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CUSE |
CLEM |
Down 2 QBs, No. 3 Clemson rallies past Syracuse, 27-23
CLEMSON, S.C. (AP) Should No. 3 Clemson fulfill its championship aspirations this season, prepare to hear plenty about ''The Drive.''
With new starting quarterback Trevor Lawrence knocked out of the game, reserve Chase Brice - who was about sixth on the depth chart last January - guided a 94-yard, fourth-quarter scoring drive that ended with Travis Etienne's 2-yard touchdown run with 41 seconds and gave the Tigers a 27-23 victory against Syracuse on Saturday.
''I'll never forget this one,'' Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. ''Some might say it's the fifth game of the year, but it's more than that. I saw a team that didn't quit.''
This one was hard to forget, both for the week Clemson (5-0, 2-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) endured in going from having one too many starting-caliber QBs to having none by the fourth quarter to the game's dramatic finish.
Lawrence, a 6-foot-6 five-star freshman, supplanted senior Kelly Bryant as starter. A day later, Bryant said he was transferring and that he felt he did not get a fair shake at keeping the job.
Then in the second quarter, a shaky Lawrence took hard hit to the head, wobbled to the sidelines and did not return.
Things looked bleak for the Tigers when Eric Dungey's second 1-yard rushing TD put Syracuse up 23-13 with less than 13 minutes left. That's when Clemson put together a pair of touchdown drives to stay unbeaten and avoid a second straight season of being upset by Syracuse.
Etienne answered Dungey's score less than two minutes later with a 26-yard run that cut it to 23-20.
Five minutes later, Clemson embarked on what might turn out to be the season's defining drive.
''I think I'll remember that forever,'' co-offensive coordinator Jeff Scott said.
That was apparent. Brice, a redshirt freshman with eight career passes before Saturday, completed a 20-yard pass to Tee Higgins on fourth-and-6 to keep the drive going. Brice ran for 17 yards to get the Tigers inside the 20. And Etienne carried it across the goal line to send Memorial Stadium into a frenzy.
''They told us someone had to step up,'' said Etienne, a sophomore who had a career high 203 yards and three TDs. ''We all decided it had to be us.''
Dungey was sacked twice by freshman Xavier Thomas on Syracuse's final drive. The Orange (4-1, 1-1) were trying for their first 5-0 start since 1987. Dungey finished with two rushing touchdowns. He was 26 of 41 passing for 250 yards and an interception.
The win capped an odd week for the Tigers, who lost a popular, charismatic leader - and potential safety net in Lawrence's absence - in Bryant. And now Lawrence's status is up in the air. The crowd went silent as Lawrence lay on the turf after getting hit hard to the head in the second quarter.
Swinney said Bryant would be welcome back to the team if he changed his mind. A new NCAA rule allows players to participate in four games and still take a redshirt season. Bryant's plan is to redshirt this season and transfer to another school, where he would eligible to play immediately next season because he has already graduated.
Lawrence, the former five-star recruit, was so-so in his starting debut. Lawrence fumbled on his second snap and 10 of 15 for 93 yards. Brice entered right before halftime and finished with 83 yards passing.
Clemson right guard Sean Pollard, a junior, said the team was disappointed by Bryant's departure. But Swinney and the coaches kept players informed about everything. Whispers of a divided locker room were nonsense, Pollard said. ''People just don't know anything about us if they thought that,'' he said.
Lawrence has concussion-like symptoms, Swinney said. He wanted to return, but the coach told him, '''You don't mess with that.'''
THE TAKEAWAY
Syracuse: The Orange had chances to put this one away and make it two straight victories against Clemson, but could not overcome the Tigers' talented defense in the second half.
Clemson: The Tigers would surely love a bye week so Lawrence could heal and the players could have some to absorb their chaotic week. This victory should help galvanize the team as it goes for a fourth straight ACC crown.
DISAPPOINTED ORANGE
Dungey said the team was upset about its loss, but eager to return to work and show there's substance behind their 4-0 start. ''We're not going to let this one get to us, although it hurts right now,'' he said.
MISSING TIGERS
Clemson announced shortly before kickoff two reserves in cornerback Mark Fields and receiver Cornell Powell would not play.
UP NEXT
Syracuse finishes a two-game road swing at Pittsburgh next Saturday.
Clemson heads to Wake Forest next Saturday.
