Freshman signal caller Cade Klubnik brought the No. 5 Clemson Tigers back with two fourth-quarter scores after relieving turnover-prone starter DJ Uiagalelei, and the Tigers were victorious, winning their ACC record-clinching 38th straight game at Memorial Stadium, 27-21, over the No. 14 Syracuse Orange on Saturday. With that win, they broke the previously set by Florida State from 1996 to 2001.
Running back Will Shipley rushed for two touchdowns and had a career day with 172 yards, as Clemson (8-0, 6-0 Atlantic Coast Conference) won their 14th consecutive overall, but not without getting all they could handle from the Orange (6-1, 3-1).
Uiagalelei was intercepted twice and put the ball on the ground for his third mistake and defensive back Ja’Had Carter returned it 90 yards to the end zone, as Clemson trailed by 11, 21-10, going into the locker room.
When Uiagalelei threw his second pick on an off-target pass, Swinney made the change. Uiagalelei understood, telling offensive coordinator Brandon Streeter he just wanted to win.
“It was a bad day,” Uiagalelei said. “There were mistakes I made, things I wish I had back.”
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Uiagalelei tapped backup Klubnik on the helmet and gave him a final piece of advice before the freshman headed to the field with Clemson down 21-10 in the third quarter.
“You’re ready for this,” Uiagalelei said.
The Tigers quickly found their rhythm with highly touted five-star recruit Klubnik at the controls. He led a 15-play methodical 80-yard drive, that ended with backup running back Phil Mafah’s 1-yard touchdown run on fourth-and-goal to go, to slice the deficit to 21-16.
After a punt by the Orange, the Tigers and Klubnik continued where they left off. He began with an 11-yard carry before Shipley burst through the line for the go-ahead, 50-yard touchdown run for a 22-21 lead. Clemson attempted a two-point conversion and Klubnik eluded one would-be tackler in the backfield before connecting with wide receiver Joseph Ngata.
Klubnik pumped his fist in exuberance and the once docile crowd of over 81,000 came to life.
“Just excited to get my moment,” Klubnik said. “It was awesome — such a great environment today.”
Will there be more ahead this year? Perhaps not.
“As far as DJ, DJ’s our starter, DJ’s our leader,” Clemson coach Dabo Swinney said. “Nothing’s changed there.”
Clemson held Syracuse to 119 yards with no points in the second half. Shrader took the Orange all the way down to the Tiger 30, with 32 seconds left in the final frame, but was intercepted by safety R.J. Mickens on his final pass.
Shrader passed for a touchdown and rushed for another. He finished 18 of 26 passing for 167 yards.
“This is the first time we’ve tasted defeat and I want the taste out of my mouth and be back on the right side of it,” Syracuse coach Dino Babers said.
Syracuse came into the game as the ACC’s biggest unexpected threat, with a high-powered offense led by Shrader and the league’s top defense. Both units showed up ready to go in the first 30 minutes of action.
After Shipley’s 1-yard score on the Tigers opening series, Shrader countered with an answer of his own, by shredding the vaunted Tigers defense, completing 4 of 5 passes for 62 yards, with the last a 12-yard swing route to tailback Sean Tucker for a touchdown.
The Syracuse defense was bend but do not break on three straight, that ate considerable time off the clock, with Carter’s interception, his long fumble return score, and a fourth-and-short stop of Uiagalelei to get the ball back for their offense.
Shrader used his running ability with big runs of 21, eight and seven yards, the last for a touchdown that put the Orange up 21-7, right before the half.
Klubnik’s performance was very similar to the Tigers last nailbiter at home versus the Orange in 2018, when backup quarterback Chase Brice came in for injured starter Trevor Lawrence and led a 94-yard fourth quarter scoring drive in the wanning moments for a 27-23 win.
It was certainly a tale of two halves for the Orange, who looked unstoppable and on a mission in the first 30 minutes before cracking under the pressure. Syracuse played undisciplined football resulting in a number of costly penalties down the stretch, contributing to Clemson’s win.
Quarterback controversy? Not so fast. Fans were clamoring for Klubnik to take over for Uiagalelei when the season began after he struggled at times in 2021. While Klubnik was essential to beating Syracuse, Clemson is still Uiagalelei’s team going forward.
Clemson linebacker Barrett Carter, third on the team with 33 tackles, missed the game due to a concussion. He is the latest starter to miss time this season, including defensive linemen Xavier Thomas, Bryan Bresee and Tyler Davis. For Syracuse, top cornerback Garrett Williams did not play after getting hurt against North Carolina State last week. Williams is third on Syracuse with 32 tackles.
Syracuse returns to the Dome to play Notre Dame on Saturday.
Clemson has a bye week before heading to Notre Dame on November 5.
