Syracuse struck first and never trailed, using a balanced offensive attack to silence the Memorial Stadium crowd. Quarterback Steve Angeli set the tone with a 12-yard touchdown strike to Justus Ross-Simmons, and the Orange kept Clemson on its heels.
By halftime, Syracuse had built a 24–14 lead behind Angeli’s two touchdown passes and a nine-yard scoring run from Will Nixon. Clemson’s lone highlight of the half came when Cade Klubnik connected with Bryant Wesco Jr. for a 38-yard score and later hit Adam Randall from six yards out to briefly cut into the deficit.
Third-Quarter Collapse Sinks Tigers
Any hopes of a Clemson rally were snuffed out in the third quarter.