Tag: Clemson vs. Syracuse

Clemson bounces back with a road win over Syracuse

Clemson walks away from Syracuse with a solid road win after an up-and-down performance.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers walked away from Syracuse with a solid 31-14 road win over the Orange. 

It was a strong first-half performance from the Clemson defense and offense. While the defense made stops and caused turnovers, the offense took advantage and put points on the board. 

At the end of the first half, the Tigers had a 21-7 lead and looked great as they dominated the half. Like many other games this season, Clemson failed to put together a complete performance and looked somewhat underwhelming in the second half. 

Clemson’s offense looked stale in the second half, playing like a team looking to hold a lead rather than extend it. That was before junior running back Phil Mafah decided he wanted to shut the door on a possible Syracuse comeback.

Following a massive Jeremiah Trotter Jr. interception, Mafah made the Orange pay for the turnover. On the drive’s first play, Mafah took a carry 32 yards to the house to seal the win for the Tigers. 

Starting quarterback Cade Klubnik had a strong performance, completing 23 of 37 passes for 263 yards and two touchdowns. Mafah and Will Shipley combined for 104 yards and two scores on the ground.

Freshman wide receiver Tyler Brown looked like a star in this performance. He recorded eight receptions for 151 yards.

Clemson’s defense put together another strong showing, with Trotter Jr. totaling 7 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 0.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. He and Barrett Carter (7 tackles, 0.5 sacks, 0.5 TFL) led the way for this stout defense. 

Clemson’s next matchup will host Wake Forest on Homecoming next Saturday at Memorial Stadium, with kickoff set for 3:30p.m.

Halftime Report: Clemson leads Syracuse 21-7 behind strong quarterback play

Clemson’s defense came to Syracuse to play as the Tigers lead the Orange 21-7 at the end of the first half.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers lead Dino Babers and Syracuse on the road 21-7 after a strong start from starting quarterback Cade Klubnik, along with Clemson’s defense. 

Clemson’s defense got things going early, with defensive end Justin Mascoll forcing a fumble with a monster hit, giving the Tigers the ball on their own 45. Cade Klubnik and the Tigers’ offense took advantage, going 7 plays for 55 yards, ending with a Klubnik laser to wide receiver Troy Stellato to give Clemson a 7-0 lead. 

The Tigers’ offense would be given another great opportunity by the defense after defensive end Xavier Thomas recovered a Syracuse fumble and returned it to the Orange’s three-yard line. Two plays after, Will Shipley scored a two-yard touchdown to extend the Clemson lead to 14-0. 

Syracuse would respond shortly after, putting together their best drive of the first half. Going 8 plays for 75 yards, Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader found Dan Villari for a 28-yard touchdown. 

After some time without a score for both teams, Clemson struck on a huge play near the end of the first half. Star wide receiver Beaux Collins ran a nasty route with a double move, dusting the Syracuse cornerback for a 47-yard touchdown and a 21-7 lead. 

Klubnik ended the half, completing 16 of 25 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns. The Tigers will look to continue their success in the second half.

Clemson takes a 7-0 lead over Syracuse behind an electric Cade Klubnik touchdown pass

Cade Klubnik and the Clemson offense took advantage of an opportunity the defense supplied.

Taking advantage of a turnover, Cade Klubnik worked magic in the red zone to give Clemson an early 7-0 lead.

The Tiger’s defense took the field first and set the Clemson offense up in a great position. Justin Mascoll forced a fumble with a monster hit, giving the Tigers the ball on their own 45.

Klubnik and the offense later went 7 plays for 55 yards, with a nice mix of running and passing the ball. On 3rd and 7 on the Syracuse 14, Klubnik escaped the pocket, making a Syracuse defender miss and delivering a strike to wide receiver Troy Stellato for the touchdown.

It was an excellent start for Dabo Swinney and the Tigers.

Kirk Herbstreit on how watching Clemson “just feels different” of late

Kirk Herbstreit discussed Clemson and how it feels different watching the program of late.

College football analyst Kirk Herbstreit has covered the game and the Clemson Tigers for years. 

Heading into the Tigers matchup today against Syracuse, Herbstreit discussed Clemson during this weekend’s College GameDay, explaining how this program feels different to watch of late. It is not the same Clemson we’ve seen during the Watson and Lawrence eras. 

“We can talk numbers all we want, but if you just watch Clemson this year, last year versus going back to Deshaun Watson era and of course with Trevor Lawrence, it just feels different,” Herbstreit said. “And it’s nothing against Cade (Klubnik). I think it’s more really about the perimeter. They’re still trying to find an identity with a new offensive coordinator.”

