Syracuse’s perfect season ends in Death Valley as it drops 27-21 heartbreaker against Clemson

Syracuse, N.Y. — Syracuse football’s dream of a perfect season died with a string of late-game penalties, a problem the Orange have failed to fix despite season-long struggles.

Clemson surged back to a lead after spending most of the game trailing, scoring 14 points in less than 7 minutes of possession between the third and fourth quarters. The Tigers then added a game-sealing field goal with 1:33 left on the clock.

SU’s defense was struggling to hang on despite a phenomenal four-turnover game. It’d had no help from the offensive side of the ball, which went the entire second half without a score and kept the ball for only 29 plays.

What for nearly three whole quarters looked like it could be a stunning win by No. 14 Syracuse to upset no. 5 Clemson on its home turf fizzled out into an ugly end, as the Orange fell 27-21.

A near final-minute comeback by Orange, which has pulled multiple off this season, was cut short with an interception when Garrett Shrader targeted Oronde Gadsden II in triple coverage.

The first of the penalties that pushed SU to the edge of the cliff in the game came at the hands of defensive lineman Elijah Fuentes-Cundiff. Clemson was third-and-25 from its own 43 yard line when Fuentes-Cundiff bumped into backup Clemson quarterback Cade Klubnik as he ran the ball out of bounds well short of a first down.

Fuentes-Cundiff was flagged for unnecessary roughness, moving the chains for the Tigers.

Things were still looking okay for SU when another third down came up. Clemson managed the first down on its own as Klubnik picked up eight yards up the middle, but linebacker Marlowe Wax was flagged at the end of the play for a personal foul.

Clemson scored the first touchdown of the second half and its second all game three plays later on fourth-and-1 on a rush by Phil Mafah up the middle.

Syracuse was still ahead, 21-16.

On the ensuing offensive possession, it seemed like SU quarterback Garrett Shrader and company had finally found its offensive mojo for the half. After two shorter completions, Shrader found Oronde Gadsden on third-and-4 for a 19 yard pickup that would’ve put the Orange at midfield.

The conversion was called back for a holding penalty, and Syracuse couldn’t convert on fourth.

And then to cap it all, the Orange were hurt on the next offensive drive by a lack of call. Shrader was shoved in the back as he headed out of bounds on a scramble, and the play did not draw the same call

It was an ugly ending in what had been an awe-inspiring performance by the Orange defense. It forced four turnovers in the first three quarters of the game, and Clemson pulled its starting quarterback DJ Uiagalelei in favor Klubnik in the third quarter.

Ja’Had Carter had a standout game with an early interception and a 90-yard fumble recover touchdown.

Contact Emily Leiker anytime: Email | Twitter

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