This game was everything I hoped it would be, but with their third string quarterback, Clemson (5-0, 2-0 SEC) avoided the upset with a fourth quarter comeback to hold off the Orange (4-1, 1-1).
Syracuse go the board first with a field goal and then forced a fumble on Trevor Lawrence to set up a short field an another field goal for a 6-0 lead. Travis Etienne got the Tigers ahead with a 1-yard run and a Syracuse fumble set up a field goal attempt for Clemson, but Greg Huegel missed a 47-yard field goal.
The Orange scored the final ten points of the half as Eric Dungey ran in from one yard out and Andre Szmyt to make it 16-7. On Clemson's second to last drive of the half, Lawrence took a shot to the head on a sack by Evan Foster and left the game. The second half would belong to Chase Brice, who was now the back-up after senior Kelly Bryant announced he was going to transfer when he lost the starting job.
Brice shook off an interception on the second drive of the second half to lead the Tigers down for a field goal that cut the lead to 16-10. Clemson would turn a Dungey interception into a field goal and trailed by three heading into the fourth quarter.
It was the Tigers turn to give points away as Amari Rodgers fumbled a punt return that set up a short field for another Dungey 1-yard touchdown run. Unfazed, Clemson got a couple of big runs from Etienne including a 26-yard score that made it 23-20 with 11:08 left to play.
Syracuse looked to be heading for a score when they converted a fourth and one with a big chunk pass play on a jump pass. However, the Orange were penalized as lineman Cody Conway was too far down field when the pass was thrown and Syracuse was forced to punt. Their next drive would end with a punt and they gave the ball back to the Tigers with six minutes to play, but pinned them at their own six.
Brice and Clemson remained composed as they converted a big fourth and six to keep the ball with 2:50 left to play. Brice then surprised the Orange defense as he used his legs to pick up 17 yards. Eventually that set up Etienne for a 2-yard scamper for the go ahead touchdown with 41 seconds on the clock.
Syracuse would implode on the final drive as the Orange were hit with a personal foul penalty on first down, Dungey was hit all the back to New York on a sack by Xavier Thomas and then an illegal shift made it fourth and 17 with 12 seconds left. The Orange were unable to do the impossible and Clemson survived the upset.
Etienne finished with 203 yards on the ground.
Clemson hits the road next as they face Wake Forest (3-2, 0-1) while Syracuse travels to Pitt (2-3, 1-1).
UNC (1-3, 1-1 ACC) trailed by only four going into the second quarter, but the Hurricanes (4-1, 1-0) defense shut things down from their, busting out the Turnover Chain six times in the rout.
The quarterbacks were responsible for all the turnovers as Nathan Elliott fumbled three times and Chazz Surratt was picked off three times in ten attempts, but did score a rushing touchdown.
The Miami defense returned one of those fumbles and two picks back for touchdowns. DeeJay Davis led the way offensively as he carried the ball 11 times for 114 yards and a touchdown.
UNC and Miami will both take a week off. The Tar Heels host Virginia Tech while Miami faces Florida State.
Duke's venture into the Top 25 was short lived as the Blue Devils (4-1, 0-1 ACC) were throttled by Virginia Tech (3-1, 2-0) who shook off their disastrous loss to Old Dominion.
Ryan Willis threw for 332 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Hokies, who started in place of the injured Josh Jackson. Daniel Jones returned to the starting role for Duke going 23-of-35 for 226 yards with a touchdown and a pick. Neither team had their running games going as Virginia Tech finished with 81 yards while the Blue Devils had just 71.
The Hokies will host a big showdown with Notre Dame (5-0) while Duke takes a week off before heading to Georgia Tech.
NCST (4-0, 1-0 ACC) fell behind 7-3 after the first quarter, but used a 17 point surge to close the first half and close the door on Virginia (3-2, 1-1).
Ryan Finley threw for three touchdowns while Ricky Person Jr. took advantage of some playing time with 14 carries for 108 yards. Kelvin Harmon and Emeka Emezie each had over 90 yards and a score receiving for the Wolfpack.
Bryce Perkins threw for two touchdowns, but also had two interceptions. Olamide Zaccheaus led the Cavaliers in receiving (109 yards, two scores) and rushing (2 carries 39 yards).
NCST will host Boston College (4-1, 1-0) while Virginia takes the week off before host Miami.
Florida State (3-2, 1-2 ACC) used a big second half to knock off a struggling Louisville (2-3, 0-2) squad.
Jawon Pass tossed two touchdowns and ran for another in the first half to put the Cardinals up 21-7 at the end of the first half. However in the second half, Deondre Francois throw three of his four touchdown passes in the second half including the final TD that probably should have never happened.
With only two timeouts the Seminoles needed a stop trailing 24-21 with around two minutes left. The Cardinals converted, but instead of bleeding out the clock, Louisville elected to throw on first down. Pass had his attempt picked off by A.J. Westbrook who was already having a good day with a game high ten tackles. It took Florida State just five plays before Francois and Nyqwan Murray connected for a 58-yard touchdown. On their final drive Pass would be picked off again to wrap up the Florida St comeback.
Louisville will host Georgia Tech (2-3, 0-2) on Friday while Florida State heads to Miami (4-1, 1-0) on Saturday.
The Owls (2-3) pushed Boston College (4-1) early, but used an 18-point second half to build a big enough lead to hold off Temple.
The Eagles were dealt a tough blow though in the beginning of the second half when running back A.J. Dillon left the game with an ankle injury. He finished the game with 28 carries, 161 yards, and two touchdowns. His replacement was no slouch though as Ben Glines had 23 carries for 120 yards and a score in relief.
Anthony Brown was just 15-of-33, but did throw two touchdowns. One of those touchdowns went to Jeff Smith, who returned the favor by throwing a 9-yard touchdown to Brown that put the Eagles up 38-21.
Temple made it interesting late, but BC was able to hold off the rally and Gines punched it in for a 1-yard score.
The Eagles face a tough task on the road next as they head to NCST to go against the undefeated Wolfpack (4-0, 1-0 ACC).
Wake Forest 56-Rice 24It was not close in Winston-Salem as Wake Forest (3-2) built up a 42-3 halftime lead to cruise past Rice (1-4).
Sam Hartman threw for 241 yards and four touchdowns, with all four going to Greg Dortch. Dortch hauled in 11 receptions for 163 yards. Cade Carney had two rushing touchdowns in the win. The Wake defense forced three turnovers and allowed just 103 yards passing.
The Demon Deacons host Clemson (5-0, 2-0 ACC) next.
The Falcons (1-4) had no answer for the option attack as Georgia Tech (2-3) ran for eight touchdowns and 372 yards in the rout.
The Yellow Jackets were led by quarterback Tobias Oliver on the ground as he had seven carries for 115 yards and two scores. Jordan Mason and starting QB TaQuon Marshall both had two rushing touchdowns as well. The Georgia Tech defense forced three turnovers.
Next up is a Friday night showdown in Louisville (2-3, 0-2 ACC).
The Pitt Panthers (2-3) had no answer for McKenzie Milton, who scored all six touchdowns for the Golden Knights (4-0) to keep the nation's longest winning streak (17) in tact.
Rafael Araujo-Lopes had an 86-yard punt return that started the scoring for Pitt. Maurice Ffrench added a 58-yard touchdown reception that came with UCF leading 45-7.
Pitt welcomes Syracuse (4-1, 1-1 ACC) next.
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