Rapid Reactions to Clemson Upset Loss to Syracuse

The defensive issues unraveled from there, when Darrell Gill Jr. snuck past Clemson’s one-high man coverage to haul in a slot fade and stretch the lead to 24–7.

Before halftime, Klubnik cut the deficit by tossing a six-yard scramble-drill touchdown to Adam Randall to make it 24–14. 

After a quick (and rare) defensive stop, the Tigers had the chance to shorten the gap even more, but a mismanaged clock at the end of the half wound up costing Clemson a chance to pull closer.

Offense Shows Encouraging Signs, Still Not Rising To The Occasion

Klubnik finished with 363 yards and three touchdowns on 58 attempts, showing poise and resilience even though he was playing from behind since the moment that he touched the ball. He’s continued to build chemistry with Wesco Jr., who caught six passes for 79 yards and two scores. This season, Wesco Jr. has caught 18 passes for 310 yards and three touchdowns.

Newly converted running back Adam Randall ran with patience and power as he continued to develop a sense of comfort in the backfield. 

The former wide receiver used every bit of his 6-foot-2 and 230-pound frame to rush for 130 yards while averaging 8.1 yards per carry. After a rough season opener, Randall has exhibited trust in his offensive line, patiently waiting for plays to develop before bursting through the line.

While the stat sheet reflects a solid offensive performance, they struggled to capitalize when it mattered most. The Tigers converted just 3-of-13 third downs and turned the ball over on downs three times, leaving them virtually no chance to keep up with Syracuse’s dynamic offense.

Defense Leaves Big Questions

Meanwhile, Syracuse’s offense continued to expose Clemson’s man coverage. Even after Angeli left with a non-contact injury in the third quarter, backup Ricky Collins continued to pick apart the Tigers' defense. 

A 22-yard touchdown to Justus Ross-Simmons made it 34–14, effectively putting the game out of reach. The decision to stay in man coverage despite being burned repeatedly was costly, with defensive backs Ashton Hampton and Jeadyn Lukus repeatedly losing one-on-one battles in critical situations. 

For a front seven that was once considered among the nation’s best, Clemson was bullied up front, giving up 150 rushing yards. Although he was viewed as the top player at his position heading into the season, edge rusher T.J. Parker wasn’t much of a factor in the pass-rushing game, finishing with just two solo tackles.

Editor's note: ​​Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800-GAMBLER.

More From Clemson Tigers on SI