Syracuse football had a golden opportunity to inch even closer to postseason bowl eligibility against Clemson at home on Saturday afternoon. The Orange hung with the Tigers throughout this Atlantic Coast Conference clash on Homecoming in Central New York.
It was a defensive slugfest with a lot of field goals, some missed field-goal attempts and not many touchdowns. In the end, though, Clemson prevailed by a final score of 18-13 with numerous Syracuse football four-star verbal commits and recruiting targets in attendance.
Saturday's setback snapped SU's two-game winning streak. Up next, the 'Cuse (4-5 overall, 2-5 in ACC) will travel to N.C. State on Saturday, Nov. 14. Clemson (6-3 overall, 4-2 in ACC), meanwhile, improved to 11-3 against Syracuse football in their all-time series together. The Orange must win two of its final three encounters to make a bowl game for the second time in head coach Fran Brown's three seasons at the program's helm.
Football is a team sport, so I never want to blame one person for a loss. However, fifth-year quarterback Steve Angeli really struggled against the Tigers. He completed just 18-of-40 pass attempts for 263 yards with one touchdown and one interception. Clemson sacked Angeli three times.
Syracuse football failed to get into the endzone on Saturday afternoon against Clemson.
The 'Cuse led the Tigers in various statistical categories, including 20-16 in first downs, 263-197 in passing yards and 380-359 in total yards. Clemson led 162-117 in rushing yards and had a five-minute edge in time of possession.
Both teams had a fumble and an interception. Each squad went 1-of-1 on 4th-down attempts. Syracuse went 6-of-17 on 3rd-down tries, while Clemson was 4-of-16 in that category. The Tigers committed six penalties for 49 yards. For SU, the team is getting better in that department, only committing five penalties for 51 yards on Saturday afternoon.
In the kicking arena, Syracuse football went 2-of-3 on field goals. Clemson also missed one field-goal attempt, although the Tigers were 4-of-5 overall.
Senior running back Ahmad Miller rushed 20 times for 101 yards. Through the air, fifth-year wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons hauled in four catches for 84 yards. Sophomore tight end Daunte Bacheyie caught six passes for 82 yards and one touchdown. Freshman wide receiver Calvin Russell III had five receptions for 80 yards.
On the defensive side, junior defensive back Davien Kerr tallied four solo tackles, five total tackles and an interception. Sophomore defensive back Demetres Samuel Jr. had five solo tackles, six total tackles and one pass breakup.
Sophomore defensive lineman Nissi Ogbebor was great. The Canadian product, who hails from Ottawa, Ontario, had five solo tackles, six total tackles and a sack.
Another standout on that side of the field was senior linebacker Keyshawn Johnson. Johnson, a transfer from UT Martin who was an FCS first-team All-American last season as a junior, produced four solo tackles, four total tackles, 2.0 tackles for a loss and one sack.
Add us as a preferred source on Google