syracuse football’s late comeback falls short in 18-13 loss to Clemson

Syracuse football (4-5, 2-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) couldn’t extend its winning streak to three, as a late rally fell just short in an 18-13 loss to Clemson (6-3, 4-2 ACC) on Saturday. The Orange had won consecutive ACC games, including a win over then-No. 19 SMU on Oct. 31. Quarterback Steve Angeli and the offense struggled to score in the defeat.

The fifth-year quarterback completed 18 of 40 passes for 263 yards with a touchdown and two turnovers. Angeli’s only fumble came with less than seven minutes left in the third quarter. On second-and-13, trailing 12-6, Angeli was hit as he threw by Clemson defensive lineman Kourtney Kelly. The officials ruled that the pass went backward, which allowed the Tigers to capitalize. Clemson defensive end Jahiem Lawson scooped up the ball and returned it 22 yards for a touchdown to give the Tigers an 18-6 lead.

Angeli’s 45% completion rate was his worst in a game in an Orange uniform. Head coach Fran Brown knows it wasn’t the signal-caller’s day.

“He just wasn’t on. As a quarterback, you have some of those days sometimes when you’re not on. He wasn’t hitting the way that he would normally hit. I have to help put him in better positions,” Brown said.

The silver lining for the ‘Cuse’s offense was tight end Daunte Bacheyie. The sophomore caught five straight passes on SU’s late fourth-quarter drive, including the touchdown that pulled the game within one score. Bacheyie ended the afternoon with six catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. Brown had nothing but praise for him.

“He’s a great kid. He comes from a great program. Everyone trusts him on the team, so it’s not a surprise that he was able to get five straight passes for a touchdown,” Brown said.

It wasn’t just SU’s offense that struggled. In the first half, the teams combined for five field goals and no touchdowns. That included some special teams trouble for the ‘Cuse. After making his first field goal from 26 yards, Orange kicker Tripp Woody missed a 32-yarder off the upright.

The miss was the sophomore’s fourth of the season. Woody responded on Syracuse’s next possession with a 46-yard field goal to tie the game at 6, his longest make of the year. He ended the day 2 of 3 on field goals and made his lone extra point try.

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Despite mistakes from SU’s offense and special teams, the Orange defense excelled. Syracuse’s 18 points allowed were the fewest in a game since its 66-3 season-opening win over New Hampshire on Sept. 5.

SU also held Clemson quarterback Tait Reynolds to 161 yards. The freshman was picked off by Orange defensive back Davien Kerr. It was the sophomore’s fourth and the team’s fifth interception of the season.

Syracuse also sacked Reynolds three times and recovered a fumble after Clemson wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. muffed an Orange punt. Although Syracuse lost, Brown was pleased with his defense’s resilience.

“I thought they did an amazing job. I saw a couple of big plays that we gave up. The big plays created some points. At times, it was just field goals, but for them to go in the red area and not give up touchdowns, that meant a lot to us. It kept us in the game. It gave us an opportunity to have a chance to win,” Brown said.

With a bowl game still in the cards, Syracuse must win two of its final three games to become eligible. SU hits the road to take on NC State (4-5, 2-4 ACC) on Saturday, Nov. 14. The Wolfpack’s defense allows nearly 380 yards per game, the seventh most in the ACC. NC State gave up 461 total yards in its 41-3 loss to Duke on Saturday. Kickoff in Raleigh is set for noon. WAER’s pregame coverage begins with McClurg Remodeling Countdown to Kickoff at 11:30 a.m.