In a game where the Syracuse Orange entered as over 17-point underdogs to the Clemson Tigers, the team rallied together, coming up up with critical plays on both ends of the field to make history on Saturday.
For the first time in program history, Syracuse (3-1, 1-0) is leaving Death Valley with a 34-21 victory, snapping a six-game losing streak versus the Tigers (1-3, 0-2) and earning its third-consecutive win of 2025. Even with an over 90-minute weather delay, momentum stayed on the Orange’s side
from start to finish. Syracuse’s 34 points scored is the second-most its ever had against Clemson, while the defense had multiple fourth down stops during important points in the contest, kept the Tigers in check when it mattered most and forced key turnovers in the fourth quarter.
Steve Angeli finished 18/31 in the air with 224 yards and two touchdowns before a non-contact injury in the third quarter sidelined him for the rest of the game. Rickie Collins filled in and ended up going 3/8 for 34 yards and a touchdown in Angeli’s absence. The passing game was led by a six-catch, 113-yard performance from Johntay Cook and two TD catches from Justus Ross-Simmons. Syracuse had 146 yards on the ground, led Yasin Willis with 18 carries for 94 yards.
For Clemson, Cade Klubnik went 37/60 for 363 yards, three TDs and one interception. Adam Randall had a big day on the ground with 16 carries for 130 yards. The Tigers’ defense allowed over 400 yards for Syracuse, and both teams combined gave up over 900 scrimmage yards..
Syracuse’s offense took the field first and came out with a statement opening drive. Two straight running plays for Willis, including a 32-yard burst, helped push the Orange into Tigers’ territory. Several plays later, Syracuse fans held their breath after Angeli scrambled for eight yards and came off hobbling.
He returned just a few plays later, and the offense picked up where it left off. On 2nd and 13 at the Clemson 29, Angeli connected on 17-yard pass to Cook, then Ross-Simmons made a spectacular leaping catch in the end zone over his defender to put ‘Cuse on the board first. The touchdown score capped off a seven-play, 75-yard drive as the Orange went up 7-0.
But then, Clemson wouldn’t get to see its own offense just yet. Jadyn Oh and the special teams unit for Syracuse executed surprise onside kick on its first kickoff. Just like that, Syracuse had the ball once more.
The Orange immediately faced a crucial call on 4th and two, opting to go for it and converting after Angeli found Cook for a 15-yard game. Two more 13-yard passes to Dan Villari and Ross-Simmons put Syracuse in goal-to-go situation, but the Tigers defense batted two Angeli passes and stuffed Willis, forcing the Orange to settle for a chip-shot field goal by Tripp Woody. The Orange went up 1-0, and with 7:40 on the clock, Clemson was finally getting its offense on the field.
The Tigers quickly capitalized, moving the ball on the ground thanks to some strong running from Adam Randall. Facing its own 4th and short situation, Clemson opted to go for it and ran it ahead for a first down. One play later, Cade Klubnik floated a 38-pass in one-on-one coverage to Bryant Wesco Jr. for the touchdown, trimming Syracuse’s lead down to 10-7. That would be the score heading into the second quarter, but not for long.
Syracuse once again clicked on offense. A top-tap, 19-yard catch by Darrell Gill Jr. sparked another nine-play, 75 yard drive. This time, it was Will Nixon’s turn on the ground. He ran three straight times, including nine yards on 1st and goal in the first play of the second quarter to put Syracuse back up two scores (17-7).
After Clemson’s next drive stalled, Syracuse’s offense returned back on the field and stayed on the aggressive.
The Orange were set up in Clemson territory thanks to two roughing the passer calls against the Tigers. After a pair of rushes by Willis put Syracuse at Clemson’s 22-yard line, Angeli once again connected on a deep ball that was perfectly placed. Gill Jr. secured the catch in the end zone, giving the Orange a 24-7 lead with just over nine left in the second quarter.
Clemson wouldn’t walk away from the second quarter without any points. After each side punted the ball, the Tigers got the ball with five minutes left in the first half. After starting at its own eight, Syracuse’s defense bended and ultimately broke. A four-minute, 92-drive ended with Klubnik hitting Randall for a six-yard touchdown pass.
After Syracuse punted, a 39-yard run by Randall with just seconds left in the half set up Clemson just outside field goal range. The Orange’s defense held on in the end, taking a 24-14 lead heading into the third quarter… which took quite a while to get started courtesy of the weather.
Once the lengthy weather delay subsided, Clemson received the ball to start the third quarter. Randall had three straight carries of 10 yards or more, but the Orange defense held up and forced the Tigers to punt on its first second-half possession. After a stuffed Willis run, Angeli lofted a pass to Cook for 59 yards to get the Orange in Clemson territory, and Woody connected on a career-high 49-yard field goal to bump Syracuse’s lead up to 13.
Both offenses stalled out on their next two possessions, the second of which for Syracuse saw Angeli exit after a non-contact injury. Just when it seemed Orange fans saw momentum fly away, it quickly returned after Antoine Deslauriers punched the ball during a run by Randall. One play later at the Clemson 18, Ross-Simmons made a tough, one-handed catch off the pass from Collins for the touchdown score. Syracuse’s lead now stood at 34-14 with just over two minutes left in the third.
A nine-play, 81-yard drive kept the Tigers within striking distance, the score now standing at 34-21 with nine minutes to go. In under three minutes of game time, Clemson had the ball back once again, but the defense held strong, with that Tigers drive capped off by Davien Kerr intercepting a Klubnik. Another drive for Clemson again resulted in a turnover on downs, sealing the win for the Orange.
Syracuse will be back at home next Saturday to face off against the Duke Blue Devils.
