Clemson Snaps SU Home Winning Streak

Saturday, October 5

Syracuse, NY

3:30 PM

Syracuse University

2-3 , 0-1

Clemson

5-0 , 3-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Clemson

Syracuse

10/5/2013 4:23:00 PM | Football

Box Score

Highlights | Press Conference: Shafer | Whigham | Hunt & Broyld
Box Score | Game Notes | Shafer Quotes | Player Quotes | Clemson Quotes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. — In its inaugural ACC game, Syracuse (2-3, 0-1 ACC) had its six-game Carrier Dome win streak stopped by No. 3 Clemson 49-14 in front 48,961 fans, the largest home crowd for the Orange since November of 2000. Syracuse rushed for 323 yards, sparked by Jerome Smith (125 yards) and Devante McFarlane (95 yards). Clemson's Tajh Boyd matched his own school record, tossing five touchdown passes to lead the Tigers.

Ashton Broyld led all Orange receivers with five catches for a career-high 64 yards. Terrel Hunt completed eight of his 24 passes for 52 yards and rushed for 57 yards on 13 carries. Hunt also made his first career reception in the game on a throw-back pass from Broyld.

The SU defense tallied eight tackles for a loss, including four sacks. Marquis Spruill led all SU defenders with nine tackles, all solo, including two for a loss. The SU secondary intercepted Boyd twice, including one by Julian Whigham in the second quarter to end Boyd's school-record streak of 187 passes without a pick.

Boyd completed 20-of-27 passes for 455 yards in the contest. Sammy Watkins led the Clemson receiving unit, catching four passes for 126 yards, including a 91-yard TD reception in the third quarter. Adam Humphries caught a pair of touchdowns for the Tigers. He finished with three receptions for 118 yards.

Clemson (5-0, 3-0 ACC) was the first to score when Boyd hit Humphries for a 60-yard touchdown 37 seconds into the contest. The Tigers got a one-yard TD run from Zac Brooks, and Boyd connected with Humphries for another long touchdown, this one 42 yards, to go up 21-0 at the end of the first quarter.

After breaking free for a first down in the final seconds of the first period, Smith escaped the Tiger defense again on the next play and ran 66 yards into the end zone to put the Orange on the board nine seconds into the second quarter, trimming the Clemson margin to 21-7.

Boyd responded with TD passes to Stanton Seckinger and Martavis Bryant to give the visitors a 35-7 margin at the half.

In the third quarter, Prince-Tyson Gulley found a hole in the Clemson defense and ran 28 yards for a touchdown with 12:31 remaining to close the gap to 35-14.

The Orange tried to inch closer later in the period, faking a punt on 4th-and-9. The play worked to perfection as McFarlane ran 38 yards deep into Clemson territory, but SU couldn't capitalize on the drive and the Tigers took advantage on the ensuing series as Boyd threw a 91-yard bomb to Watkins to extend the Clemson lead to 42-14. The Tigers added a late touchdown in the fourth quarter to produce the final score.

Next week Syracuse heads to NC State for its first ACC road game. Kickoff is slated for 3:30 on Saturday, Oct. 12 at Carter-Finley Stadium. The game will be televised by the ACC Regional Sports Network.