Preview: Syracuse vs. Clemson

Syracuse (3-3, 1-1 ACC) vs. No. 2 Clemson (6-0, 4-0 ACC)
Game Details: Friday, Oct. 13 | 7 p.m.
Location: Carrier Dome | Syracuse, N.Y.
Game Links: Tickets | Listen | Watch | Live Stats
Television: ESPN
Radio: Syracuse IMG Radio Network
Twitter: @CuseFootball | @Cuse
Syracuse Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes
Clemson Links: News | Roster | Schedule | Stats | Notes

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – Syracuse (3-3, 1-1 ACC) hosts the reigning national champion No. 2 Clemson Tigers (6-0, 4-0 ACC) in a primetime matchup Friday, Oct. 13. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. with the game airing on ESPN. Dave Lamont and Mack Brown have the call alongside reporter Jen Lada.

The game is the 1,300th in Syracuse's 128-year football history and will be played in front of friends and family in town for Syracuse University's Family Weekend presented by Preferred Mutual. Tickets start at $45 and are available online (Cuse.com/tickets), by phone (888-DOME-TIX) and at the Carrier Dome Box Office (Gate B).

The largest of crowd of the season is expected. Parking lots around the Dome will open at 3:30 p.m. with activities on the Quad beginning at 4 p.m. Fans are encouraged to arrive early. All Carrier Dome gates will open at 5 p.m.

TAKING DOWN A CHAMPION
Friday's matchup marks the ninth time the Orange will face the reigning national champion since the inception of the Associated Press poll in 1936. Nearly 30 years ago to the day, Syracuse defeated defending national champion Penn State 48-21 on Oct. 17, 1987.

The Orange scored on the first play from scrimmage when quarterback Don McPherson connected with wide receiver Rob Moore for an 80-yard touchdown. Syracuse would go on to score the next 35 points en route to a 27-point victory against the Nittany Lions.

Syracuse owns a 2-6 overall record against the previous year's title winner, defeating the aforementioned Penn State in 1987 and Michigan in 1998.

WEEKDAY WARRIORS
Syracuse owns an 8-5 overall record in 13 weekday games at the Carrier Dome and has won eight of the last 11 non-weekend Dome clashes since the start of 2011. Prior to the 2011 season, 'Cuse had only hosted two weekday Dome games (1989 vs. West Virginia, 2007 vs. Washington). Both were losses.

Overall, the Orange hold an 11-5 mark in weekday games dating back to their 36-34 win against Kansas State in the 2010 Pinstripe Bowl, a game that was played on Thursday, Dec. 30.

OWNING THE THIRD QUARTER
Syracuse has outscored its opponents 69-31 in the third quarter this season. The Orange have scored touchdowns on their first possession of the second half in five out of six games.

PIERCE EMERGES
Junior tight end Ravian Pierce has developed into another valuable weapon in the Orange's arsenal. The junior-college transfer has 19 receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns in his first six games in an Orange uniform. Pierce ranks third on the team in receptions and fifth in receiving yards.

In the club's last contest against Pittsburgh, Pierce snagged nine balls for 99 yards. The Plantation, Fla. native was one yard shy of becoming the first Syracuse tight end to record a 100-yard receiving game since Chris Gedney (103 yards) did so at West Virginia on Oct. 17, 1992.

SCOUTING THE TIGERS
Clemson is in its ninth full season under head coach Dabo Swinney. In his time at the helm, the Tigers own a 95-28 overall record, have won three Atlantic Coast Conference titles, and have advanced to nine bowl games. Last season, Clemson posted a 14-1 overall record and won the College Football Playoff National Championship, a 35-31 victory against top-ranked Alabama.

The Tigers enter Friday's game with a perfect 6-0 overall record and a 4-0 mark in ACC play. The Tigers are one of 13 remaining FBS unbeatens. In its last outing, Clemson recorded a 28-14 win over Wake Forest. Junior quarterback Kelly Bryant completed 21-of-29 passes for 200 yards before leaving the game with an ankle injury.

Bryant is a dual-threat, leading the Tigers in both rushing and passing. The third-year signal-caller has thrown for 1,259 yards and four touchdowns, while rushing for 401 yards and seven scores. He ranks third in the ACC and 19th nationally in rushing touchdowns.

Clemson boasts on the of nation's top defenses. Through six contests, the Tigers lead the ACC and rank fifth nationally in scoring defense, holding their opposition to 11.3 points per outing. The team also leads the league and ranks fifth in the country in sacks at 3.67 per game. Junior defensive end Austin Bryant paces the Tigers and ranks sixth in the FBS with 1.8 tackles for loss per outing.

SERIES HISTORY
Friday's matchup is the sixth between Syracuse and Clemson with the Tigers owning a 4-1 advantage in the all-time series. Clemson has come out on top in each of the past four meetings, including a 54-0 triumph last year in Death Valley.

Last time Clemson came to the Dome was in 2015. The Tigers were ranked No. 1 and managed to hold off Syracuse, 37-27. 'Cuse trailed by 14 points three different times, but managed to make it a one-score game heading into the fourth quarter. Quarterback Zack Mahoney orchestrated the attack, rushing for 76 yards on 10 carries, including touchdown runs of 10 and 12 yards. He was also 8-of-21 passing for 80 yards.

Led by game MVP Donovan McNabb and star wide receiver Marvin Harrison, Syracuse rolled to a 41-0 shutout of the Tigers in the 1996 Gator Bowl, a game that marked the first time Syracuse and Clemson played on the gridiron. McNabb accounted for four touchdowns, completing 13 passes for 309 yards and three scores.

UP NEXT
Syracuse goes in search of its first ACC road win when it travels to Miami to take on the Hurricanes Saturday, Oct. 21. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. and the game will air on either ABC, ESPN or ESPN2.

For complete coverage of Syracuse football, follow us on Twitter (@CuseFootball), Instagram (@CuseFootball) and like us on Facebook (Syracuse Football).

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Players Mentioned

Eric Dungey

Amba Etta-Tawo

Zack Mahoney

Ravian Pierce

Syracuse University Athletics