Even with the feeling, Herbstreit still knows the talent level present on this team. They were a field goal away from a huge win against Florida State, which would have had the conversations around the program very different. 

“Now, let’s not get this thing carried away,” the analyst said. “This is still a team; they’re a chipshot away from beating Florida State, and everybody talking about how great Clemson is on their way up to Syracuse. They fumbled twice inside the 10-yard line against Duke, and they threw a pick. So, they are self-destructing. But I’m just saying this isn’t like they’re still not a competitive team. I want to see their psyche, with two losses in September, going to Syracuse today.”

Clemson has a strong opportunity against Syracuse today at JMA Wireless Dome in Syracuse, N.Y, with kickoff set for noon.

Former Tiger Ben Boulware is not confident in Clemson heading into Week 5 against Syracuse

Ben Boulware is not confident in this Clemson team as they head to Syracuse for Week 5.

Former Clemson co-captain Ben Boulware knows a good bit about winning. 

Boulware was a member of Clemson’s 2016 National Championship as a key player on the defense. During his career with the program, Boulware recorded 52 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, five interceptions, 41 quarterback, winning 49 games in a Tigers uniform. 

With a strong history at Clemson, Boulware was recently on the WCCP The Roar “Out of Bounds Podcast,” sharing his thoughts on the Florida State loss and discussing Week 5 against Syracuse. Boulware is not pleased with what he’s seen from the Tigers this season and expects this team to lose more games with the direction they’re going. 

“Do I think we’re about to run the table for the rest of the year? I mean if I’m a betting man, I would say no,” the former Clemson linebacker said. “Unless we do something completely different, it’s about to be an 8-4, 7-5 team this year. That’s what it looks like right now.”

Clemson’s next opportunity to make a statement is against Syracuse on the road. Boulware knows how tough it is to play on the road against the Orange and is not confident in the Tigers heading into the matchup. 

“This is going to be a tough game against Syracuse. … My senior year, we went to Syracuse, and I played the worst game I’ve ever played in my entire life,” said Boulware. “We prepared for a spread offense, and then we go up there, and they’re running like a triple option. I begged coach (Brent) Venables to take me out of the game because I didn’t know what was going on,” Boulware said. “But that dome – it fits three people in it, but it gets loud. It’s super small. And they’re a 4-0 team right now. So I’m not feeling too confident go up to New York right now.” 

The concern is understandable, and Boulware certainly has a different insight than most as a former player. That being said, I feel this Clemson team has shown more promise than he’s leading on. He mentions how the Orange have “some freakin juice that we don’t have,” but I’d argue that isn’t true.

There’s no denying this isn’t the same program that Boulware was a part of, but the talent is there. They just need someone to step up and lead the team to success. 

Clemson can make a huge statement on Saturday with a win against Syracuse. 

Clemson’s Defensive X-Factor for Week 5 vs. Syracuse

Clemson’s star players must come to play for the Tigers to take down the Orange on the road.

Clemson travels to Syracuse on Saturday for a massive game for both programs, and a key to a win for the Tigers is another strong performance from this defense. 

In matchups like this, stars will need to come to play. Clemson is full of stars on the defensive side of the ball, but one player in particular will be a significant factor in the success of this team. 

Our Defensive X-Factor for Syracuse is All-American linebacker Jeremiah Trotter Jr. Through four games this season, Trotter leads the team in tackles with 23, adding a sack and a forced fumble. 

Syracuse has a strong offense led by a star quarterback in Garrett Shrader. They have proven to be successful through the air and on the ground this season but have yet to face talent like this Clemson defense has. 

The key to stopping this team is stopping Shrader, who leads the team in rushing as a quarterback. Of all the players who can slow a guy like this down, Trotter is one of the best. 

Trotter can do it all. He can pass rush, drop into coverage, and stuff the run. He will need to be all over the field on Saturday for Clemson to handle their business, and I expect just that. 

Clemson’s Offensive X-Factor for Week 5 vs. Syracuse

This freshman will need to continue to perform at a high level for the Tigers to walk away from Syracuse with a win.

Dabo Swinney spoke highly of this true freshman during the offseason, and we can see why through four games. 

Clemson’s matchup with Syracuse is a crucial one for both teams. Clemson is searching for their first conference win after starting 0-2 in the ACC while also looking to avoid going under .500, which would be about as shocking of a start imaginable for Clemson in 2023. For Syracuse, this undefeated team is looking to kick off their in-conference play with a huge win over the Tigers. 

