CLEMSON, S.C. — In a stunning turn of events, Syracuse defeated the heavily favored Clemson Tigers 34-21 on Saturday, marking one of the biggest upsets of the season. This loss sent Clemson to its worst start ever under head coach Dabo Swinney, who is now facing significant challenges as his team struggles to find its footing.
Quarterback Steve Angeli demonstrated impressive skill, throwing for 244 yards and two touchdowns before exiting the game due to a non-contact lower leg injury late in the third quarter. Angeli's first-half touchdown passes were caught by Justus Ross-Simmons and Darrell Gill Jr., while Will Nixon contributed with a 9-yard touchdown run. The Orange built a commanding 27-14 lead before Angeli's unfortunate departure, which is expected to sideline him for at least a couple of weeks.
After Angeli's exit, Rickie Collins stepped in and added a touchdown pass, solidifying the Orange's lead. Syracuse entered the game as a 17.5-point underdog but managed to control the pace throughout, never trailing. Coach Fran Brown expressed his gratitude for the victory against a storied program like Clemson, emphasizing the importance of the win for the Syracuse community. “I can’t wait to get back and see the community party and having fun tonight, especially our college students on campus,” he said, showcasing his excitement for the victory.
For Clemson, the road has been rocky. First-team preseason All-American Cade Klubnik struggled again, completing 37 of 60 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns, yet failing to find his rhythm consistently. The Tigers, who started the season ranked No. 4 in the nation, are now sitting at 1-3 for the first time since 2004, which marks a significant deviation from their expected trajectory. Adam Randall added 130 rushing yards and a touchdown, while Bryant Wesco Jr. caught two touchdown passes.
After the game, Swinney displayed visible frustration over his team's inability to play complementary football. “We are beat up emotionally and physically, but we will rally and get back to work,” he stated. “There is no quit in me or my team. We have to reset our goals.” This emotional day for Swinney and the Tigers is compounded by the fact that Clemson became the ninth team ranked in the top five of the Associated Press preseason poll to start the season with a disappointing 1-3 record, according to Sportradar.
Syracuse capitalized on two first-half gambles by Coach Brown and three critical penalties by Clemson to build a 24-14 halftime lead. Angeli's early touchdown to Ross-Simmons set the tone, followed by a successful onside kick that caught Clemson off guard. Brown's aggressive strategy paid off, allowing Syracuse to maintain control over the game.
As the season progresses, Syracuse will look to build on this momentum as they prepare to host Duke next Saturday. Meanwhile, Clemson aims to regroup as they head to North Carolina on October 4, hoping to turn their season around and reclaim their identity as a powerhouse in college football.
The matchup showcased the resilience of Syracuse and the vulnerabilities of Clemson, making for an unforgettable game that will be remembered by fans and analysts alike. Both teams have significant challenges ahead, but with the right adjustments, they can both find success as the season moves forward.
