Defense, Gallman carry Tigers to 16-6 win over Syracuse |
CLEMSON – Clemson just keeps winning with defense.
The Tigers held Syracuse to just 170 total yards – including 88 yards on 34 rushes – and the offense made just enough plays for Clemson to hold off the Orange 16-6 Saturday evening on Homecoming in Death Valley. The win means the Tigers (6-2, 4-1 ACC) are bowl eligible in October for the fourth straight season. Syracuse was just 3-for-16 on third down, and in the last three games Clemson’s defense has held opponents to just 6-for-47 on third down. Clemson had to overcome four turnovers - two interceptions and two fumbles - in order to claim the win. Syracuse actually held a 6-3 halftime lead on the strength of three Clemson turnovers, but the Tigers managed to find a way to get points in the second half.
Cole StoudtCole Stoudt Clemson actually ran the last 8:17 off the game clock, using 15 running plays to get the ball inside the Syracuse 10 before Stoudt took a knee to end the game. The Tigers are off next Saturday, and will play at Wake Forest on Thursday, Nov. 6th. Clemson’s first two drives ended in punts, but the third drive started in Syracuse territory. It lasted just one play, however, as Stoudt threw up a prayer that was intercepted by the Orange deep in Syracuse territory. The Orange responded with a 13-play drive that ended with a 43-yard field goal, and Syracuse led 3-0 late in the first quarter. Both offenses continued to struggle, but the Tigers finally put together a drive late in the second quarter, a drive that ended with a 38-yard
Ammon LakipAmmon Lakip
Robert SmithRobert Smith The Tigers forced a punt, but Stoudt fumbled on the Tigers’ next play and Syracuse took over at the Clemson 25. The Orange lost six yards on the drive, but Cole Murphy hit a career-long 50-yard field goal and Syracuse led 6-3 at intermission. The Tigers punted on the first possession of the second half, but
Stephone AnthonyStephone Anthony And went backwards. A bad snap took the Tigers out of field goal range, and Clemson was forced to punt. Stephone Anthony had an interception later in the quarter that gave the Tigers the ball near midfield, and it took Clemson whopping 12 plays to go just 49 yards and the drive ended with an 18-yard Lakip field goal that tied the score at 6-6 with 6:36 remaining in the third quarter. Clemson’s defense forced a short punt, and the Tigers managed a 41-yard Lakip field goal that made it 9-6 Clemson with 3:24 remaining in the third quarter for the Tigers’ first lead of the game. Clemson’s defense held on the ensuing possession, and another short punt enabled the Tigers drive down the field, but this time the drive ended in a touchdown. Stoudt hit Seckinger on a 19-yard pass down the left sideline, and the Tigers ended a streak of seven quarters without a touchdown at home and led 16-6 barely 30 seconds into the fourth quarter.
Sr. Quarterback
#18 6-4, 231
Dublin, OH
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24-for-35 for 209 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions through the air, but
Wayne GallmanWayne Gallman
RS Fr. Running Back
#9 6-1, 209
Loganville, GA
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had a career night. Gallman carried the ball 28 times for 101 yards, a season-high for a Clemson running back.
RS Jr. Kicker
#36 5-10, 200
Alpharetta, GA
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field goal that tied the score at 3-3.
Sr. Safety
#27 5-11, 211
St. George, SC
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intercepted a pass on Syracuse’s next possession, and the Tigers took over deep in Orange territory with an excellent chance to score. The Tigers used a couple of nifty
C.J. DavidsonC.J. Davidson
RS Jr. Running Back
#32 5-10, 203
Clemson, SC
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runs to move inside the 15-yard line, but a quick pitch to Davidson was fumbled. Instead of falling on the loose ball, Davidson tried in vain to pick it up, but Syracuse recovered and another Clemson drive ended without points.
Sr. Linebacker
#42 6-2, 244
Polkton, NC
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forced a fumble that was recovered by
MacKensie AlexanderMacKensie Alexander
RS Fr. Cornerback
#2 5-11, 190
Immokalee, FL
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, and the Tigers had it at the Syracuse 31 yard line.
Score by Quarters 1 2 3 4 Score
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