Postgame Football Notes - Syracuse University Athletics

Syracuse (1-5, 1-4 ACC) at #1 Clemson (6-0, 5-0 ACC)
Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020
Postgame Notes

Clemson 47, Syracuse 21

THE OUTCOME

Top-ranked and unbeaten Clemson broke open a close game in the second half and went on to win
Syracuse had narrowed the gap to 27-21 in the third quarter, but the Tigers erupted with 20 unanswered points.
The Orange effort was hurt by four turnovers (three interceptions, one lost fumbled), two of which were returned for touchdowns.

OFFENSIVE NOTES

Sophomore Ed Hendrix (WR) had his first career catch in the opening quarter. He hauled in a 10-yard pass from redshirt senior Rex Culpepper (QB). Hendrix ended the afternoon with three receptions.
Freshman Sean Tucker (RB) put the Orange on the board first with his second quarter, seven-yard touchdown run. It gave him three touchdown carries in the last two games (he had two versus Liberty).
Courtesy of @ESPNStatsInfo: Clemson has only allowed 14 points in the first half in five of 32 games against ACC opponents over the past four seasons. Syracuse is responsible for three of those five instances.
Senior Nykeim Johnson’s (WR) 83-yard touchdown reception was the longest of his college career. He had an 82-yard catch and carry against NC State in 2018.
The touchdown play from Culpepper to Nykeim Johnson was the longest completion of Culpepper’s tenure.
Nykeim Johnson added the longest run of his Syracuse time, a 61-yard reverse in the fourth quarter.
Tucker finished with 63 yards on 10 carries, but missed the second half of play.
Redshirt sophomore Anthony Queeley (WR) tied his personal best with five receptions.
Freshman JaCobian Morgan (QB) entered the contest with 4:30 remaining in the fourth quarter. It was his first collegiate action.

DEFENSIVE NOTES

Sophomore Mikel Jones (LB) forced a Clemson fumble in the first quarter that the Tigers recovered. Jones has forced three fumbles this season.
Redshirt freshman Garrett Williams (CB) intercepted a Trevor Lawrence pass and returned it 39 yards for a touchdown late in the second quarter. It was the first theft of his collegiate career.
The interception by Williams gave the Orange a pick in 25 of the last 27 games.
Garrett Williams ended the game with a squad-best eight total tackles, two pass breakups, an interception and a tackle for loss.
Mikel Jones had seven total tackles.

SPECIAL TEAMS NOTES

Redshirt freshman Drew Tuazama (DL) blocked a Clemson punt, ultimately setting up Syracuse’s first TD. It was the first blocked punt for the Orange since Sean Riley executed a rejection against Wagner in 2018.
It was the first time Clemson has had a punt blocked since 2010 when USF managed a block in the Meineke Car Care Bowl. Tuazama’s swat is the first ever blocked punt suffered by the Tigers’ Will Spiers.
With three extra points, redshirt junior Andre Szmyt (K) increased his career total to 114. He moved past Collin Barber (2001-04) into third place on Syracuse’s all-time list. Nate Trout (1996-99) has the school’s record (187).
Redshirt senior Nolan Cooney punted seven times for a 40.3 yard average. He had a long boot of 56 yards and put three of his efforts inside the 20-yard line.

MISCELLANEOUS NOTES

Hendrix became the 14^th first-time starter for the Orange this season. That number ranks first among Power 5 schools and is fifth in the Division I ranks.
Syracuse had another pick-6 earlier this season when Trill Williams returned an interception for a score against Georgia Tech. His runback was 43 yards.
Clemson Heisman Trophy candidate Trevor Lawrence was picked off for just the second time in six games. The effort by Garrett Williams was the first time Lawrence has had an intercepted throw returned for a score.

FIRST-TIME STARTER
Offense