Clemson sacks Syracuse Football’s chances to extend win streak

Clemson sacked Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli three times Saturday.

The Tigers’ first two sacks merely scuttled the Orange’s offense from racking up any significant points early in the game.

But the third sack arguably would cost Syracuse the game.

With six minutes left in the third quarter, Angeli dropped back, only to be smothered by Clemson defenders shortly after the snap. As he attempted to throw the ball away, Tigers defensive tackle Kourtney Kelly caught Angeli’s arm, spinning the ball into the open field behind him. 

Defensive end Jahiem Lawson scooped up the ball and ran it 22 yards in the opposite direction to score the Tigers’ one and only touchdown in Clemson’s 18-13 win before a SU homecoming crowd in the JMA Wireless Dome.

That touchdown turned out to be the deciding factor as Clemson defeated the Orange 18-13 in the Dome Saturday. 

“He got hit early,” Orange coach Fran Brown said about the pivotal sack. “It was just a little bit off after being hit.”

After impressive showings in its past two wins, the Syracuse offense sputtered in the first half, mustering only a pair of field goals from 16 minutes of time of possession.

Most of Syracuse’s offensive production Saturday came on the back of the running back room, namely Ahmad Miller. 

Miller finished the day with 20 carries for 101 yards, seemingly impossible to bring to the ground at certain points. Especially in the first half, as Angeli was finding his footing, handing the ball off to Miller was the go-to option for the Orange. 

“Just being a running back, you know, never trying to go down by one end,” Miller said. “It’s just like the mindset I have when I’m running the ball. So just keep doing, keep going, keep going.”  

Angeli wasn’t a liability for Syracuse in the first half, but the fifth-year quarterback completed only 10 passes on 24 attempts. Angeli’s only pass to the end zone was a dart just outside to wide receiver Umari Hatcher. 

“With my job and what I’m supposed to be for this team, I have to make those throws,” Angeli said. 

During a late fourth-quarter drive, Angeli connected with sophomore tight end Dante Bacheyie on five consecutive passes, culminating in a 33-yard touchdown and putting the Orange in striking distance for another comeback.

Brown said Bacheyie has the trust of his teammates. 

“It’s not a surprise that he was able to get five straight passes, score a touchdown going in,” Brown said.

Angeli finished the day completing less than 50 percent of his throws, going 18-for-40 for 263 yards, the touchdown to Bacheyie and an interception. 

The highlight of the Orange’s defensive play was an interception by defensive back Davien Kerr late in the first half. The short field gave Syracuse an opportunity to score before half, but time expired before even getting a field goal.

“I would say that we got the offense’s back,” Kerr said. “You know, if they’re not doing what they’re supposed to be doing, we got to be back just like how they are, like their brothers.” 

Syracuse hits the road for two games against North Carolina State and Boston College before returning to the Dome Nov. 28 to play Notre Dame in its regular-season finale.