Clemson Beats Syracuse 18-13 on Jahiem Lawson's Fumble-Return TD as Dabo Swinney Breaks Bobby Bowden's ACC Record

Clemson beat Syracuse 18-13 on Saturday, Nov. 7, at the JMA Wireless Dome. The Tigers’ defense scored the team’s only touchdown and stopped Syracuse’s best chance to take the lead.

Clemson improved to 6-3 (4-2 ACC). Syracuse fell to 4-5 (2-5 ACC).

Swinney passes Bowden

The win was Dabo Swinney’s 118th regular-season conference victory as Clemson’s head coach. According to Clemson Athletics, that breaks Bobby Bowden’s ACC record of 117. It was also Clemson’s sixth straight win in ACC road games.

Jahiem Lawson makes both big plays

Defensive lineman Jahiem Lawson had a hand in both of Clemson’s takeaways.

With Clemson leading 12-6 in the third quarter, Kourtney Kelly sacked Syracuse quarterback Steve Angeli for a 10-yard loss and forced a fumble. Lawson picked up the loose ball and ran it back 22 yards for a touchdown, making it 18-6 with 6:49 left in the quarter, according to Clemson’s recap and the AP.

Later, Syracuse drove to the Clemson 3-yard line. Lawson hit Angeli as he threw, and the fluttering pass fell to cornerback Ashton Hampton for an interception in the end zone. Clemson’s recap puts that pick at 6:48 left in the game, while Syracuse’s lists 6:09. Hampton also led Clemson with eight solo tackles. Kelly, Amare Adams and Lawson each had a sack.

Four field goals from Nolan Hauser

Before Lawson’s touchdown, all of Clemson’s points came from kicker Nolan Hauser. He made field goals of 32, 36, 37 and 54 yards. Clemson Athletics said the 54-yarder was his school-record fourth make of 50 or more yards this season.

Clemson’s first play set the tone. Running back Jarvis Green broke off a career-long 53-yard run to the Syracuse 22, which led to Hauser’s first kick. Green finished with 85 rushing yards.

Syracuse kept it close in the first half with Tripp Woody field goals of 26 and 46 yards. Woody also missed a 32-yarder after three straight incompletions inside the Clemson 14, according to Syracuse Athletics. Davien Kerr intercepted Reynolds just before halftime, and Clemson led 9-6 at the break.

Reynolds closes it out

Freshman quarterback Tait Reynolds threw for 161 yards and ran for 61. Clemson put up 359 total yards. Bryant Wesco Jr. had 100 receiving yards, including a 53-yard catch, and also threw a 36-yard pass to T.J. Moore on a trick play.

Syracuse’s only touchdown came late. Angeli hit Daunte Bacheyie for a 33-yard score to cap a five-play, 74-yard drive, and Tripp Woody’s extra point cut the lead to 18-13 with 3:12 left. Syracuse Athletics described it as a rally that fell short. On Clemson’s final possession, Reynolds converted a third-and-8 with 2:51 left and added a 13-yard run to run out the clock.

Syracuse’s numbers

Angeli completed 18 of 40 passes for 263 yards, with one touchdown and one interception, per Syracuse Athletics. Bacheyie led the Orange with six catches for 82 yards. Running back Ahmad Miller ran 20 times for 101 yards. Syracuse outgained Clemson 380 yards to 359, and its defense did not allow an offensive touchdown.

Scoring summary

• 1st quarter: Hauser 32-yard FG (CLEM 3-0); Syracuse 26-yard FG (3-3); Hauser 36-yard FG (CLEM 6-3)
• 2nd quarter: Syracuse 46-yard FG (6-6); Hauser 37-yard FG (CLEM 9-6)
• 3rd quarter: Hauser 54-yard FG (CLEM 12-6); Lawson 22-yard fumble return TD (CLEM 18-6)
• 4th quarter: Bacheyie 33-yard TD catch, Woody kick (CLEM 18-13)

What’s next

Clemson hosts Georgia Tech next Saturday at 12:30 p.m. ET on The CW for Senior Day, its last ACC home game of the season. Syracuse plays at NC State at noon on the ACC Network, the first of two straight road games before it hosts Notre Dame to close the regular season.

FAQ