Late-game penalties, questionable play calling stopped Syracuse from knocking off undefeated Clemson in Death Valley.
Syracuse had this one, they had it.
It was the first meeting between two undefeated teams 6-0 or better in the 81-year history of Clemson’s Memorial Stadium.
Two Top-25 teams going at it.
The home team, ranked No. 5, with the nation’s longest active win streak. The visiting team, ranked No. 14, ready to shock the college football world. Both teams, undefeated.
And for the first 30 minutes of this game, Syracuse held their end of the bargain.
But the defense imploded with penalties on defense and the offense stalled in the second half.
Clemson, despite four turnovers, won their ACC-record setting 38th straight game at home, 27-21, over Syracuse.
For the Tigers (8-0, 6-0 in the ACC), the victory was their 14th straight overall.
Meanwhile on the other side of the field, there’s not much to feel good about, at least there shouldn’t be.
At 6-1 on the season (3-1 in the ACC), Syracuse remains in good shape for bowl season. But they’ll board a flight home knowing they should’ve had this one.
The final scorecard will reflect Clemson beating Syracuse. However, there’s no disputing the obvious — on this Saturday in Death Valley, Syracuse beat themselves.
Clemson starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei threw two interceptions and fumbled once. Ja’ Had Carter scooped up the fumble and ran it back 90 yards for a Syracuse touchdown. Carter’s fumble recovery and score helped give the Orange a 21-10 halftime lead.
With the Tigers looking for a spark, and after another interception, head coach Dabo Swinney benched Uiagalelei for freshman quarterback Cade Klubnik.
And that’s where everything in this game began to go left for Syracuse and head coach Dino Babers. Because up until that moment, this game belonged to them, it was there’s to win. The winning football teams, find a way to leave no room for their opponent to get back up off the mat. The Orange are still learning how to do this.
It’s one thing to do it against Louisville or NC State, but Clemson is a different level.
Therefore, you can’t have Clemson, on 3rd and 25, get a first down from an unnecessary roughness flag on your defense. Then you don’t compound that with another personal foul by the defense. Ultimately, two crucial penalties by Syracuse led to Clemson closing the gap to 21-16. After a Syracuse punt, Will Shipley put the Tigers in front with a 50-yard sprint to the end zone for the go-ahead score.
Credit the Orange for showing some resiliency. Six of their seven 2nd-half offensive possessions resulted in a punt. On their seventh, the offense finally were able to move the chains. Quarterback Garrett Shrader, however, locked-in on wide receiver Oronde Gadsden one too many times. With three Clemson defenders covering, Shrader threw an interception which sealed the deal.
When it was all said and done, Syracuse racked up ten penalties for 88 yards. The offense, especially in the second half, was almost non-existent. Where was Sean Tucker and the run game? Baber’s clock management was suspect in the final five minutes, with a win still in reach.
“This is the first time we’ve tasted defeat and I want the taste out of my mouth and be back on the right side of it,” Babers said afterwards.
Baber has been around the game long enough to know what needs to happen in order to do that. His players must play better, and, frankly, he must coach better. If he succeeds at it, remains to be seen.
Because if Syracuse can’t get out of their own way, big games like this one will continue to have the same results.
Anthony Rushing is on Twitter @TonyRushingNY
Baseline Sports NY is on Twitter @Baseline_NY
