Clemson produced three gains of at least 36 yards against Syracuse, but none of those possessions ended with a touchdown. The Tigers escaped with an 18-13 victory Saturday, leaving Dabo Swinney with familiar concerns about an offense that continues to make games harder to finish.
Nolan Hauser supplied four field goals, while Jahiem Lawson scored Clemson’s lone touchdown on a defensive return. The offense went without a touchdown on all three of its red zone possessions, continuing one of the team’s most costly problems.
Through nine games, Clemson has reached the end zone on just 11 of 27 red zone trips, roughly 41%. Only FIU has converted those opportunities into touchdowns at a lower rate nationally.
Swinney pointed to several breakdowns during
his Sunday teleconference.
“Just really frustrated with missed red zone touchdown opportunities,” he said. “A dropped ball, a sack, a penalty or a mistake. Disappointed there.”
Clemson had opportunities to establish an early cushion. Jarvis Green opened the game with a 53-yard run, and Tait Reynolds found Bryant Wesco for another 53-yard gain to begin the next possession. Both plays put the Tigers at the Syracuse 22, but Clemson gained just seven combined yards over the next three plays of each drive.
A second-quarter trick play offered another chance when Wesco completed a 36-yard pass to T.J. Moore. That possession stalled at the Syracuse 16, producing another field goal.
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The explosive plays helped Clemson get into scoring position, but the mistakes that followed kept the Orange within reach.
“Good news is we’re moving the ball. Bad news is we’re not capitalizing,” Swinney said.
Clemson has now earned consecutive road victories, but its inability to turn promising possessions into touchdowns continues to leave little room for error.
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This article originally appeared on Clemson Wire: Dabo Swinney on Clemson’s red zone problems, working to get better
