Clemson’s defense came up with the big plays when it mattered most Saturday afternoon, helping the Tigers hold off Syracuse 18-13 at the JMA Wireless Dome to earn their second consecutive victory.
The win improved Clemson to 6-3 overall and 4-2 in Atlantic Coast Conference play, making the Tigers bowl eligible. Syracuse dropped to 4-5 overall and 2-5 in the ACC.
While Clemson’s offense struggled to find the end zone, the Tigers relied on a strong defensive performance and the kicking of Nolan Hauser, who connected on four field goals, including a 54-yarder.
Clemson jumped out to an early 3-0 lead on Hauser’s 32-yard field goal before Syracuse answered with a field goal of its own. Hauser added another from 36 yards to give the Tigers a 6-3 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
The two teams continued trading field goals in the second quarter, with Clemson taking a narrow 9-6 lead into halftime.
Hauser extended Clemson’s lead to 12-6 in the third quarter when he drilled a 54-yard field goal, his fourth successful attempt of the afternoon.
The biggest play of the game came later in the third quarter when Clemson defensive lineman Kourtney Kelly forced a fumble by Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli. Jahiem Lawson scooped up the loose football and raced 22 yards into the end zone, giving the Tigers an 18-6 advantage.
Syracuse refused to go away and threatened to cut into Clemson’s lead in the fourth quarter. However, the Tigers’ defense came through again when Ashton Hampton intercepted Angeli in the end zone, ending a promising Orange scoring opportunity.
The Orange eventually found the end zone when Angeli connected with Daunte Bacheyie on a 33-yard touchdown pass with 3:12 remaining, cutting Clemson’s lead to 18-13.
With Syracuse needing one final defensive stop, Clemson freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds used his legs to keep the chains moving and run out the clock, preserving the five-point victory.
Reynolds finished the afternoon with 161 passing yards while adding 61 yards on the ground. Running back Jarvis Green led Clemson’s rushing attack with 85 yards, while wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr. hauled in six passes for 100 yards.
Clemson finished with 359 yards of total offense but failed to score an offensive touchdown.
Defensively, the Tigers recorded three sacks and forced two turnovers. Hampton led Clemson with eight solo tackles and the crucial fourth-quarter interception.
For Syracuse, Angeli threw for 263 yards and a touchdown, while Ahmad Miller led the Orange rushing attack with 101 yards.
The victory was Clemson’s sixth consecutive win in ACC road games and gave head coach Dabo Swinney’s Tigers some much-needed momentum heading into the final stretch of the regular season.
UP NEXT: Clemson returns home to Death Valley this Saturday, November 14, to host the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets in its final ACC home game of the season. Airtime on Kool 102.7 is set for 9:30am with Kickoff scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at Memorial Stadium.
