CLEMSON, S.C. – A smothering second half by the defense and a season-best 293 rushing yards led No. 5/5 Clemson (8-0, 6-0 ACC) back from an 11-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat No. 14/14 Syracuse (6-1, 3-1 ACC), 27-21, in front of a sold-out homecoming crowd at Memorial Stadium. Will Shipley’s 50-yard touchdown run with 11:26 to play gave Clemson the lead for good, capping a 27-carry, 172-yard day for the sophomore. Fellow running back Phil Mafah registered 18 carries for 94 yards and a score.
“This is a special moment. A lot of adversity. Our team has showed that they can win a whole lot of different ways” said Head Coach Dabo Swinney. “This is a great team win. Shout out to the Valley. This is a historic win and I’m so grateful for it.”
Clemson won its 38th consecutive home game to take sole possession of the longest home winning streak in ACC history. Clemson’s defense held Syracuse scoreless and to only 119 total yards in the second half while piling up four of the team’s sacks on the day. The defense helped the Tigers overcome four turnovers, and did not allow a defensive point on any ensuing possessions after giveaways.
The Tiger defense produced five total three-and-outs, five sacks and nine tackles for a loss. Jalyn Phillips led Clemson with seven tackles, while Tyler Davis registered a career-high 2.0 sacks. Clemson held Syracuse to 291 total yards, while Clemson’s offense tallied a total of 450 yards.
Cade Klubnik sparked Clemson’s offense late in the third quarter, leading touchdowns on back-to-back drives and a two-point conversion. Clemson rushed a season-high 60 times for a season-high 293 yards.
Clemson’s defense kept Syracuse scoreless on the game’s opening possession and forced the Orange to turn the ball over on downs. On Clemson’s first offensive snap, Uiagalelei hit an open Davis Allen for 42 yards, moving Clemson to the Syracuse 26. Shipley finished the seven-play drive and pushed across the goal line for Clemson’s first touchdown of the game, putting Clemson up 7-0 with 7:45 to play in the first quarter.
Syracuse had an answer on the next possession, knotting the score at 7-7. The Tigers’ next drive was cut short by a Syracuse interception, but the defense held the Orange on the ensuing possession. Clemson took the ball inside the five-yard line on its next possession, but Syracuse’s Ja’Had Carter recovered a DJ Uiagalelei fumble and returned it 90 yards for…