Instant Analysis: Syracuse 27 Clemson 24

Rich Barnes / USATODAY

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Fri Oct 13 23:05:02 GMT-04:00 2017

SYRACUSE – Friday the 13th, injuries, a poor defensive effort and coaching mishaps bit Clemson Friday night.

The nation’s longest winning streak was snapped at 11 games as No. 2 Clemson (6-1 overall, 4-1 ACC) fell to Syracuse (4-3, 21) 30-24 in the Carrier Dome on a night that will give Clemson nightmares for quite some time.

The last time Clemson lost a true road game was two years and 11 months ago. The Tigers lost quarterback Deshaun Watson in that game. Tonight, they lost Kelly Bryant late in the first half.

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:Hunter Renfrow continued to prove why he should win the Biletnikoff Award. Renfrow made the impossible plays look easy. He finished the night with five receptions for 64 yards.

DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE GAME:When the coaches look back on this game, there won’t be a whole lot of positives to take away from the defensive efforts. But in the moment, Clelin Ferrell was a man amongst boys Friday night. Ferrell finished the game with seven tackles and five tackles for loss for 25 yards. Unfortunately, it wasn’t enough.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

Let’s face it, only two moments really mattered in this one, despite the few bright spots.

Field Goals….:Alex Spence came into the game just 1-of-3 on the season and he finished the night just 1-of-3. The first-year starter missed from 30 and 38 yards.

Third downs killTwice Clemson had a chance to stop Syracuse on third down on the Orange’s final drive of the game and twice, the Tigers allowed Cuse to run free. Syracuse’s final drive lasted for over six minutes. Syracuse was 8-of-18 on third down, while Clemson was just 1-of-11.

STAT OF THE GAME: Clemson racked up 119 penalty yards – the second most in the last 10 years. Clemson was flagged 11 times – offsides, personal fouls and pass interference contributed to the maligned defense.

UP NEXT:

Clemson gets a much needed off week before hosting Georgia Tech to end the month of October.

Syracuse travel Miami to take on the Coastal Division leading Hurricanes in a 3:30 p.m. matchup.