Orange Takes Down Clemson on the Road

Saturday, September 20

Clemson, SC

12 PM

Syracuse University

3-1 , 1-0

Clemson

1-3 , 0-2

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Syracuse

Clemson

9/20/2025 4:00:00 PM | Football

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Syracuse scored 10 points before Clemson's offense was able to gain its first possession and never looked back, defeating the Tigers 34-21 at Memorial Stadium, for the program's first win in Death Valley.

The Orange (3-1, 1-0 ACC) held the Tigers (1-3, 0-2 ACC) to a combined 4-of-18 on third and fourth down, while quarterback Steve Angeli (18-of-31) threw for 244 yards and two scores offensively. Wide receiver Johntay Cook II led Syracuse with 113 receiving yards, while Yasin Willis rushed for 94 yards and Will Nixon covered 46 yards alongside a touchdown. Justus Ross-Simmons reeled in two touchdowns and had 53 yards receiving. Devin Grant led the defensive side, collecting 10 tackles. True freshman Antoine Deslauries forced a fumble on the Tigers own 16-yard line in the third quarter, leading the Orange to extend its lead on the recovery by Rashard Perry.

Special teams were also stellar, as 'Cuse converted on an onside kick and Tripp Woody made both field goal attempts.

Clemson was paced by 363 yards from Cade Klubnik, completing 37 of his 60 attempts and three touchdowns, but a costly interception by Davien Kerr late in the fourth quarter sealed the Tigers' fate. Adam Randall ran for 130 yards on the ground but Clemson's offense was held without a rushing touchdown all game as the Tigers fell to 1-3 for the first time since 2004.

Syracuse returns home to the JMA Wireless Dome next Saturday, September 27. Opening kickoff is set for noon on ACC Network. Tickets are available at Cuse.com/FootballTickets.

Guided by Angeli and a solid defensive effort, Syracuse jumped out to a 24-14, first-half lead, and held off the Tigers the rest of the way.

The Orange received the opening kickoff and began with an impressive drive, moving 75 yards in seven plays and getting on the board when wide receiver Ross-Simmons jumped over his defender to haul in a 12-yard touchdown pass from Angeli.

Syracuse wasn't done with the ball. On the subsequent kickoff, Jadyn Oh executed an onside kick and Greg Delaine recovered at the Syracuse 46-yard line. Angeli moved the Orange into Tiger territory, a series aided by his 15-yard, fourth-down conversion pass to wide receiver Johntay Cook II and back-to-back, 13-yard completions to tight end Dan Villari and Ross-Simmons that put the ball at the five-yard line. The drive resulted in a 23-yard field goal by Tripp Woody and a 10-0 Syracuse lead just 7:20 into the contest.

Clemson answered on its first possession, finishing a nine-play, 75-yard march on quarterback Cade Klubnik's 38-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Bryant Wesco Jr.

Coach Fran Brown's squad finished the first quarter and started the second period with another scoring drive. Angeli and wide receiver Darrell Gill Jr. teamed up on a 19-yard pass pay but otherwise the Orange relied on the ground game to extend the advantage. Running back Yasin Willis carried four times for 26 yards and running back Will Nixon ran four times for 30 yards, including a nine-yard dash to the end zone that put Syracuse ahead, 17-7.

After forcing a Clemson punt, Syracuse put points up for a fourth consecutive series. The Orange maneuvered 80 yards in nine plays, assisted by two roughing the passer penalties, and Angeli led Gill Jr. beautifully on a 22-yard touchdown pass that moved the margin to 24-7.

The Tiger defense stiffened, forcing consecutive Syracuse punts. Clemson then constructed the game's longest drive, traveling 92 yards on 13 plays and scoring when Klubnik found running back Adam Randall on six-yard scoring throw.

The two teams entered the intermission with Syracuse ahead, 24-14.

After halftime began, the contest was delayed 1 hour and 32 minutes because of lightning in the area.

Syracuse scored first following the break. The Orange defense forced a Clemson punt and Syracuse, thanks in part to a 59-yard pass from Angeli to Cook, added three points on a career-long 49-yard field goal by Woody.

The two combatants traded punts until the contest's first turnover. On first-and-10 from the Clemson 16, Randall carried but had the ball knocked out by linebacker Antoine Deslauriers, and defensive tackle Rashard Perry recovered at the 18.

Quarterback Ricky Collins, who had replaced an injured Angeli on the previous series, attacked on first down and connected with Ross-Simmons on an 18-yard touchdown pass, pushing the Orange advantage to 34-14 and 2:12 left on the third-quarter clock.

The host Tigers rallied in the fourth quarter. Klubnik threw to Bryant Wesco Jr. alone in the end zone for a nine-yard touchdown with 9:04 remaining in the contest, pulling Clemson closer at 34:21.

Davien Kerr picked off the ball on the Syracuse 34-yard line on a pass intended for Clemson's Christian Bentancur with 5:07 left in the fourth quarter.

On the final drive for the Tigers, Clemson fell short, turning it over on downs from the Tigers' own 45-yard line with 1:40 remaining in the game. Syracuse sealed the victory in its final possession, defeating Clemson for the first time since 2017.

Gallery: (9-20-2025) Syracuse at Clemson