Clemson (5-3, 3-2 ACC) faces another challenging road matchup against a Syracuse offense gaining momentum behind the return of quarterback Steve Angeli and a group of talented playmakers.
The Orange (4-4, 2-4 ACC) have won consecutive games, defeating North Carolina 31-30 OT on the road and SMU 30-27 at home, with Angeli starting both contests despite being listed as questionable leading up to each game after returning from injury.
Syracuse defeated the Tigers 34-21 in Death Valley last season, one week after Georgia Tech kicker Aidan Birr connected on a 55-yard field goal as time expired to upset the No. 12 Tigers 24-21 in Atlanta.
Head coach Dabo Swinney acknowledged his team struggled to recover from that defeat, which saw the Tigers fall behind 10-0 early and 24-7 in the second quarter the following week.
"I think I didn't have them ready. Period," Swinney said Tuesday. "I mean, sometimes they say don't let a game beat you twice, and I just think that game was a gut punch. I mean, all of a sudden you're 1-2."
"They were tougher, more physical than we were, and punched us right in the mouth."
Angeli played a significant role in Syracuse's victory, completing 18 of 31 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns without an interception before leaving the contest with a season-ending torn left Achilles tendon. Both touchdown passes went to Justus Ross-Simmons, who finished with five receptions for 53 yards.
The Orange also rushed for 155 yards, led by Yasin Willis with 94 yards on 18 carries, while Will Nixon added 46 yards and a touchdown.
Angeli has completed 98 of 172 passes for 1,187 yards, seven touchdowns and five interceptions in five appearances this season. Syracuse totaled 456 passing yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in its last two victories, with Angeli back.
Against UNC, he connected with Umari Hatcher for a 76-yard fourth-quarter touchdown before finding freshman Calvin Russell III for a late touchdown and two-point conversion to take the lead.
Last week against SMU, Angeli scored on a 26-yard run before directing the winning drive, capped by a 2-yard touchdown pass with 21 seconds remaining.
Syracuse Receivers Present Size and Talent
The secondary will face a trio of imposing receivers in Hatcher (6-foot-3), Russell (6-foot-5), and Ross-Simmons (6-foot-3).
Hatcher leads Syracuse with 60 receptions for 952 yards and eight touchdowns, averaging 15.9 yards per catch.
"They got a nice group of receivers, but the Amari Hatcher kid, he just makes all kinds of plays. He's a guy that is crafty, knows how to use his body, knows how to get open," noted Swinney.
Russell has contributed 19 receptions for 194 yards and two touchdowns in five games after recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon suffered March 30 during spring practice.
The two-sport freshman enrolled in January to join Syracuse's basketball team, making his debut against NC State on Jan. 27 before his football debut against UConn on Oct. 3.
"He's a big, long kid. I mean, he's a freshman," Swinney said. "He's got great ball skills."
Russell has seen more opportunities than senior Ross-Simmons, who has 12 receptions for 170 yards in seven games.
"But getting Russell back has been a big shot in the arm for them, as the same with the quarterback," Swinney added.
Hill and Miller Lead Syracuse Rushing Attack
Syracuse also features a productive backfield led by Tylik Hill and Ahmad Miller.
Hill leads the Orange with 515 rushing yards on 98 carries, averaging 5.3 yards per attempt with one touchdown.
Miller has 426 yards on 98 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt, but leads the team with six rushing touchdowns. He has also surpassed Hill in carries and rushing yards in recent games.
Together, the two have combined for 941 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, contributing to a Syracuse offense that has totaled 1,289 rushing yards and 13 scores.
Clemson enters the matchup following a 36-24 road victory over Florida State, but the Tigers will face a Syracuse team that has regained confidence with Angeli's return.
