On October 12, 2017, Clemson (6-1), ranked number two in the ACC, played Syracuse (4-3) at The Carrier Dome in Syracuse, New York. Going into the game, Syracuse had not won against a number two team in 33 years.
Syracuse received the ball first, as well as their first penalty, delay of game, at the beginning of the first quater. Syracuse’s running back, Dontae Strickland, caught a screen pass and broke a tackle for a touchdown on 3rd and 15, but received a flag for unsportsmanlike conduct in the end zone. Syracuse led 7-0 with 11:39 left in the first quarter.
The last game in which Clemson allowed their opponent to score a touchdown in the first drive, which was last years game vs. Pittsburgh, Clemson lost. That was the only game in the last 50 games that Clemson lost to an unranked team.
Clemson got a first down with a pass to wide receiever, Hunter Renfrow. After a flag was called on the Syracuse defense, Clemson fired back with an easy touchdown by running back, Tavien Feaster. Wide receiver, Steve Ishmael, started the Syracuse drive off with a first down catch thrown by quarterback, Eric Dungey. Dungey threw a 66-yard pass to an open wide receiever, Ervin Phillips, who ran the ball into the end zone. Syracuse scored the extra point to put them ahead of Clemson 14-7. The first quarter ended with Syracuse leading 14-7, with Clemson receiving the ball at the beginning of the second quarter.
In the beginning of the second quarter, Syracuse fumbled the ball, and Clemson recovered the football for a touchdown and an extra point to tie the score. After a long drive, Syracuse responded to Clemson with a field goal to put them ahead with 3:49 left in the half. Clemson’s quarterback, Kelly Bryant, was carried off the field and into the locker room with a concussion with 40 seconds left in the first half. Syracuse led Clemson 17-14 going into halftime.
Clemson received the ball at the beginning of the second half, with Syracuse punting to the 42-yard line. Clemson took advantage of the short distance and tied the game with a field goal. Dungey completed a pass to Ishmael for a touchdown, and a one point conversion put Syracuse back in the lead with about seven minutes left in the third quarter. Clemson responded with a 52-yard touchdown by running back, Travis Etienne, and a one point conversion which tied the game at 24-24.
Syracuse started the fourth quarter with possession of the ball, and regained the lead with a field goal, putting them up 27-24 with 10 minutes left in the game. Clemson failed to execute a crucial fourth down conversion, putting Syracuse at the 41-yard line with five minutes left in the game. Syracuse continued to run down the clock, and at 1:27, Syracuse took a knee and upset the Clemson with 27-24 win
Both teams played well on defense, most notably Clemson’s defensive end, Clelin Ferrell, who ended the game with three and a half sacks. Both teams also played phenomenally on offense; however, Ishmael had the most impact on the Syracuse offense with a touchdown, six receptions, and 73 yards, putting him at the highest receptions and yards in the ACC this season. Although there were plenty of penalties committed by both teams, the biggest impact to the outcome of game was Clemson’s kicker. If six points had not been lost due to bad kicks, Clemson might have pulled off the win. With a bye week coming up, Clemson has enough time to find a new kicker and allow their quarterback to recover from his concussion. Hopefully, Clemson will be prepared to face Georgia Tech, while Syracuse prepares to face Miami next week.