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Team Stats | ||
---|---|---|
1st Downs | 12 | 28 |
Rushing | 4 | 19 |
Passing | 8 | 8 |
Penalty | 0 | 1 |
3rd Down Conv | 3-15 | 5-15 |
4th Down Conv | 1-2 | 2-2 |
Total Net Yards | 303 | 444 |
Total Plays | 67 | 82 |
Avg Gain | 4.5 | 5.4 |
Net Yards Rushing | 61 | 293 |
Rush Attempts | 26 | 53 |
Avg Rush Yards | 2.3 | 5.5 |
Yards Passing | 250 | 176 |
Comp. - Att. | 26-41 | 17-29 |
Yards Per Pass | 5.9 | 5.2 |
Penalties - Yards | 5-31 | 3-16 |
Touchdowns | 2 | 3 |
Rushing TDs | 2 | 3 |
Passing TDs | 0 | 0 |
Other | 0 | 0 |
Turnovers | 1 | 3 |
Fumbles - Lost | 0-0 | 3-2 |
Int. Thrown | 1 | 1 |
Punts - Avg | 7-48.6 | 4-40.3 |
Return Yards | 3 | 70 |
Punts - Returns | 0-0 | 2--2 |
Kickoffs - Returns | 0-0 | 3-52 |
Int. - Returns | 1-3 | 1-20 |
Safeties | 0 | 0 |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
E. DungeyÂ
2 QB
|
E. Dungey | 26/41 | 250 | 0 | 1 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
S. RileyÂ
10 WR
|
S. Riley | 2 | 24 | 0 | 19 | ||||||||||||||||||||
M. NealÂ
21 RB
|
M. Neal | 7 | 21 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. DungeyÂ
2 QB
|
E. Dungey | 13 | 11 | 2 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||
J. HowardÂ
28 RB
|
J. Howard | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
D. StricklandÂ
4 RB
|
D. Strickland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
J. CustisÂ
17 WR
|
J. Custis | 0 | 5 | 73 | 0 | 31 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. HarrisÂ
80 WR
|
T. Harris | 0 | 3 | 66 | 0 | 51 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. ButlerÂ
5 WR
|
D. Butler | 0 | 5 | 45 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
M. NealÂ
21 RB
|
M. Neal | 0 | 5 | 26 | 0 | 18 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
N. JohnsonÂ
82 WR
|
N. Johnson | 0 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 12 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
S. RileyÂ
10 WR
|
S. Riley | 0 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 9 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
D. StricklandÂ
4 RB
|
D. Strickland | 0 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 6 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
K. ColemanÂ
55 DL
|
K. Coleman | 2-0 | 2.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
E. FosterÂ
14 DB
|
E. Foster | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. SlaytonÂ
95 DL
|
C. Slayton | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. WilliamsÂ
21 DB
|
T. Williams | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
A. SzmytÂ
91 K
|
A. Szmyt | 3/3 | 51 | 2/2 | 11 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
S. HofrichterÂ
10 P
|
S. Hofrichter | 7 | 48.6 | 4 | 55 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
Passing | CP/ATT | YDS | TD | INT |
T. LawrenceÂ
16 QB
|
T. Lawrence | 10/15 | 93 | 0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
C. BriceÂ
7 QB
|
C. Brice | 7/13 | 83 | 0 | 1 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. RodgersÂ
3 WR
|
A. Rodgers | 0/1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Rushing | ATT | YDS | TD | LG |
T. EtienneÂ
9 RB
|
T. Etienne | 27 | 203 | 3 | 26 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. ChoiceÂ
26 RB
|
A. Choice | 9 | 58 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. FeasterÂ
28 RB
|
T. Feaster | 9 | 44 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||
B. Dawkins Jr.Â
9 CB
|
B. Dawkins Jr. | 1 | 2 | 0 | 2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
C. BriceÂ
7 QB
|
C. Brice | 3 | -2 | 0 | 17 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. LawrenceÂ
16 QB
|
T. Lawrence | 4 | -9 | 0 | 7 |
Receiving | TAR | REC | YDS | TD | LG |
T. HigginsÂ
5 WR
|
T. Higgins | 0 | 4 | 53 | 0 | 20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
H. RenfrowÂ
13 WR
|
H. Renfrow | 0 | 3 | 45 | 0 | 28 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
J. RossÂ
8 WR
|
J. Ross | 0 | 3 | 40 | 0 | 16 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
A. RodgersÂ
3 WR
|
A. Rodgers | 0 | 4 | 27 | 0 | 11 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. FeasterÂ
28 RB
|
T. Feaster | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. ChaseÂ
18 WR
|
