Clemson Capitalizes Off Turnovers to Hand 'Cuse First Loss

Saturday, September 30

Syracuse, N.Y.

12 PM

Syracuse University

4-1 , 0-1

Clemson

3-2 , 1-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Clemson

Syracuse

Clemson Capitalizes Off Turnovers to Hand 'Cuse First Loss

9/30/2023 3:34:00 PM | Football

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Syracuse football dropped its first game of the season, falling 31-14 at the JMA Wireless Dome against Clemson.

The Tigers' 21 points off 'Cuse turnovers proved to be the difference in the contest, converting all three of the Orange's miscues (two of which in their own territory), for scores.

Garrett Shrader completed 15 of his 29 attempts for Syracuse (4-1, 0-1 ACC) for 181 yards and two touchdowns. LeQuint Allen Jr. led the Orange ground attack with 52 yards. Allen also caught six balls for 38 yards and a touchdown. Dan Villari reeled in his first career touchdown, paired with 65 yards receiving.

Defensively, Justin Barron led Syracuse with eight tackles. Caleb Okechukwu was in on four tackles, including three for a loss, and one quarterback hurry. Marlowe Wax moved up the career charts with his seventh forced fumble, now tied for fourth all-time at Syracuse. Alijah Clark had two of the six pass breakups for the Orange.

Syracuse now hits the road for just the second time of the season, taking on No. 15 North Carolina next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. at Kenan Stadium, on either ABC or ESPN (to be announced on Monday).

After recovering a 'Cuse fumble near midfield on the opening drive, Clemson went 55 yards for a 7-0 lead, aided by a pass interference call. Cade Klubnik completed three of his four passes across 20 yards on the drive.

Clemson's next possession started at midfield after three-and-out and Syracuse punt, but the Orange defense held Clemson to just five yards for the first Tiger three-and-out of the game. Barron had a two-yard tackle for loss to end the drive for Clemson. A kick-catch interference call against Clemson put the Orange at their own 23-yard line to start the next drive. A lost fumble, returned to the 'Cuse 2-yard line gave Clemson the chance to take a 14-0 lead with six minutes to play in the first.

On its fourth possession of the game, Syracuse's offense settled in and picked up chunk plays, including a Shrader-to-Villari 37-yard pass-and-catch down the right sideline. Down near the Clemson red zone, Shrader hit Villari with a back-shoulder pass. The 6-foot 4-inch Villari shed several would-be tackles before finding the end zone and cutting the lead to 14-7, capping the eight-play, 75-yard drive. The touchdown pass from Shrader was his 33rd at Syracuse, moving him into sole possession of sixth all-time for the Orange in the category.

Okechukwu was a force on the next defensive stand for the Orange, driving the Tigers back 10 yards with a tackle for loss and a nine-yard sack on third down, forcing a Clemson punt.

After stopping 'Cuse on the ensuing possession, Clemson drove all the way down to the five yard line, but a defensive stand held them scoreless.

Late in the second quarter, Clemson picked up a 21-7 lead with 2:23 to play. Klubnik hit Beaux Collins down the right side for a 47-yard touchdown. As time wound down on the half, Clemson missed a 43-yard field goal attempt, taking a 21-7 lead into the locker room.

Opening the second half, Clemson drove deep into Orange territory, aided by a 47-yard pass. The defense held firm after that with back-to-back tackles for a loss from Alijah Clark and Okechukwu in succession. The Tigers converted 38-yard field goal to take a 24-7 lead four minutes into the third quarter. The teams traded short-lived possessions through the remainder of the third quarter as the score remained the same.

On the third play of the fourth quarter, the 'Cuse defense came up with a timely turnover. Jayden Bellamy picked up a Clemson fumble along the Syracuse sideline, returning it 13 yards into Tiger territory. Six plays later, the Orange offense capitalized on the miscue, as Shrader hit Allen for a six-yard touchdown pass. The score was set up by a 35-yard catch from Damien Alford, extending his consecutive games with a catch streak to 15 in a row. The score cut Clemson's lead to 10, 24-14, with 12:23 to go.

That's as close as 'Cuse would get. Jeremiah Trotter Jr.'s leaping interception halted the Orange momentum, and Clemson pushed its lead to 31-14 after an interception. Phil Mafah ran for a 32-yard touchdown, sealing the score for the day.