Top-ranked Clemson went into halftime with a 27-14 lead against Syracuse on Saturday at Death Valley, but a couple of special team miscues cost the Tigers points and held them back from a bigger advantage at the break.
Late in the first quarter, a Will Spiers punt attempt from Clemson’s 36-yard line was blocked by Drew Tuazama and recovered by Syracuse’s Markenzy Pierre after Tuazama broke through the middle of the Tigers’ three-man wall of blockers in front of the punter to get his hand on the ball.
The Orange took over at Clemson’s 20-yard line, and four plays later, Syracuse running back Sean Tucker found the end zone from 7 yards out for a rushing touchdown that cut his team’s deficit to 17-7 early in the second quarter.