A key to a Clemson win could come from our freshman Offensive X-Factor, Tyler Brown. This young wide receiver has been a revelation early in his career, and with the status of Antonio Williams still uncertain, Brown could be in for another big Saturday. 

In his first four appearances with the Tigers, Brown has recorded 12 catches for 163 yards and two touchdowns. Looking better by the week, the freshman runs clean routes and is explosive in open space. 

Even if Williams is healthy, there are no doubts that Brown will be a part of the game plan. For Clemson to walk away from JMA Wireless Dome with their first ACC win, Brown must have another strong showing.

Our staff score predictions for Clemson vs. Syracuse

Our staff score predictions for Clemson’s away Week 5 matchup with Syracuse.

Dabo Swinney and the Tigers need a win to get back on track. Their next opportunity comes on the road against Dino Babers and Syracuse. 

Clemson (2-2, 0-2 ACC) is looking for their first win in the ACC this season, while Syracuse (4-0, 0-0) looks to do the same while maintaining an undefeated season. Both sides head into this matchup with strong motivation and expectations that this game will be a close one. 

The Orange have often been competitive with the Tigers, though Swinney is 9-1 in his last ten against them. While they keep games close in many of these games, Clemson has been the one to find the way to win. 

As we do every week, the staff gathered and made score predictions for Saturday’s matchup noon matchup against Syracuse. Here is a look at what we are thinking heading into Week 5 against the Orange.

Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader believes the Orange have everything they need to beat Clemson

Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader believes the Orange have all the tools to take down the Tigers on Saturday.

Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader is confident in his team and believes that the Orange have everything needed to take down Clemson at home on Saturday. 

Where have I heard this before? Ah, yes. Last season, Shrader thought it was the Orange’s year to take down the Tigers... which they didn’t. All jokes aside, last season was a close matchup where Clemson had to come from behind for the win. 

There is a real chance that this could be the year Shrader gets it done, but it will not be easy. Clemson (2-2, 0-2 ACC) is looking for their first conference win, and Syracuse (4-0, 0-0 ACC) has a tough assignment to open conference play. Even so, the fifth-year quarterback feels confident in his team.

“Last year, we played Clemson, we had six or seven starters out – and they were done for the year,” said Shrader. “We got the depth, we got guys coming back. We got everything we need. Now we got to just go out and play, and we’re talented enough, and we can do it. So, we just got to make sure we show up ready to play on Saturday, and we can go out. We can beat these guys.”

On any given Saturday, something crazy can happen. While the Tigers enter this matchup as the favorite, they were the same in their Week 1 road loss to Duke. 

Even with the possibility of anupset, this is a different Clemson team than we saw in Week 1. They are only getting better, and they are hungry for a recovery win after their tough loss to Florida State.

Considering both team’s situation and the talent on each roster, this is shaping up to be an exciting game. 

Greg McElroy breaks down Clemson vs. Syracuse in Week 5

Greg McElroy shares his thoughts on the upcoming matchup between Clemson and Syracuse.

Dabo Swinney and Clemson travel to Syracuse Saturday to face off with the Orange in JMA Wireless Dome, with kickoff set for Noon. 

Clemson vs. Syracuse has delivered some excellent games in recent memory, and expectations are that this Week 5 matchup should be another great one. During an episode of his Always College Football show, college football analyst Greg McElroy shared his thoughts on the upcoming matchup. 

“I think Syracuse is playing good football right now, but they’re completely untested. I don’t know what to expect,” the analyst said. “I think Clemson is still legit. Are they elite, crazy elite? No, I don’t think they are. I think they’re gettable, but you’re going to have to win the turnover battle, and you’re going to have to neutralize what is, I think, a ridiculously good defensive front – really, really good. So, if Syracuse can do that, I feel a whole lot better about their prospects. But it’s going to be a tough one, for sure, I think, for Cuse there in the dome.”

Clemson has been great against the Orange with Dabo Swinney as head coach, but the games have been close. With a 9-1 record against Syracuse, four of the last six matchups have ended as one-score games. 

“Obviously, we remember back to last year’s game, it was kind of a close game,” McElroy said. “They wouldn’t give Sean Tucker the ball. It was a weird game. Cade Klubnik came in, then they drew the late hit out of bounds, and the next thing you know, they were within striking distance. But it was just kind of a herky-jerky game, and obviously, the wheels came off for Syracuse from that point forward.”

I believe Clemson has the talent to take down Syracuse comfortably. Still, this game hasn’t come too easy for the Tigers of recent. Expect a close battle in Syracuse on Saturday.