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The first of Syracuse’s two key fourth downs against No. 1 Clemson didn’t go as planned.
Receiver and kick returner Nykeim Johnson took the direct snap in the shotgun from SU’s own 45-yard line but didn’t even make it halfway back to the line of scrimmage. Safety Joseph Charleston got a free release and wrapped up Johnson just two steps into his power run.
It’s possible that failure was on head coach Dino Babers’ mind for the second notable fourth down, when he elected to punt one yard from a first down late in the third quarter on SU’s 41-yard line, his team down 27-21.