Syracuse Football Report Card: Here’s how SU performed vs Clemson

The Syracuse football team got the biggest win in the 21st century. ITLH breaks down how the team performed on their weekly report card here.

The Syracuse football team pulled off the unthinkable Friday night in the Dome upsetting another blue-blood ACC power program and defending national champions in the Clemson Tigers. Eric Dungey was everywhere Friday night making plays with his arm and his feet.

The play that really told me that Syracuse was going to be in this game until the end, came when Dungey scrambled for 45-yards down the sideline on the Orange’s second drive of the quarter, after Clemson had tied the game at 17. This was a huge play and returned whatever momentum that had been lost after Clemson tied the game. Two plays after the run, Dungey showed off his arm and hit Steve Ishmael for a 30-yard TD on a perfectly placed ball and the Orange regained the lead.

Dungey threw for two more touchdowns to Dontae Strickland and Ervin Philips, and was involved in all seven of Syracuse’s plays of over more than 20 yards. Ravian Pierce once again had a good game at tight end catching four passes for 68 yards and Jamal Custis returned from injury to catch a pass for 15 yards.

The story of the game really was all about third down efficiency for Syracuse on both offense and defense. The Orange converted on third down 8 times out of 19. Conversely on defense held Clemson to just 2 conversions on 11 tries. On fourth down Syracuse once again was excellent converting on their only two tries and stopping Clemson the one time they tried to convert.

This is a marquee win that will hopefully lead to the Syracuse getting commits from the athletes necessary in order to become a successful team in the ACC. I’m also very happy for the seniors who never experienced a bowl game or that much success in their time here. Guys like Zaire Franklin, Parris Bennett, Steve Ishmael, Jamar McGloster, and Erv Philips all have had great individual careers but not much success to show for it in the win and loss column.

Syracuse’s upset was a combination of great coaching and great on the field play. Dino Babers and his staff had the team ready and prepared. Let’s see what players stepped up for Syracuse and propelled the Orange to their biggest upset since 1984.