Stories of the Game: Syracuse 27, Clemson 24

Syracuse knocked off the #2 ranked Clemson Tigers Friday night 27-24 in the Carrier Dome. Clemson's loss breaks the nation's longest winning streak at 11 games. Clemson also had their 12 game road winning streak snapped. 

Heard in the Press Box: 

Quote: "Bryant's hurt. He's not moving around well at all." - speaking of Kelly Bryant's limited mobility seen early in the game.

Rumbled: Trailing 14-7 with 8:31 left in the second quarter, Tanner Muse scooped up a Dontae Strickland fumble and returned it for the game-tying touchdown and giving Clemson a spark of life. The fumble return was Clemson's third defensive score on the road this season. Earlier this season, Clemson's Dorian O'Daniel returned interceptions for scores against Lousiville and Virginia Tech.

Stumbled:  In the first half, Clemson gave up two touchdown drives on Syracuse's first three possessions. The latter was a 66-yard scoring reception by Ervin Philips on a busted coverage setting the tone for the night.

Turning point: With 1:00 left in the second quarter, a limited Kelly Bryant found himself in the arms of Syracuse defender, who slammed Bryant to the turf. Bryant was motionless for a few minutes before walking off the field with the help of two trainers. Dabo Swinney said at the half that, "It looks like he (Kelly Bryant) has a concussion." Bryant would not return to the game.

Unsung hero: Trailing 24-17, true freshman Travis Etienne took a handoff, planted his foot, and put the gas down for his fourth 50-plus yard run of the season. The rush was also his third 50-plus yard touchdown run of the season. Clemson, as a team, had four other 50-plus yard runs since 2013. 

Key stat: For the first time this season, injuries caught up with the Tigers. Clemson lost starting quarterback Kelly Bryant in the first half, and Clemson's backup kicker Alex Spence was 1-3 on the night. Losing Bryant, who was already injured, hurt Clemson, but missing two field goals was the difference in winning and losing at Syracuse.

Scoring Summary: 

First quarter

SYR: TD - Dontae Strickland 23-yard reception: Drive: 10 plays, 72 yards, 3:16 - Syracuse  7 - Clemson 0

CLEM: TD - Tavien Feaster 37-yard run: Drive: 3 plays, 62 yards, 1:07 - Clemson 7 - Syracuse 7

SYR: TD - Ervin Philips 66-yard reception: Drive: 2 plays, 80 yards, 0:39 - Syracuse  14 - Clemson 7

Second quarter

CLEM: TD - Tanner Muse 63-yard fumble return: Drive: 0 plays, 0 yards, 0:00 - Clemson 14 - Syracuse 14

SYR: FG - Cole Murphy 21-yard field goal: Drive: 12 plays, 57 yards, 4:42 - Syracuse 17 - Clemson 14

Third quarter

CLEM: FG - Alex Spence 30-yard field goal: Drive: 7 plays, 29 yards, 2:38 - Clemson 17 - Syracuse 17

SYR: TD - Steve Ishmael 30-yard reception: Drive 4 plays, 82 yards, 1:15 - Syracuse 24 - Clemson 17

CLEM TD - Travis Etienne 52-yard run: Drive 3 plays, 65 yards, 0:56 - Clemson 24 - Syracuse 24

Fourth quarter

SYR: FG - Cole Murphy 30-yard field goal: Drive: 16 plays, 68 yards, 6:04 - Syracuse 27 - Clemson 24

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