Clemson Football: Chase Brice grew up before our eyes vs. Syracuse

Clemson football quarterback Chase Brice grew up before our eyes Saturday afternoon when the Tigers defeated the Syracuse Orange.

All of the story lines surrounding the Clemson football program this week had to do with the quarterback position, but not very many people were talking about Chase Brice.

This week, we’ve heard our fair share of talk and analysis about Kelly Bryant’s decision to transfer and freshman phenom Trevor Lawrence’s first career start.

Unfortunately for Lawrence, he was injured and suffered what we can assume is a concussion of some kind.

When he went down, it was tagged as “Clemson’s worst nightmare.”

All of social media was set ablaze about how the “one thing that couldn’t happen to Clemson happened.”

In stepped Chase Brice.

Brice’s first few drives were nothing to write home about. He was rattled and clearly nervous. His passes sailed high on several occasions and it looked as if the Tigers had no hope on offense other than to ride Travis Etienne and those Clemson running backs.

But, as the game progressed, we began to see something magical happen: Chase Brice grew up before our eyes.

Brice didn’t have to do it all on his own. As a matter of fact, he was helped handily by Clemson’s vaunted rushing attack, especially Travis Etienne who finished with more than 200 yards rushing and three touchdowns. But, you could see him getting more comfortable as the game moved forward.

All of that accumulated in what should go down as a historical moment for this Clemson football program should the Tigers make the College Football Playoff later this year. With playoff hopes and even the ACC Atlantic Division hanging in the balance, Brice and that Clemson offense took over on their own six-yard line down three points.

Travis Etienne, Adam Choice and Tavien Feaster all had huge runs on the drive to take the Tigers from in the shadows of their own goal line to the Syracuse 49-yard line.

But, a false start put the Tigers in a 4th and 6 situation that put the ball in the hands of Chase Brice. Brice delivered with a beautiful pass to Tee Higgins for the first down and much more, a 20-yard gain. On the very next play, Brice called his own number and rushed for 17 yards to the Syracuse 15-yard line.

The Tigers then rode that rushing attack the last 15 yards into the end zone for what would be the game-winning touchdown.

I was so impressed with Chase Brice and how he grew up Saturday. Who knows? This game will certainly help the Tigers in the long run. It shows that Clemson still has a capable backup that can come in and be serviceable if something was to happen to Trevor Lawrence going forward. I know it was just Syracuse, but Chase Brice proved to Tiger nation that he shouldn’t be forgotten. That he is, without a doubt, a capable quarterback and that he is ready for the moment when called upon.