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Clemson silences Syracuse: Analysis, Box Score, Stats

By Shawn Spencer

SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers grabs Lakiem Williams #46 of the Syracuse Orange's face mask during a game at the Carrier Dome on September 14, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
SYRACUSE, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Tee Higgins #5 of the Clemson Tigers grabs Lakiem Williams #46 of the Syracuse Orange's face mask during a game at the Carrier Dome on September 14, 2019 in Syracuse, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
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The Syracuse Orange came out talking a big game, but it was the Clemson Tigers who had the last laugh in the match up Saturday night in the Carrier Dome.

The Clemson Tigers entered a hostile environment Saturday evening when they played the Syracuse Orange in the Carrier Dome.

More than 50,000 fans packed into the dome for the first sellout in a few decades, but they were leaving by the early portion of the fourth quarter as the Tigers methodically put Syracuse away.

Clemson got the scoring started when Trevor Lawrence found Amari Rodgers in the back of the end zone for a 16-yard touchdown pass with 10:29 left in the first quarter. The Tigers scored again with 5:34 remaining in the first quarter on a one-yard run from Lawrence.

Syracuse would kick a field goal to bring the game back within 11 before the two teams traded field goals to give us a halftime score of 17-6.

The Tigers took over, though, as the second half got underway. Though Lawrence threw an interception on the first drive of the second half, Mario Goodrich came away with a pick inside the 5-yard line on the next play, changing momentum for good. Amari Rodgers busted off an 87-yard touchdown and all of a sudden Clemson was up 24-6 and the Tigers never looked back.

Box Score:

Stats via ESPN:

Passing- Trevor Lawrence 23-of-42 for 391 yards and 3 TDs, 2 INTs.

Rushing- Travis Etienne 14 carries for 76 yards; Chez Mellusi 1 carry for 57 yards, 1 TD; Trevor Lawrence 4 carries for 42 yards, 1 TD.

Receiving- Tee Higgins 7 receptions, 150 yards; Amari Rodgers 4 receptions, 121 yards, 2 TDs; Justyn Ross 5 receptions, 64 yards.

In total, the Clemson defense gave up just 187 yards. Syracuse had just 10 first downs the entire night and 15 total rushing yards.

Analysis:

The Tigers methodically took control of this one. The defense was absolutely dominant basically from start-to-finish.

They gave up a couple of big plays, but came up with huge stop after huge stop in the red zone. Syracuse could never get in a rhythm and that is a credit to Brent Venables and that vaunted pass rush that the Tigers brought all night.

Offensively, there’s still some work to be done.

The Tigers left a lot of points on the field, but still scored 30+. Clemson had to settle for a couple of field goals when it should’ve gotten into the end zone and it’s clear that the offense is still not in sync or rhythm at this point.

dark. Next. Can Clemson just leave the ACC already?

There were definitely some high points for the offense also, especially the big play from Amari Rodgers that officially put the Orange away. It was nice to see Trevor Lawrence exit on a touchdown pass to Frank Ladson Jr. and I think we’ll see the Tigers improve as the season progresses.

In the end, it’s absolutely amazing that we are talking about Clemson winning a game 41-6 and saying that the offense still has work to do. Oh, how far the Tigers have come.

Clemson will host Charlotte at 7:30 p.m. in Death Valley next Saturday. Make sure you check back here on Rubbing the Rock for in-depth post-game coverage and analysis.

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