T. Chase | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 6 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
T. EtienneÂ
9 RB
|
T. Etienne | 0 | 1 | -3 | 0 | -3 |
Defense | T-A | SACK | INT |
X. ThomasÂ
3 DE
|
X. Thomas | 1-0 | 1.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
R. Mac LainÂ
37 RB
|
R. Mac Lain | 1-0 | 0.0 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||
A. TerrellÂ
8 CB
|
A. Terrell | 0-0 | 0.0 | 1 |
Kicking | FG | LG | XP | PTS |
G. HuegelÂ
92 K
|
G. Huegel | 2/3 | 43 | 3/3 | 9 |
Punting | NO | AVG | IN20 | LG |
W. SpiersÂ
48 P
|
W. Spiers | 4 | 40.3 | 3 | 49 |
Kickoff Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
D. KendrickÂ
10 WR
|
D. Kendrick | 1 | 14.0 | 14 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
L. DixonÂ
23 RB
|
L. Dixon | 1 | 16.0 | 16 | 0 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
A. RodgersÂ
3 WR
|
A. Rodgers | 1 | 22.0 | 22 | 0 |
Punt Returns | NO | AVG | LG | TD |
A. Rodgers 3 WR
|
A. Rodgers | 2 | -1.0 | 0 | 0 |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (15:00 - 1st) 29-B.Potter kicks 65 yards from CLE 35 to SYR End Zone. touchback. |
+5 YD | 1 & 10 - CUSE 25 (15:00 - 1st) 21-M.Neal to SYR 30 for 5 yards. |
+2 YD | 2 & 5 - CUSE 30 (15:00 - 1st) 21-M.Neal to SYR 32 for 2 yards. |
+19 YD | 3 & 3 - CUSE 32 (14:28 - 1st) 10-S.Riley to CLE 49 for 19 yards. |
+9 YD | 1 & 10 - CLEM 49 (13:44 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey complete to 10-S.Riley. 10-S.Riley to CLE 40 for 9 yards. |
+3 YD | 2 & 1 - CLEM 40 (13:21 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey to CLE 37 for 3 yards. |
+3 YD | 1 & 10 - CLEM 37 (13:00 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey complete to 5-D.Butler. 5-D.Butler to CLE 34 for 3 yards. |
+18 YD | 2 & 7 - CLEM 34 (12:41 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey complete to 21-M.Neal. 21-M.Neal to CLE 16 for 18 yards. |
No Gain | 1 & 10 - CLEM 16 (12:00 - 1st) 21-M.Neal to CLE 16 for no gain. |
+1 YD | 2 & 10 - CLEM 16 (11:36 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey complete to 10-S.Riley. 10-S.Riley to CLE 15 for 1 yard. |
-2 YD | 3 & 9 - CLEM 15 (11:17 - 1st) 21-M.Neal to CLE 17 for -2 yards. |
Field Goal | 4 & 11 - CLEM 17 (10:36 - 1st) 91-A.Szmyt 35 yards Field Goal is Good. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (9:54 - 1st) 10-S.Hofricther kicks 65 yards from SYR 35. 23-L.Dixon to CLE 16 for 16 yards. |
+19 YD | 1 & 10 - CLEM 16 (9:49 - 1st) 16-T.Lawrence complete to 5-T.Higgins. 5-T.Higgins to CLE 35 for 19 yards. |
-5 YD | 2 & 15 - CUSE 35 (9:44 - 1st) 16-T.Lawrence to CLE 30 FUMBLES. 94-A.Robinson to CLE 30 for no gain. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
No Gain | 1 & 10 - CLEM 30 (9:17 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey incomplete. Intended for 5-D.Butler. |
-3 YD | 2 & 10 - CLEM 30 (9:13 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey complete to 21-M.Neal. 21-M.Neal to CLE 33 for -3 yards. |
No Gain | 3 & 13 - CLEM 33 (9:08 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey incomplete. |
Field Goal | 4 & 13 - CLEM 33 (8:40 - 1st) 91-A.Szmyt 51 yards Field Goal is Good. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
Kickoff | (8:32 - 1st) 10-S.Hofricther kicks 62 yards from SYR 35. 10-D.Kendrick to CLE 17 for 14 yards. |
+15 YD | 1 & 10 - CLEM 17 (8:26 - 1st) 9-T.Etienne to CLE 32 for 15 yards. |
+4 YD | 1 & 10 - CLEM 32 (8:21 - 1st) 9-T.Etienne to CLE 36 for 4 yards. |
No Gain | 2 & 6 - CLEM 36 (7:59 - 1st) 16-T.Lawrence incomplete. Intended for 5-T.Higgins. |
+5 YD | 3 & 6 - CLEM 36 (7:36 - 1st) 16-T.Lawrence complete to 5-T.Higgins. 5-T.Higgins to CLE 41 for 5 yards. |
Punt | 4 & 1 - CLEM 41 (7:28 - 1st) 48-W.Spiers punts 49 yards from CLE 41 to SYR 10 fair catch by 10-S.Riley. Team penalty on SYR Holding 5 yards enforced at SYR 10. |
Result | Play |
---|---|
+8 YD | 1 & 10 - CUSE 5 (7:24 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey complete to 5-D.Butler. 5-D.Butler to SYR 13 for 8 yards. |
+1 YD | 2 & 2 - CUSE 13 (6:58 - 1st) 2-E.Dungey to SYR 14 for 1 yard. |
No Gain | 3 & 1 - CUSE 14 (6:38 - 1st) 4-D.Strickland to SYR 14 for no gain. |
Punt | 4 & 1 - CUSE 14 (6:08 - 1st) 10-S.Hofricther punts 46 yards from SYR 14 to CLE 40 fair catch by 3-A.Rodgers. |