Clemson didn’t need an offensive touchdown to walk out of the JMA Wireless Dome with a win. Its defense handled the heavy lifting, and Jahiem Lawson delivered the play that broke Syracuse’s back in an 18-13 Tigers victory on Saturday.
The result kept Clemson (6-3, 4-2 ACC) in the ACC race and left Syracuse (4-5, 2-5) needing two wins in its final three games to reach bowl eligibility. The Orange also lost the game in front of a Homecoming crowd after trying to juice attendance following last week’s win over nationally ranked SMU.
Lawson’s 22-yard fumble return for a touchdown came after Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli was ruled to have thrown a backwards pass under pressure from the Clemson defense. Officials reviewed the play and, as noted on the television broadcast, there was no clear evidence to overturn the call. That score pushed Clemson ahead 18-6 with 6:49 left in the third quarter.
From there, the Tigers’ defense kept control of the game. Clemson matched Syracuse with a defensive touchdown of its own and never allowed the Orange to find enough rhythm to pull even.
Angeli finished 18 of 40 for 263 yards, one touchdown and two turnovers. His 45% completion rate was his worst as a starting quarterback. Syracuse totaled 380 yards, its lowest output since the loss to Pittsburgh on Sept. 17, the only time it has been beaten soundly this season.
Umari Hatcher, who has been excellent all year, was held to two catches for 12 yards. Ashton Hampton shadowed him throughout the afternoon and made life miserable for the Syracuse receiver.
Syracuse’s lone touchdown came late, when Angeli hit Daunte Bacheyie on a 33-yard scoring pass with 3:12 remaining. That set up a tense 3rd-and-8 with 2:43 to go, but Clemson quarterback Tait Reynolds shut the door with a 10-yard quarterback draw straight through the middle of the Orange defense.
The first half was all about field position, pressure and missed chances. Neither team reached the end zone before halftime, though Clemson still carried a 9-6 lead after the teams traded field goals.
The Tigers made the most of a few explosive plays early, starting their first two drives with 53-yard gains - a 53-yard run by Jarvis Green, who was tracked down by Demetres Samuel Jr., and a 53-yard play-action completion from Reynolds to Bryant Wesco Jr. Clemson also picked up a 36-yard gain on a wide receiver pass.
Syracuse’s defense had its moments too, but Clemson’s front set the tone in a game that never really opened up.
Notes: Syracuse starting right guard Jayden Mann was injured on a field goal with 6:15 remaining in the first quarter and did not return. He was primarily replaced by Byron Washington.
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