Instant halftime analysis: Clemson 35, Syracuse 7

by Nikki Hood - Staff Writer - Sat Oct 05 17:18:21 GMT-04:00 2013

SYRACUSE, N.Y. - Welcome to the ACC, Syracuse.

The Clemson Tigers wasted no time welcoming the Orange to the ACC, taking just three plays to score a touchdown Saturday afternoon.

Syracuse didn’t seem to have an answer for the Clemson offense for much of the first half as the Tigers jumped out to a 35-7 halftime lead in the Carrier Dome.

Player of the half: Adam HumphriesAdam Humphries
Jr. Wide Receiver
#13 5-11, 190
Spartanburg, SC
View Full Profile is always a solid performer for the Clemson offense, but Saturday was his coming out party. With all of the weapons on Clemson’s offense, the Syracuse defense must’ve forgotten about Humphries. Humphries caught three passes for 118 yards and two touchdowns. The touchdowns receptions were 60 and 40 yards. He also has three punt returns for 33 yards.

Stat of the half:Tajh BoydTajh Boyd
RS Sr. Quarterback
#10 6-1, 225
Hampton, VA
View Full Profile attempted 187 passes before throwing his first interception of the 2013 season.

What’s working for the Tigers: Boyd was pinpoint accurate during the first half, taking what the offense was giving him while also not being afraid to go deep. The Clemson offense seemed to be clicking on all cylinders for the second week in a row. The Clemson defense was also doing its part, limiting Syracuse to just four first downs and 137 total yards – 66 of those yards came on Syracuse’s lone touchdown of the half.

What’s not working for the Tigers: There’s not a lot of negatives that can be taken away from the first half. The Clemson defense needs to play with gap control on every play to limit the big play. Boyd needs to consistently take what the defense gives him and not look for the big play on every snap.

What the Tigers need to do to win: The Clemson offense needs to do a better job on first down. The Tigers were stopped for a loss or no gain on several of its first half drives leaving the offense to pick up 10-plus yards on second or third downs. Take the pressure off the offense by picking up positive yards on first down.